7 Simple steps to reduce Mental Stress In Self Quarantine
By Ronnie Deno
In this article, we’ll discuss how to handle stress while under self-quarantine for Covid-19 and offer practical suggestions for boosting your mental health.
Introduction
Self-Quarantine is difficult even for those who generally handle mental stress well. Your regular life has been turned upside down, and you may have experienced a loss of your job and income.
You’re stuck inside most of the time and you have to look for activities to keep you occupied. You may also have children at home who would usually be at school.
Some people are at home all day with family and not accustomed to that situation. Others are alone, and that can lead to loneliness and isolation.
And everyone is concerned and stressed about the consequences of this virus and what type of future it presents.
What is the best way to handle this situation when it comes to your mental health?
How Does Mental Stress Affect Your Health?
Mental stress has a tremendous impact on your mood, behavior, and sense of well-being. If the stress is transient, you can generally manage to get through it using coping strategies. If the situation is longer term it can impact your health.
In particular, it can put you at risk for experiencing depression and different types of anxiety. Research indicates (1) that anxiety may precede depression in response to a stressful event. A study of the 2003 SARS epidemic revealed a high amount of psychological distress due to the effects of quarantine. About 30% of the subjects were found to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In addition, stress can lead to physical health problems. The research on social isolation and loneliness indicates that this type of stressor can cause cardiovascular, inflammatory, hormonal, and sleep-related issues (2). Naturally, this can increase your mental health problems.
There are some things you can do to enhance your resilience, and deal with your mental stress in a healthy way. Let’s consider 7 steps you can take to make your self-quarantine easier.
7 Simple Steps to Reduce Mental Stress
1. Follow a Schedule
It’s really important to get up each day with a plan and a purpose, even though you’re stuck at home in quarantine.
Take a shower and get ready for the day as you normally would. Plan some fun, healthy things to do like going for a walk, catching up on your reading, or doing some work if that’s possible.
If you have a plan and a list of things to do it will give each day more purpose. You’ll avoid spending the day aimlessly and accomplishing little, possibly leading to depression. Give your day meaning and goals.
2. Talk to People
Even though we’re practicing social distance right now, thanks to technology there’s still ways to keep in touch. It’s really important for your mental health to communicate with the people you love during this time.
Reach out to your friends and family on a regular basis and talk. You can’t hug, but you can still communicate on a video or phone call and get the love and support you need from those around you.
3: Exercise your body
One risk of sitting at home in quarantine is the possible lack of physical exercise. You’re probably used to a lot more activity, and this can impact your mental health. Research shows that people who exercise have fewer days of poor mental health.
The natural solution during this period of time is to walk. You can easily go for walks while still social distancing. Make it a point to take a walk for at least half an hour a day, and it will improve your mental health considerably.
If you’re really not comfortable walking around outside, build a routine in the house. There are plenty of exercise videos online, so pick one and follow along.
If you’re in quarantine with family, you could even do it as a group activity. There’s nothing like a healthy lifestyle for boosting your mood.
4 Exercise Your Brain
While you’re at home in quarantine, it’s important to keep your brain active. This is especially true if you’re not working anymore. To boost brain power, do puzzles and other mental activities, read, or research subjects that interest you.
Keeping your mind occupied is good for your mental health. This will also ensure that when you do get back to your regular life, your mind is still in top shape.
5. Find the Joy
There’s joy in your life, and it’s really important to remember that during self-quarantine. Practice the things you love and remember what they are. Play with your children. Hug your pets.
Rediscover your love for cooking, or reading, or knitting. Wherever you find joy, remember to make it part of your life during this difficult time.
6. Ask for Help
If you’re having a difficult time with your mental health, reach out and ask for help. You may be experiencing depression, loneliness, or different types of anxiety. Other people are feeling some of the same things, and these are emotions you shouldn’t keep to yourself.
You can call a friend, and there are also hotlines available in every city where you can phone and speak to someone. If you’re having a hard time, keep in touch with your doctor. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, “health care workers have an important role in addressing these emotional outcomes as part of the pandemic response.”
7. Remember the Reason
Sometimes it helps just to remember the reason we are all doing this. We’re in battle with an illness and we’re working hard to flatten the curve. We want to prevent ourselves and our friends and family from getting sick. These are important goals to keep in mind, and it makes it a little easier handling this period of self-quarantine.
Memory Supplements
If you really want to boost brain power, consider trying a memory supplement during the quarantine period. These products can enhance your memory, focus, and cognitive performance.
One of the best nootropic supplements on the market is Provasil (3). This product is a blend of 15 herbal ingredients which maximize cognitive processing. It gives you razor sharp focus and improves your memory. This supplement is also rich in vitamins.
Conclusion
The self-quarantine period for Covid-19 is a challenging time in the world, and everyone is feeling the effects of it on some level. The consequences of being confined at home can be very difficult on our mental health and can lead to anxiety or depression.
However, there are steps you can take to combat these feelings. Make sure you communicate with others, keep your mind sharp, find things you love to do, and follow a healthy lifestyle. Reach out for help when you need it. This quarantine period will not last forever, and you want to make sure you come out of it in the best of health.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/016517819502765O
https://www.aginglifecarejournal.org/health-effects-of-social-isolation-and-loneliness/
https://www.healthwebmagazine.com/memory-supplements/provasil-reviews/
Author Bio
Ronnie Deno is a health writer specialising in the Wellness and healthcare niche
About The Author