Feeling stressed or isolated,
staying home is the best way to protect yourself from the virus,
but it isn't easy
many people will be anxious, nervous, or even depressed.
Cabin fever and feelings of isolation are real.
Here are some tips to help you both mentally and emotionally.
Try to limit your news to a few trusted sources.
Such as the Center for Disease Control or your local health agency.
Rumors and speculation are not helpful.
Some of the advice can even be harmful.
Immersing yourself in unverifiable information
can get your mind spinning in all the wrong ways.
Before you start obsessively reading news articles,
ask yourself is this going to be helpful?
Is constantly refreshing your browser to see
the same statistics benefiting you in any way?
As fast as news is changing,
most of the crucial information still occurs in 24-hour Cycles.
Take a break from the news when you can, and as often as you can.
Number two, have you been tired and less productive?
Your fight or flight reflex is still there,
but there's nothing to run from and nothing to fight.
So your mind is working hard for no particular reason.
Feeling tired because of this is perfectly normal.
Experts often tell people to exercise.
It releases chemicals, like endorphins and serotonin,
that can improve your mood, and can make you feel better.
If possible, try to maintain an exercise routine
or come up with some home-based workout plan.
Even five minutes of stretching
will provide you with mental health benefits.
If you can still maintain safe social distancing, go outside and
run, bike, walk, or just try and get your heart rate up.
Number three, it sounds obvious,
but be sure to do things besides check your social media.
Try and occupy your time with something that feels good to you,
start a new hobby, or learn some new skills,
even giving yourself permission to binge TV or play games can help.
Number four, have the days started a blend together for you?
Make sure you get plenty of sunlight.
If you can't go outside, try to hang out near a bright window.
Sunlight is a part of your circadian rhythm,
and that's a very important part of your sleep schedule.
Rest is essential for your mental health right now,
and it's more important then a lot of people realize
Number 5, stay socially connected.
Find creative ways to stay in touch with friends online,
be that through social media, video chats,
communities that have similar interests.
Remember isolation can lead to depression,
even in people who usually don't show symptoms.
Feeling overwhelmed is normal and you're not alone.
If you'd like, you can join our supportive group chat,
which is a safe space you can talk freely about your struggles.
You can also visit us at GiveUsTheFloor.org
to keep the conversation going.
Be kind to yourself and take some time for self-care.