Coping With Being On Lockdown

​During these difficult times, we currently find ourselves in a state of social distancing thanks to the Corona Virus (COVID-19). A virus that unfortunately has taken many lives, has left others fighting to live and the rest of the population adjusting to a new lifestyle. And many of us are not used to this new way of living no matter how “brief” it may be.

Being an introvert for most of my life, this new way of living is nothing new to me. I’m used to the social distancing, the being inside a lot, and have managed well. Introverts are used to isolation and thrive better in it at times than in social settings. But our extroverts may be finding it difficult to cope with the idea of being confined into one place for a long period of time. And I think the words Isolation or Confinement can scare a person into thinking that they are restricted. You are not completely restricted so relax.

Thankfully we all have minds that are never-ending. We are capable of entertaining ourselves for hours and even days. Now granted we also have places such as bars, restaurants, and other social settings to help stimulate our minds even further and make for some great outings with other people. But just because that is taking away, doesn’t mean it is the end of the world. Here are a few things that one who finds themselves stuck after five days of isolation can do to keep your normal lifestyle going for the time being.

Communication Is Key

As humans, we need socialization. We need human contact. It is a key point to our mental psyche to be able to talk with another human being throughout our days. And we have seen signs that the mind can begin to fall into a distant state of separation the longer you don’t have that human contact. You start to hear and see things that aren’t there. Well, I’m here to say that no need to worry, you’re not at that point. And probably won’t be.

One of the best things about living in this day and age is that we have the technology that even if we’re not in the same room as another person, we can still communicate and have some form of human contact. From Facetime, Skype, Google hangouts, Echo, and more, there is an abundance of apps and devices that can allow us to connect with those we know. We are never really alone.

It is a great way to keep up with everyone that you would if it was a regular day. So my advice would be to schedule some time each day you’re in isolation to not only communicate with those in your household but friends, co-workers, and distant family members as well. Set aside an hour within your day to pick 1 to 2 people to chat with about anything. Or if you have a following, set aside some time to go live on your Instagram account and chat with your following. Or text someone you know but normally don’t chat with as much. Maybe they are feeling the same way as you and both of you could find out things about one another that you probably wouldn’t have on a regular basis.

Not to mention, if you’re in an area that is not on complete lockdown, visit a neighbor to see how they’re doing or if they need anything for a set amount of time. But be sure that they have not tested positive of course. There are so many people on this planet for us not to find or know someone new each day. So let’s see how many people you can interact with each week.

Focus on What You Can Control

Many of us have routines. They are something that keeps us motivated and going because we have put ourselves on a daily plan of activities to do. We have work, the gym, shopping, meetings or interviews and more that make up our everyday lives. A small disruption can be handled but when it’s a larger disruption for a longer period of time, we may find ourselves falling apart. It is as though someone has taken away our prize possession and has refused to give it back. This is where your mind should adapt.

Focus on what you can control in your current situation rather than what you can’t. I understand that for some this is a lot easier said than done. But it’s not impossible. Right now with many of companies closing or closed and the workforce either shutting down or being limited, there are ways to incorporate an alternative routine. Once again we look to technology and online being our best friend.

With many companies moving to a work from home format, some may find it a bit difficult to adjust with combining your workspace with your home space. That is why you should find a room or designated space in your home to temporarily transform it into your workspace. This would be a space that you would only use during your scheduled work hours and it should be treated as such. Even if you have to bring some of your office or desk space from work to home, make this space as familiar to your job as possible. This would bring some form of familiarity to your new way of life for the time being.

For those who the gym is their lives, this doesn’t mean the end of the world. Some gyms throughout the country are starting to offer online classes for their members and those interested. This is a great way to continue with the routine you have built for yourselves. And if all else fails, there’s nothing like the good old playground. There are many ways to still get in your daily exercise without having to enter a gym. The key is to always have alternatives set in place for situations like this. Don’t focus on what you can no longer do but more on what can be changed so that I can continue to do what you used to. 

There’s Never “Nothing” To Do

All right, here comes the fun part. We have witnessed the shutdown of sports, concerts and other fun activities over the past few weeks. And trust me, I’m just as crushed as many others that my sports have been taken away from me. And while Netflix, YouTube and Hulu make for good entertainment on the days I’m not working, it can begin to grow old day in and day out. Luckily for me, I came from an era where finding things to do was the highlight of my day. 

​I’ve heard from others that they are going insane because they’re bored and have nothing to do. There is never “nothing” to do. Take a page from the past because while many things have moved to our phones, there are still board games, card games and video games in the world. Sit down and play Monopoly, The Game of Life or Checkers with someone in your house. Or for our bettors and gamblers out there, a friendly game of Spades, Blackjack or Poker with a small wager of course. 

​Don’t wanna play games, read your favorite book, or a book you’ve never read before or write a book. You just may come across a talent you knew nothing about. Or if you’re a big kid like me, use your imagination to come up with a story, hell act it out even if it’s just you alone. Music is a great way to past time. Go through your old collection of music and reminisce. Research a hobby that interests you and get to work. Build a fort even if you’re an adult. Might sound silly but trust me, when you’re in the middle of building it, you’ll see how fun it is. Or go outside and take in this rare moment of life and enjoy your surroundings.

Despite having to go through this pandemic, this is a good time to discover something about yourself and what’s out there, even in isolation. Your mind is the best entertainment you could have during this time. So feel free to let go of the norm and standards and see where your mind leads.

Cabin Fever is Real So Remain Calm

Now that we’ve worked on our communication, adapted our routines, and let our mind run free this final thing should be a distant thought. But if you’ve gone through everything above and you still feel a sense of restlessness and intensely irritable then you may be experiencing Cabin Fever. Cabin Fever usually occurs when there is intense isolation which can lead to a specific phobia. Some symptoms to look out for are:

• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• Sadness or depression
• Trouble concentrating
• Lack of patience
• Food cravings
• Decreased motivation
• Social Isolation
• Difficulty waking
• Frequent napping
• Hopelessness
• Changes in weight
• Inability to cope with stress

If this becomes severe, please be sure to seek the proper assistance such as a Therapist to help guide you through. But if you are experiencing a mild case then there are steps you can take to combat this disorder. Get out of the house when you can and experience the world outside those walls. Maintain some normal eating habits. Avoid binge eating and limit eating foods that are high in sugar and drink plenty of water.

A good way to avoid this is to continue to eat right and get your exercise on a regular basis. Set daily and weekly goals while in your home and keep track of your progress. And most importantly, Use Your Brain. Stimulate your mind with puzzles, crafts, reading, board games, etc.

Conclusion

No one said that isolation would be easy. But it’s not impossible to deal with. While it may seem like your life has been turned upside down, now’s your chance to show how resilient you truly are. And if you need help on what to do, reach out to me. I have a mind that can go on for years on things to do. Leave a comment below and share how you’re coping with social distancing.

Until next time this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive and nothing’s impossible!!

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