Ten Tips to Protect Your Mental Health During Quarantine

As the months of the Coronavirus outbreak stretch on and families continue to quarantine as much as possible, mental health has become a priority. The isolation and lack of socialization that has come along with quarantine can have a devastating impact on an individual. Educating yourself on how to protect your mental health has become just as important as educating our children from home.

Here are ten tips on how you can protect your mental health and boost your mood during quarantine.

1. Establish Routines– Make a to-do list to help with productivity. Create a daily schedule to help structure the home environment for yourself and your children. Plan activities beforehand to keep a steady flow of things to do together and have less down time.
2. Take care of your body– Simply eating a much healthier diet and getting a good night sleep does wonders for your mental health. Eating junk food while stressed can greatly affect you as well as having sleepless nights.
3. Be active as possible– Daily exercise, such as a walk around the block and getting some fresh air instantly boosts your mood. It is a great way to combat the sense of boredom from being stuck inside all day.
4. Breathing exercises– Practicing breathing exercises daily are a great way to clear your mind and help you relax in your home.
5. Writing– Keeping a journal of your feelings and experiences during this time is very therapeutic and allows you to reflect back on your state of mind.
6. Reach out to friends– Stay connected with friends by calling, texting, zoom meetings or social media. This provides you a sense of human connection and limits the feelings of isolation.
7. Fight boredom– Discover new hobbies or plan projects that will take time. Having an activity that is new and exciting to you or working through the steps of an extended project are a great way to break of the monotony of the day and to fight boredom.
8. Focus on the positives– Good news stories and honoring frontline workers gives an instant mood boost as well as focusing on what good things quarantine has brought to your family (quality time and memories.)
9. Stay informed but not overwhelmed– Stay informed from watching reliable news sources, but limit the amount of exposure you have to the constant news to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
10. Children can also be stressed-Remember that this time of unknowns is just as stressful for children as it is adults. Keep children informed of what is happening and why with age appropriate information. A wealth of resources have been developed over the last several months that explains quarantine and the Coronavirus in a way that they can understand.

If you still feel your mental health is suffering, please consider reaching out for professional help. Many agencies now provide mental health services over the phone.