How do I stay sane during this Stay At Home Order?

By David Shepard

The Coronavirus has impacted the whole world and has dramatically changed everyone’s lives. Part of this change has been for many of us to have to stay at home until this pandemic is over. Having to stay at home for an extended amount of time can be hard for anyone, especially when society is dealing with a major disruption and constantly filled with panic. So how does one cope with having to stay at home and not be overwhelmed or unproductive?

remember this is all temporary

One of the very first things that can help with this transition to a Shelter In Place order is to remember this is all temporary.

The world has experienced deadly diseases before and survived. The world has experienced major disruptions and has survived.

Giving into panic or over thinking about the negative impact of the Coronavirus does not change what is happening and does not benefit you in anyway. Accepting the current state of things, no matter how disruptive they may be, is the first step to being able to let go and focus on the things that you can control and the things that make you feel good.

Focusing on positive things or things you can control might be hard during times like this but it does not mean that it is not possible.

Something that can help with over thinking and panicking is mindfulness. 

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is about choosing to focus on something in your present environment and getting out of your head (thoughts).

The best way to practice mindfulness is to do meditation. There are many different types of meditations that can help you practice mindfulness. Youtube has plenty of different meditations that you can try. Also there are many free meditation apps for phones if that’s more convenient. 

Structure

Another way to cope with the stay at home order mentally is to keep some kind of structure.

Having a structure/routine tends to make people feel safe and comfortable. Putting structure in place could mean things like waking up at a set time, working remotely during certain hours (if working from home), set times to eat, set times to work out, set times to make phone calls to loved ones, set time to do fun activities, etc.  

Work Out

Besides the mental aspect, another important area to focus on is your physical health.

Because you are stuck in the house, and there is no access to gyms and limited access to exercise outside of your house, staying active at home becomes really important. Sitting around and eating without physical activity can negatively impact your health.

Luckily there are many home workout videos online, on youtube, and on phone apps. You don’t need equipment or even a lot of space (running in place for 20mins). Having a daily physical activity for 20mins should be a part of your structured day. 

Check In

Lastly, one of the most important aspects that you should nurture during this time is your emotional health.

Doing things such as putting on clothes, not staying in your pajamas all day; can make someone feel good even if they are not going outside the house. One of the best ways to nurture your emotional health is to make phone calls (video calls if possible) to loved ones and friends. Staying connected and socializing with people that you care about is important during this difficult time.

If you are finding yourself having a hard time dealing with the stay at home order or consequences of the stay at home order (job, wedding postponement, etc), please contact us at Therapy Now SF for your free consultation.