6 Steps for Staying Well During Isolation

You have found out that you are covid positive through a Covid PCR or by a self-testing kit. In both cases, you will now have to isolate. Staying well during isolation is a process. Some days you’ll feel like a million bucks, and on others, you might struggle to stay upright. We’re here for you no matter what, and we’ve got some resources to help you stay well during this difficult time. Here are six steps for staying well during times of prolonged isolation and disturbance:

1. Keeping a Routine:

• Making a schedule and writing it down.
• Following a working schedule if you’re working remotely.
• If work is on pause, create a new daily schedule for yourself and stick to it
• Consider one 2-3 hour block of focused activity in the morning and another in the afternoon
• Starting a project you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t had time.

2. Take Care of Your Body for staying well during isolation:

• Keeping your sleep schedule regular – A good night’s sleep is critical for our health. Isolation can throw off your sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Don’t linger in bed once you’re awake—get going
• Eating healthy food and drinking lots of water — eating a balanced meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner will make you less tempted to stress-binge.
• Meditating or Exercise regularly
• Keep active! – Walk, run, bike or do some stretches.
• Focusing on self-care – Set aside some time each day to do something for yourself that helps you relax.

3. Nurture Your Social Connections

In a time when you can’t see many people, it’s important to maintain the relationships you have with friends and family. This is a time to connect more than ever.

• Calling someone – Hearing someone’s voice is almost as good as seeing them in person. If you’re feeling down, call someone that always makes you laugh and see if you can cheer each other up.
• Reaching out digitally! – Schedule video chat with friends or family.
• Planning a virtual group fun activity that you all enjoy, e.g. book club.
• Checking in on your neighbors – a bit of extra support can go a long way during hard times.
• Staying connected to people over social media by sharing photos
• If you live with others, remember to lift them up emotionally

4. Find Purpose

Studies have shown that people who find a sense of purpose in their lives live longer, healthier lives. Therefore, now, more than ever, it’s important to find something that gives you a reason to keep going. So, how do you find purpose in these hard times?

• First, remember this is temporary and things will all go back to normal real soon.
• Starting a journal
• Pondering upon life’s purpose and simultaneously on your actions. It’s important to find meaning in what you do every day and not just when life is going well.
• Staying connected with a sense of meaning, even if it is small.
• Finally, getting creative.

5. Take Care of Your Emotions: Seek Joy

Staying safe during the pandemic is a stressful time for most. It’s important to relax and enjoy yourself to stay emotionally healthy.

• Make a list of things that bring you joy and keep it handy. Engage in positive activities.
• Watching your favorite movie or TV show
• Cooking a special meal
• Seek playful activities—music, dance, and games
• Redirect your attention to what brings you happiness
• Try this what-went-well-today exercise

6. Keep Your Worry in Check 

Anxiety is our mind’s way of getting us to pay attention to threats so we can problem-solve. If used for problem-solving, we can call it our friend. But, if it is bothering you and creating feelings of unrest in you, then it needs to go away. Here are some ways that you can use to deal with your anxiety during this stressful period.

• Try to limit how much you’re watching newscasts and reading stories online.
• Only read or listen to information from reliable sources.
• Take a break from social media
• Practice deep breathing
• If it’s not working, don’t be reluctant to get help.
• The U.S. Department of Defense built soldiers’ resiliency by teaching them to “decatastrophize.” Learn this powerful technique