Safeguarding Your Mental Health during the Quarantine Period

The move that would have been unthinkable just months ago, quarantine and social distancing have now become conventional worldwide as governments make collective efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak. This outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. It can be an overwhelming cause of strong emotions like fear and anxiety in both adults and children. 

Thus, it is important that we have things to do in coping with stress that will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. This doesn’t mean that dealing with the disruption in your routine is easy, but taking care of your mental health is essential.

People react differently to stressful situations.  How you respond to the outbreak depends on the things around you, the people you live, or the community. So, taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can ease in coping with stress. Helping others deal with their stress can also make your community stronger. People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Here are some things to do to cope.

Establish Routines

A daily routine is the most challenging aspect of quarantine, as this can leave you feeling directionless in trying to figure out how to fill all the hours of the day. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic can be upsetting. Try to plan out activities that will keep everyone busy so, and at the same, you can get some work done. Make your routines and break up the day to stave off monotony.

Be As Active As Possible

Just for short periods of physical inactivity can have an impact on your health, both mentally and physically. It could even start reductions in muscle mass and metabolic effects. But, the good news is, there are plenty of at-home workout ideas, exercise videos, bodyweight exercises, online workouts, or fitness apps that can help keep you moving even when you are stuck inside the house. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or make time to unwind. These are all great ways to combat the sense of boredom and malaise being stuck at home all day.

Reduce stress in yourself and others

You can make an outbreak less stressful by sharing the facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about. Connect with others and talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. It can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them.

For parents

Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way, an apparent reason why parents have to deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently. Remember that kids are stressed, too. Have a talk to children about the COVID-19 outbreak in an informative, age-appropriate, and reassuring way. Focus on maintaining a sense of structure at home and model healthy, positive behaviors. This will help manage your anxiety while calming the fears of children in your home.

Find ways to protect your mental health during this outbreak. Find some things to do to keep yourself busy, keep in contact with others by phone and social media. Eat healthy foods and always stay positive. More smiling; less worrying at your Orange County home! 

Blogs about things to do like this are sponsored by Toyota of Orange, the Toyota dealer near Anaheim, and is the number 1 dealer in Orange County.