The coronavirus has put the world on "pause" and forced most of us to stay at home. By maintaining physical distance from others, we reduce our own risk of infection, as well as the risk for older and more vulnerable groups. None of us has experienced a situation like this before, where saving lives involves staying at home.
Although many of us often longed for a day off, staying at home can quickly turn into a psychological challenge as we are forced into it, which can leave us feeling restless and stressed. A significant part of our stress stems from fear and potential losses caused by the virus.
Many of our daily routines and habits are suddenly unfeasible as they were linked to other people and our social interactions. We must reshape our new daily life to meet not only our financial and material needs but also our psychological and emotional needs while maintaining necessary physical distance.
To face the challenges of this pandemic, we need to be aware of how this new situation affects our mental health. Here are five challenges brought by isolation and how we can successfully overcome them:
1. Challenge of Movement
Despite our advanced cars and high-tech smartphones, at our "core," we are very much like animals. We all have an inherent need for movement and physical activity. Being forced to stay at home can make this a significant problem.There is a strong correlation between physical movement and psychological health. Most people acknowledge that it would be wise to exercise more. Now, with most of the world's population forced to stay at home, this "guilt" is more apparent than ever.
The antidote to lack of movement is, of course, active physical engagement! Although we can no longer go to gyms and fitness centers, it doesn’t mean we have to give up physical activity entirely. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and jumping jacks require little space and no additional equipment.
Regularly perform exercises for strength, flexibility, agility, and balance. Your body and mind will thank you.
2. Challenge of Staying Connected to Nature
When we walk through a forest, we can notice the following changes: we feel more energetic, our bodies move more easily, and our mood improves. Nature has a direct and measurable impact on our well-being.Fresh air, direct sunlight, and the smell of plants all affect us physically and mentally. Even the sound of birds can contribute to positive effects. When we stay indoors for extended periods, we miss out on these benefits and suffer from their absence.
So make the most of your outdoor walks. Fully immerse yourself in nature, notice insects, focus on the scent in the air, feel the warmth, the sun, and the grass under your feet.
Look at the sky, observe the clouds, feel the breeze. Listen carefully and see if you can hear nature through the chirping of birds or the rustling of trees. Taste nature. Your well-being will improve.
3. Challenge of Meaning
We enjoy routines that give us a sense of stability and meaning in our lives. Fulfillment can come from work, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Many of these activities are not entirely feasible under isolation measures.Some have lost or will lose their jobs. Team sports and group activities currently pose health risks. Spending time with someone outside our household is not allowed. Many aspects of our lives that previously brought us fulfillment are suddenly no longer possible.
Now is the time to explore what truly gives meaning to our lives and find new approaches and activities that align with our deepest desires. We may no longer be able to attend exercise classes with our band, but we can still study music theory and practice on our own. We may not be able to visit our grandmother, but we can still call her. We may not go to work, but we can still find ways to help others.
Reflect and redefine what brings you fulfillment and meaning in life. Later, we may find that this time has also pointed out things we would never have discovered without the #stayathome mandate.
4. Challenge of Responsibility
When we have to stay at home, it’s easy to "lose ourselves" as we no longer have the usual structure of our daily routine. We no longer wake up to an alarm clock or need to get up at the same time every day. Many tasks can be postponed because our schedule is not as full. There’s no bus to catch, and we don’t need to clock in at work.It is not good to do nothing. It is beneficial to embrace the challenge of self-responsibility. After all, this is a challenge we might face later in life as well.
Decide when you will wake up and stick to it each morning. Plan when to start work and when to take breaks or rest. Read that book you wanted to; practice that new skill you’ve wanted to develop. Work on personal growth in a way that suits you.
The challenge of self-responsibility becomes more real if you share your plans with a partner or friend. Don’t let yourself off the hook by shifting responsibility onto them – by sharing commitments, you commit yourself internally, and your goals are known to others. We perform better when we are connected with others than when we are alone. Use your support network to help you with your chosen goals and values.
5. Challenge of Connection
We all yearn for mutual connection. This is one of our deepest desires. If you asked a hundred people what is most important to them, nearly everyone would say it’s connection with others.When we face social isolation, we deny our deep need for connection. Research on orphans has clearly shown how a lack of connection can negatively impact psychological and emotional well-being. And the longer the isolation lasts, the more we notice and feel its effects on our mood and well-being.
Physical distance provides greater health safety, but social distance does not impact this. Even if we are at home, we can be connected with others much more than before isolation.
During this period, listen more, don’t try to be interesting, keep yourself engaged, talk to friends, send them shared photos, try a group quiz, confide in loved ones, share your fears, concerns, hopes, and dreams.
The feeling of connection with others transcends mere physical contact. It is important to be emotionally available to others, to have others available to us, and to remind ourselves that these experiences are shared with billions of people worldwide.
Each of these five challenges has its unique content. This content can appear as a "problem" or frustration, but if we look deeper, it can also represent a challenge and an opportunity. By directing our energy towards growth, we can become richer, more fulfilled, and freer.
Adapted from Psychology Today; The Five Challenges of Staying at Home