It is unlikely that any of us until recently could have predicted the coronavirus epidemic. Today, in the conditions of quarantine and self-isolation, when firms and institutions are closed, various projects are canceled, it would not be an exaggeration to say that almost all of us are at a loss and suffer from loneliness.
“I can say with confidence that a huge number of people experience similar feelings all their lives (loneliness, loss, uncertainty about the future) due to emotional problems in childhood. And in the current situation, they get a double dose. But even those who grew up in psychologically well-off families can now experience horror, feelings of loneliness and helplessness. But rest assured, it can be dealt with,” says psychotherapist Jonis Webb.
Even in such a situation, we can try something new, which previously did not have enough time and energy due to work, to-do and stress.
“I am confident that we will be able to survive the hardships caused by the epidemic. And not just survive, but use this opportunity for growth and development,” says Jonis Webb.
How to do it? Here are some effective ways, and even though at first glance, many of them are not related to psychology. Actually it is not. All of the following will help not only improve your emotional state during quarantine, but will also benefit in the long run, I’m sure Jonis Webb.
1. Get rid of the excess. Do you have a real chaos at home, because there is always no time to clean? Quarantine is perfect for this. Sort things, books, papers, get rid of everything unnecessary. This will bring great satisfaction. By putting things in order, you prove to yourself that you can control something.
2. Start learning a new language. This not only trains the brain, but also makes it possible to join a different culture, which is especially useful in today’s global world.
3. Start writing. No matter what you write about, in any case, you will give your inner self the opportunity to express itself. Do you have an idea for a novel or memoir? Would you like to tell about some interesting period of your life? Are you tormented by painful memories that you never fully comprehended? Write about it!
4. Clean hard-to-reach places in your home. Dust behind cupboards, under sofas, and other places you don’t normally reach.
5. Learn new recipes. Cooking is also a form of creative expression and self-care.
6. Discover new music. Often we get so used to our favorite artists and genres that we stop looking for something new for ourselves. Now is the time to add variety to the usual repertoire.
7. Unleash your musical talents. Ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar or sing? Now you have time for this.
8. Strengthen your relationship with someone important to you. Now that you have free time and energy, you can make progress by taking your relationship to a whole new level.
9. Learn to better understand your emotions. Our emotions are a powerful tool, by developing emotional skills we learn to better express ourselves and make the right decisions.
10. Practice meditation and mindfulness. Meditation will help you find the center of inner balance and teach you to better control your own mind. This will make you more resilient in stressful situations.
11. Make a list of your strengths. Each of us is different. It is important not to forget about them and consciously use them when necessary.
12. Try every morning to thank fate for the fact that you and your loved ones are alive and well. It has been proven that gratitude is the most important component of happiness. No matter what happens in our lives, we can always find reasons to be grateful.
13. Think about what goal you can achieve only thanks to quarantine. It can be any healthy and positive goal.
14. Call an important person for you, with whom you have not communicated for a long time due to being busy. This could be a childhood friend, cousin or sister, aunt or uncle, school or university friend. The resumption of communication will benefit both of you.
15. Develop useful career skills. Take a training course via the Internet, read a book on an important topic for your work. Or just hone your skills, bringing them to perfection.
16. Choose an exercise for yourself that you will do every day. For example, push-ups, pull-ups or something else. Choose according to your shape and capabilities.
17. Help others. Find an opportunity to help someone (even if through the Internet). Altruism is as important to happiness as gratitude.
18. Allow yourself to dream. In today’s world, we desperately lack this simple joy. Allow yourself to sit quietly, doing nothing and thinking about everything that comes into your head.
19. Read a «difficult» book. Choose any that you have planned to read for a long time, but did not have enough time and effort.
20. Sorry. Almost all of us sometimes feel guilty because of some past transgressions (however unintentional). You have the opportunity to get rid of this burden by explaining and apologizing. If it is impossible to contact this person, rethink what happened, learn lessons for yourself and leave the past in the past.
“What we, adults, feel now, during forced isolation, is in many ways similar to the experiences of children whose emotions are ignored by their parents. Both we and they feel lonely and lost, we do not know what the future holds for us. But, unlike children, we still understand that in many ways the future depends on ourselves, and we can use this difficult period for growth and development,” explains Jonis Webb.