How To Combat Feelings Of Isolation In Quarantine

One way our communities are trying to combat COVID-19 from spreading is to “practice social distancing” from others. However, if you have been exposed to someone who was positive for COVID-19 or you have the virus yourself, you will need to “self-quarantine” for approximately 2 weeks. Self-quarantine means you should avoid all social contact by staying home and limiting activities in public spaces.

If you share your living space with others, you will need to find a place in the home that will limit contact with all other roommates or family members. Many people will say this is very hard because they feel lonely, bored, frustrated or irritable. In addition, when individuals are in quarantine, they need to rely on more help from others and this can feel uncomfortable.

There are many activities you can do to cope with feeling lonely and isolated from others. This will help you to feel better while you are in quarantine!

Connect with Others

• Socialize as much as possible with friends and family using the telephone to talk or text with others or send emails to keep in touch.
• Talk “face to face” with others using Skype or FaceTime
• Play with your pets. They will love your attention
• Play a game on-line.

Connect by Helping Others

• Making masks at home for others
• Draw something nice you can give to someone else.

Connect with your Doctor or your Therapist

• You can call your doctor or other health care provider and ask to schedule a “telemedicine” appointment. This means you can meet using FaceTime or through a “Zoom” meeting.

Connect with YOU!

• Watch your favorite funny movie or show. Laughing helps us to feel better.
• Sing out loud. No matter if you like your voice or not, singing out loud can help lighten your mood.
• Smell things you like to smell.
• Draw something nice for yourself.
• Get good sleep
• Take a shower or bath
• Accomplish a few small tasks (setting goals, even if small goals and feel good that you got it accomplished)
• Establish a new quarantine routine. Tell yourself, “this isn’t forever”. Decide when you will clean or do things around the house.
• Even though you can’t leave your house, get dressed. It’s easy to never get out of your pajamas or sleeping clothes since you not be going anywhere. However, it can make you feel better to change your clothes and put something nice, but comfortable on.
• Exercise. Even though you need to stay away from others, you can be active in your home by walking more, go up and down stairs if they are available or if there is an open green space, you can go for a walk outside away from others.