If you have been advised to self-isolate or be quarantined it is important to keep your mental health strong. Some suggestions to help you at this time and to reduce your fears and concerns are to keep your body-mind healthy.
- I suggest you wake up as normal and dress casual smart as if you are going to go out;
- Use the time positively as you don’t need to rush for the train or the bus to get to work and do things you have not had the chance to catch up on household chores;
- Clean and de-clutter your home;
- Catch up with pending paperwork at home;
- Have longer showers or baths;
- Enjoy your breakfast, lunch and supper – do take your time to nourish yourself well;
- Drink water throughout the day;
- Keep up with exercises that you can do at home, like yoga, stretching and if you have steps, go up and down them a few times a day. There are plenty of exercises on YouTube that you can do at home even using a simple chair;
- Call up and talk to your friends, family and colleagues and use FaceTime, Skype or any online video facilities to keep in touch so you are not alone;
- Practice your meditation or learn to meditate;
- Do something you haven’t done before, like an online course or paint or draw;
- Watch movies especially comedies as laughing can heal many ailments;
- Read books;
- Do puzzles and crosswords to keep the brain active;
- Reduce watching, listening or reading the news on coronavirus as this can increase stress and anxieties, however, keep updated on the NHS guidance on coronavirus that will not take more than 1 to 5 minutes to keep abreast of what you need to do and of any government decisions.
These recommendations aim is to help keep your body and mind strong.
If you are worried and anxious about the coronavirus and the effects it has on your yourself, your family, friends and colleagues and you need to talk contact me via Skype, phone and FaceTime counselling and therapy on 07985 387 021.