Combat Loneliness During Self-Isolation
Updated: Jul 6, 2020
For those who are already homebodies, staying home feels great, but you still have the option to come and go as you please. To have that choice stop suddenly can be hard to deal with and to have that choice taken away from you can have adverse effects on your mental health. This pandemic is wreaking havoc on everyone, but for those who struggle with mental health challenges these times are hard - especially if you are feeling lonely.
Do Something Meaningful - having a sense of purpose can help combat loneliness because it keeps your mind occupied and that your life has importance.
Make masks for those in the medical field
Explore ways to connect and volunteer virtually
Make a donation
Connect With Friends and Family - there are plenty of ways to stay in contact with the ones you love whether you are comfortable with technology or not.
Send a handwritten letter or postcard
Call loved ones
Set up Zoom or Facetime calls
Text or DM
Connect With Others Online - you can combat being lonely by participating in online groups and exchanges as well with ‘friend’s or others with whom you have something in common.
Join and and participate in a facebook group about topics in which you have interest
Sign up for online forums about your interest and hobbies
Join online sports games
Join QuarantineChat, a service specifically set up to help people connect during quarantine
Find Other Sources of Comfort - finding healthy ways that can bring you comfort when you’re feeling lonely can help tremendously when it comes to taking care of your mental health.
Take a bath
Listen to your favorite music
Cook a healthy meal
Dance and sing around your home
Get Creative - when you create something, you can get so caught up that time passes because you are enjoying what you are doing! Here are few creative projects in which to get involved.
Start that blog or write that book Sis
Poetry or short stories
Journaling
Put together a puzzle
Adult coloring books
Paint by number
Plan For Tomorrow - thinking about the future can help motivate you, let you know that your loneliness won’t last forever and you will eventually get back to your routines (new and old).
Make a list of the things you want to do when the isolation is over
Pick an area of your life that you want to improve and make a list of goals
Plant spring/summer bulbs
Plan to do something to celebrate when isolation is over
It is VERY important to take care of your mental health when social distancing because of the stress it can cause. However, let me say that if these ideas, suggestions and activities don’t help and your mental health challenges are making it hard for you to function, please seek help immediately.
My 2 Cents -
I’ve been saying it for weeks now, but be patient with yourself. Your emotions are going to be all over the place, and that's ok - don’t feel guilty about it.
No one has the answers for what we're going through because we have never experienced something like this before so make sure you do practice healthy ways to take care of yourself
You don’t have to feel lonely during this time, find ways to reach out to people so that you find ways to connect with others with the same interests as you
If you have social anxiety and are weary of reaching out to others, talk to your therapist about ways to try to make connections. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed, we all struggle with something and we all need help too.
If you need ways to destress during this pandemic, here’s the link to last weeks post
I really hope this blog has helped you, if it did email me so I know how - (bloggers need encouragement too ;)
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*I am not a licensed therapist. This post does not serve as a form of therapy or diagnosis. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or your doctor.