Dealing with COVID Isolation

Photo by Nandhu Kumar from Pexels

Unless you are an introvert, you are probably struggling with the isolation that has come with dealing with this virus. Actually, even people I know that are introverts are struggling with it. All we can do right now is focus on what we can control. If you are struggling, here are some pointers you can try.

1. Go ahead and feel your feelings whether they are feelings of anger, sadness, anger, frustration, or all of the above. I read recently that even Goldie Hawn says she cries about 3 times a day. Get it out and it usually makes you feel better.
2. Reach out to old and new friends and family. Whether it’s online, by phone, or meeting and socially distancing, keep in touch with your friends and family. Even make new friends, i.e. on Nextdoor.com, a neighbor posted that she was looking for someone to walk around the neighborhood with, and I answered it and I now have a new friend and someone to motivate me to exercise.
3. Remember what coping skills you’ve used in the past and use them again, even drinking a little (not drugs and alcoholism however) wine or beer. But think, reading, writing, exercising, taking up a new hobby, listening to music, even watching TV. I especially like to find comedies on Netflix as we all need to find reasons to laugh right now.
4. Set some goals. I know it’s hard to set goals, especially if you feel depressed or anxious. But it’s important to plan a future, whether it is large, like writing that book about your life or like cleaning out the basement. Having goals can give you a sense of control. And don’t get mad at yourself if you aren’t that motivated. Break the goals down into small tasks, like write one page about your life or go through that one box in the basement.
5. Go outside into nature, whether it’s for a walk to a park, or to garden, or just sit in the sun for a while. Get that vitamin D, breathe that fresh air, get a little exercise. I pulled a few weeds today on the way to the mailbox and mowed the lawn yesterday.
6. Everyone says to eat healthy food and that will help in the long run, but also eat food you enjoy too like giving yourself a little treat each day.
7. Journal. But be careful when you journal, don’t just put negative things in your journal or it might keep you feeling bad. You can put in what you are feeling even if it’s negative, but then try to write down several things you are going to do to try and feel better.
8. Say positive self-mantras to yourself, even if you don’t believe them or feel that way at the moment. We can often talk ourselves into believing them. Example: “I’m happy, I’m smart, and I’m not afraid.” Then try believing it.

Let’s all hope and pray that our situation gets better soon, but in the mean time these coping mechanisms might help us until it does.