Isolation and Mental Health

by | Mar 31, 2020 | Anxiety & Depression, Coping During COVID-19, Emotions & Moods, Stress

At this time staying home (in isolation) to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus is an act of safety, solidarity and kindness.

But no longer having interactions with the people we did before and changes to work and routine can be especially hard to deal with. Then, add in the health precautions and uncertainty, and a lot of feelings can come up. These are complex emotions, but there are helpful strategies for coping and moving through this period of time.

Some of the feelings you may experience are:

  • Fear/anxiety
  • Anger
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Feeling more depressed
  • Frustration
  • Sadness
  • Helplessness

7 Tips for Coping Well While Staying Home During COVID-19

  1. Stay in the present moment….. dealing with what’s in front of you wards off feelings of hopelessness.
  2. Create a routine that includes exercise, 7 or 8 hours of sleep, preparing healthy meals, connecting and hobbies or something that inspires you.
  3. Spend quality time with friends and family….. In-person if you can while being physically distant (2 metres apart), on a video call or on a phone call.
  4. Feel your feelings as much as possible rather than escape or avoid them.
  5. Practice moments of stillness with meditation or focusing on your breath. Try it right now… breathe in……. breathe out.
  6.  Take time off from technology to just be… walk outside or look out the window.
  7. Ask for help if you need it… reach out to someone trusted.

Liz Coleman, RTC, is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor based in Surrey, BC. She specializes in anxiety, anger, insecurity, and relationship problems. If you have any questions about this article or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Ms. Coleman at (604) 809-8947 or use the convenient form on her Contact page.