Staying inside and distanced from others seems simple enough, right? Not necessarily.
We are all going through a world-altering experience, one that our children will study in their history classes. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing isolation, we have all had to change the way we live to stay safe.
For many students, this means moving from an active lifestyle filled with extracurriculars, deadlines, and a busy social life to a limited, more stagnant lifestyle. The change was also unprecedented—sweeping many off their feet and putting them into challenging positions. Dealing with a pandemic and isolation is not easy.
Here are some tips that can help you face isolation by taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Personal hygiene is one of the bases of self-care. [Graphic by Jillian Piper]
The basics: hygiene and routine
First and foremost, proper personal hygiene is important and is one of the bases of self-care. During this particular time, it is essential to protect yourself and others. Don’t forget to wash your hands, be aware of what you are touching, and be a role model for others to curb the virus.
Then comes the hard part, making a routine. This sudden change to our world removed the structure out of many peoples’ lives, so it’s up to each of us to work on bringing some elements of it back. We should have a routine for personal hygiene practices, even if we aren’t going out into the world. These practices can be related to self-care, such as doing your nails or trying out new hairstyles. Plus, a long bubble bath is always a fantastic way to relax.
Physical activity can increase emotional wellbeing. [Graphic by Jillian Piper]
Stay active and creative
Staying active is tied to forming habits and routine—and it’s not always easy for everyone. While there are restrictions, depending on where you are, there is a lot you can still do while maintaining physical distance between yourself and others. Search up your government’s restrictions and find out if you can go on a hike or stick to walking around the neighbourhood. Just don’t forget your mask! Keeping active during quarantine has helped boost my mood in addition to my physical health.
If you now work or study from your kitchen or bedroom, it can also be hard to separate the two and balance what you do during the day. Get creative, and start working on a new hobby or simply find a mindless activity to work on such as painting, baking cookies or learning a TikTok dance. I’ve been learning how to crochet for a couple of months, as well as learning how to cook. Not only can I use these skills later on, but they help me take my mind off of my current situation.
Maintaining online connections is a form of self-care. [Graphic by Jillian Piper]
Maintain connections and support online
Luckily, most of us have access to the Internet and ways to connect with people outside of our isolation bubble. Make a habit out of texting or calling friends and family. This is especially crucial if you are feeling lonely in your home, whether you are isolating alone or with others. Keep in touch, talk about your experience, and seek support if you need it.
Another benefit of our digital age is the wide variety of resources it brings at the few clicks of a button. For example, the Cam’s Kids Foundation provides free confidential support if you’re struggling with anxiety, simply by texting “CAM” to 686868.
However, despite how important it is to stay connected, try keeping part of your day or week offline to recharge. Personally, going offline both forces me to find something different to do with my time, as well as gives me a break from the overwhelming amount of content I consume. Once again, the idea is to strive for balance.
Digging deeper: Give yourself a break
This can be taken in many senses, as everyone reacts differently to change. Maybe you’ve decided to work even harder because of the additional time these new circumstances have presented, which can lead to overworking yourself. For others, isolation can lead to a lack of motivation which manifests into guilt and anxiety (I am of the latter group). Whichever group you are in, one of the best ways to care for your mental health during this time is by giving yourself some slack, and learning how to cope with this reality.
Even though isolation started months ago for many people, things are constantly changing and it can be hard to keep up. Allow yourself to process your situation. Practise being mindful and honest with yourself to help your mental state. Do what you can, whether that is finally finishing that manuscript you’ve been putting off since last Christmas or simply fixing your sleep schedule. Work from there, but make a habit out of giving yourself a break if things don’t go as planned.
It’s hard to know when and how things will progress, but keep your chin up! You’re doing great!
Featured graphic by Jillian Piper.
