Coping with the Covid-19 Quarantine: Tips for Healthy Living
by Kathy Livingston, LCSW, Clinical Director
Imagine someone had sat you down on January 1, 2020 and told you the following:
Beginning mid-March, your children will not go to school. They will be home-schooled using remote learning. Your college-aged children will be sent home and will finish the year by remote learning. If you work, you will either work from home, or, you may be laid off or furloughed. You won’t be able to see your loved ones or friends in person without maintaining a 6-foot separation. Even then, you may not be able to spend time with your elderly relatives. You will wear masks when going outside in public spaces.
Sounds like a fantasy, right? But the reality is our world has turned upside down and inside out. Today, three months in to the Covid-19 quarantine, our predictable, reliable way of life no longer exists. Instead, we have adapted to a new way of living. Within our homes we’ve adjusted to remote learning and working from home. We venture outside when the weather cooperates, taking advantage of fresh air while maintaining social distance. High school graduations, college graduations, trips and summer programs are either postponed or canceled. The typical transitions of daily life can’t happen so how do we cope? How do we begin to embrace and thrive in this new world rather than just tolerate and accommodate?
Experts who’ve weighed in recommend routine and structure as two key factors in adaptation. By developing and practicing habits, we learn to readjust more easily. By now, you may have figured out that spending all day in your pajamas probably isn’t a good idea. Waking up at a normal hour, dressing in clothing rather than sweats or pajamas and sticking to regular mealtimes can help us acclimate to this new way of life.
Creating purpose and intent in your life is also key, as many experts have pointed out. After adapting to our new way of life, how do we live with more intention rather than just gritting our teeth and tolerating this experience? Becoming resilient in times of stress means finding meaning, practicing gratitude and reaching out for help when you need it. Intention can simply mean making a nice meal for your family, reading a book you’ve been wanting to read, practicing meditation or making exercise a part of your daily routine.
What are you grateful for? Are there silver linings in staying home? These might be spending more quality, uninterrupted time with your family, working on a puzzle together, creating a Zoom family reunion or simply giving thanks for having food on the table, a roof over your head and a job to go back to. New Trier Township families have cooked and delivered meals to hospital staffs, cooked for the homeless, helped to fill the New Trier Township Food Pantry and checked in on elderly neighbors to make sure they’re safe and have food. Getting involved provides a sense of purpose and control in our daily lives.
Finally, how do you tend to your mental and emotional health? Knowing when to reach out for help is key. Are you feeling depressed and anxious most of the day? It’s normal to feel some sad feelings and grieve for canceled trips, graduations and parties. It’s normal to be concerned about your health and the health of your loved ones. But if your sadness or anxiety prevents you from participating in daily life, it’s time to reach out. Talking with a therapist can help you or your family members cope with stress. If you’re a parent, therapy can help you feel more resilient in dealing with your children. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Family Service of Glencoe is here to help you.
Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html