by Abigail Cooper
Time off school, sleeping as long as you like and not having to go anywhere that you don't want to. Sounds great, right? Most people would agree with you, until it happens and then you realise you have nothing to do, nowhere you can go and cannot see anyone for the forseeable future. This snap back to the reality of self-isolation is what millions of people are facing right now, including yourself, but that doesn't mean you have to go mad. Social distancing can seem like a Herculean task, but there are several ways of coping well, including exercising, taking up a hobby and seeing other people.
While you are being told to "protect the NHS and save lives", it's easy to forget about your own personal wellbeing. One of the most important ways to look after yourself is to exercise. It can be very easy to use self-isolation as an excuse to take it easy, but in fact this will only make things worse. Extensive studies have found that exercise releases the natural mood, lifting hormones called endorphins, which go a long way in making you feel good. In fact, a significant percentage of people who have had depression have said that exercise has helped them to recover. Remember that, even though you're only allowed to go for one form of exercise a day, there is no time limit to this activity, so you can be out for as long as you like; just remember to keep your distance from others.
Staying on the topic of wellbeing, it's also vitally important to take care of your mental health. One way to do this would be not to speculate or overthink the advice given to you. It is so simple to hear all of this (often contrasting) advice on how to stay safe during these difficult times and make up worst-case scenarios in your head. This is dangerous, because stress can actually lead to a weakened immune system or make you think you have the virus, even if you don't. Just take one day at a time. Also, it is easy to go "stir crazy". When my friend was recovering from a major operation, he found that he would often be bored and that would lead to negative thoughts. He found that taking up a hobby (in his case, writing poetry) was such a powerful tool to have when it came to his self care. So, learn from my friend, and take up an activity that you never thought you would. Any progress no matter how small will give you a sense of self worth; you'll free proud about your new skill and those endorphins will be released again! Lastly, make sure you listen to your body. Don't forget to do the basics right. Remember to wash your hands, eat regularly, and sleep well, to keep yourself in the best possible position.
The last thing to remember is to continue to see people. Now, I don't want you to break the Coronavirus laws and go and meet up with ten different people in two days; that will only put you, others and the NHS at more risk than before. What I mean is that you need to keep in touch, through any means possible. This not only looks after you, but it will help the people you talk to as well. This contact can be in any form you like, whether that's spending ten minutes on FaceTime to a friend or writing an isolated older relative a letter. Also, remember that you can go out with or spend time with the people you live with. Making others feel good and not alone through communication will only boost your self-esteem and help you not to feel lonely.
Overall, it is entirely possible to "not be lonely whilst being alone". Looking after yourself properly is important, now more than ever. Remember to keep active, take time for yourself and keep in touch with others. Self-care and self-isolation really can go hand in hand.
 |
| Room in New York by Edward Hopper |
Time off school, sleeping as long as you like and not having to go anywhere that you don't want to. Sounds great, right? Most people would agree with you, until it happens and then you realise you have nothing to do, nowhere you can go and cannot see anyone for the forseeable future. This snap back to the reality of self-isolation is what millions of people are facing right now, including yourself, but that doesn't mean you have to go mad. Social distancing can seem like a Herculean task, but there are several ways of coping well, including exercising, taking up a hobby and seeing other people.
While you are being told to "protect the NHS and save lives", it's easy to forget about your own personal wellbeing. One of the most important ways to look after yourself is to exercise. It can be very easy to use self-isolation as an excuse to take it easy, but in fact this will only make things worse. Extensive studies have found that exercise releases the natural mood, lifting hormones called endorphins, which go a long way in making you feel good. In fact, a significant percentage of people who have had depression have said that exercise has helped them to recover. Remember that, even though you're only allowed to go for one form of exercise a day, there is no time limit to this activity, so you can be out for as long as you like; just remember to keep your distance from others.
Staying on the topic of wellbeing, it's also vitally important to take care of your mental health. One way to do this would be not to speculate or overthink the advice given to you. It is so simple to hear all of this (often contrasting) advice on how to stay safe during these difficult times and make up worst-case scenarios in your head. This is dangerous, because stress can actually lead to a weakened immune system or make you think you have the virus, even if you don't. Just take one day at a time. Also, it is easy to go "stir crazy". When my friend was recovering from a major operation, he found that he would often be bored and that would lead to negative thoughts. He found that taking up a hobby (in his case, writing poetry) was such a powerful tool to have when it came to his self care. So, learn from my friend, and take up an activity that you never thought you would. Any progress no matter how small will give you a sense of self worth; you'll free proud about your new skill and those endorphins will be released again! Lastly, make sure you listen to your body. Don't forget to do the basics right. Remember to wash your hands, eat regularly, and sleep well, to keep yourself in the best possible position.
The last thing to remember is to continue to see people. Now, I don't want you to break the Coronavirus laws and go and meet up with ten different people in two days; that will only put you, others and the NHS at more risk than before. What I mean is that you need to keep in touch, through any means possible. This not only looks after you, but it will help the people you talk to as well. This contact can be in any form you like, whether that's spending ten minutes on FaceTime to a friend or writing an isolated older relative a letter. Also, remember that you can go out with or spend time with the people you live with. Making others feel good and not alone through communication will only boost your self-esteem and help you not to feel lonely.
Overall, it is entirely possible to "not be lonely whilst being alone". Looking after yourself properly is important, now more than ever. Remember to keep active, take time for yourself and keep in touch with others. Self-care and self-isolation really can go hand in hand.
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments with names are more likely to be published.