Fight Off Isolation Depression

With the recent developments and responses to COVID-19, or Coronavirus, many people have gone into isolation or self-quarantine for extended periods of time. It seems that a higher number of individuals have expressed severe anxiety or depressive symptoms during these periods. My hope today is to give you some insight into how you may combat such feelings - not only in these troubling times - but in everyday life.

Pick up a new (or an old) hobby

As tempting as it might be to sit and watch Netflix all day, being productive and having a feeling of accomplishment is what drives us forward as humans. It is amazing what kind of creativity can come out of boredom.

Now is the best time to try that thing you never had time for - or to get back into that old hobby. Try drawing or painting. Pick up an instrument. Open up that cooking book your grandmother gave you. If you fail, so what?! There is no one there to judge you. Try new things and challenge yourself. Not only will it give you a sense of purpose, but you may discover something new about yourself.

I heard a someone state that this isolation can lead to the next renaissance. Wouldn't it be great to say that you were a part of that? Maybe you will create a great masterpiece. Maybe you will discover a new talent. Maybe you will just gain an appreciation for a new kind of art. There really is nothing to lose in creating.

Exercise

Many studies have shown that regular exercise can improve mood and overall health. Endorphins released during a workout make us feel happy and improve focus. I won't even mention the physical side effects everyone knows. Regular exercise should be a part of your everyday routine, but it is even more valuable in times of desperation.

If you are like me, you may be stuck living in a small apartment with no equipment and a climate in which going outside is not feasible. No worries! There is plenty you can do at home with no equipment or experience. If you browse the app store, you will find plenty of free applications that provide easy, on-demand workouts. YouTube is also a great place to look.

I recently have started doing tabata workouts. These are intense, short workouts that can be used with virtually any exercise. Tabata consists of 8 rounds of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. You can find timers or even pop songs that count you in and out online.

Another great workout that requires little space or equipment is yoga. If you are new to yoga, I suggest finding recorded classes. There are many health benefits that come from yoga that I will discuss in an upcoming article. Be sure to look for it!

Get those vitamins

Vitamins are not always a necessity in developed countries where we have access to fresh, healthy foods. Most of us are able to get what we need from our everyday diets. Unfortunately, you may not be on your normal diet if you are in isolation. Canned soups and pasta simply do not carry all of the vitamins we usually get from fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables.

Some vitamins are essential for our mental health. Vitamin D, for example, has been linked to focus and happiness. This is a vitamin we usually get from the sun. Spending all of your days indoors may very likely lead to a deficiency. I started taking vitamin D chews during the cold seasons to combat the winter blues. This little change made a big difference in my energy.

Always remember to consult a doctor if you are pregnant, have medical conditions, or are on medication before using any supplement.

Be wary of social media

With many of us having more time on our hands, it is easy to get lost in scrolling through social media. However, this may only worsen our feelings of worry and sadness. It is good to checkup on friends or to keep an eye on the world, but at some point it just becomes too much. Nowadays there seems to be little good news. Constant exposure to negativity can have an impact on our overall mental health. Too much social media use can lead to anxiety, stress, and depressive thoughts. If this seems to be the case, it might be best to just turn it off.

Stay in touch

Isolation can be lonely. We as humans need connection. Being with others and being able to share experiences is important to our mental health. Technology has advanced in such a way that we can maintain such connections over a distance. Video chatting via Skype or Zoom is one way to see those who you value most.

If you are isolated with others, remember to value that time. You may butt heads or have troubles keeping the peace. Just remember that it is temporary. You really do need each other.

Remember to call and check up on your friends and family.

Recognize that this is time for self-improvement

Above all, a positive mindset is important in such devastating circumstances. I know, I know... easier than it sounds. But consider this... Tough times make us stronger. One day you will look back on this day and say you made it.

So what are you going to do right now? You can sit back and complain about your current circumstance or you can come out on the other end stronger than ever before. There will always be troubling times. There will always be people that have it better and worse than you. We have to do our best with what we have. In the end, we are all in this together.