10 Effective Strategies for Boosting Mental Health during Quarantine
The Bot Wrangler The ongoing global pandemic has added unseen pressure to our everyday lives, impacting our mental well-being significantly. Being in quarantine or practicing self-isolation can make life quite challenging, stirring up feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. During this time, maintaining good mental health becomes as crucial as maintaining physical health. Here we provide ten effective strategies to help boost your mental health during a quarantine period.
1. **Maintain a Regular Routine**: Routines can create a sense of normalcy, which is particularly beneficial during uncertain times. Try to wake up, eat, sleep, and carry out your daily activities as you would have done pre-quarantine. This sense of structure can reduce anxiety.
2. **Limit News Consumption**: Constant exposure to news about the pandemic can trigger or exacerbate anxiety and panic. Decide on one or two trustworthy sources, limit checking updates to once or twice a day and avoid checking the news right before bed.
3. **Stay Physically Active**: Regular exercises play an important role in preserving mental health. Physical activity releases brain-friendly chemicals and helps to manage feelings of anxiety and depression. Indoor workouts, yoga, or dancing to your favourite tunes can do wonders!
4. **Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude**: Being present in the moment can help to limit anxiety and prevent emotional exhaustion. Take time daily to reflect on the things you are thankful for. This practice can shift your mindset to a more positive one.
5. **Stay Virtually Connected**: In the era of technology, social distance does not need to lead to social isolation. Regular calls, video chats or game nights with family and friends can help you feel connected and supported.
6. **Indulge in Self-Care Practices**: Dedicate time for relaxation and self-care. Enjoying a warm bath, reading a book, playing an instrument or pampering yourself with an at-home spa can reduce stress and contribute to overall happiness.
7. **Sustain a Healthy Diet**: Consuming nutrient-rich food can boost energy and decrease feelings of fatigue. Ensure you are drinking enough water and not succumbing to unhealthy snacking.
8. **Engage in Creative Activities**: Creativity can be a natural anti-depressant. Writing, painting, knitting or cooking can help express hidden emotions and foster a sense of accomplishment.
9. **Implement a Tech-Detox**: Spending excessive time on screens can lead to feelings of anxiety and restlessness. Set aside specific tech-free times during your day, this could be during meals or before bedtime.
10. **Seek Professional Help**: If feelings of anxiety or depression become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Many health care providers offer tele-health consultations during quarantine.
Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. There’s no roadmap for the current situation, so it’s natural to have good days and bad. Following these strategies can help in alleviating the negative impacts on mental health during quarantine. Always seek professional assistance when required. You are not alone in this, and we will navigate through it together.