Real Life

Prevent Depression From Getting A Hold In You During Isolation


Some tips on how to keep a sunny disposition while following shelter-in-place orders

pick windows that are soundproof woman sitting

We are living interesting, but also challenging times when outside events and circumstances are changing our entire lives. As the COVID pandemic threatens to uproot entire communities and disrupt the order of society, authorities scramble to get things under control. During the lockdown, people try to cope with growing anxiety and even depression, by finding solace in activities that can be conducted from home. Some choose to play European roulette in Canada, others spend more time reading or watch TV, but everyone feels the pressure of being isolated for lengthy periods.

Understand the impact of isolation

Before you can deal with the insidious threat posed by isolation, you need to acknowledge that the problem is there and poses a serious danger. Studies have confirmed the fact that there is a link between social isolation and loneliness, with people’s mental health deteriorating rapidly in solitude. Spending a lot of time alone and lacking exercise can also lead to cardiovascular problems and other physical health issues. Just because you have more time to sleep doesn’t mean that the quality of the hours spent sleeping also improves. In fact, you are more likely to feel fatigued after waking up from a deep slumber.

Come up with a plan and stick to it

One of the biggest dangers of spending long periods of time on your own is getting disconnected from reality. With no milestones and no social interactions, it isn’t easy to keep track of the days passing, and many people end up drifting aimlessly. That’s why it’s important to create a routine, and once you come up with a feasible plan, you must stick to it. Don’t hesitate to make changes along the way to incorporate elements that make you happy, but make sure that your routine is a mix of fun and healthy elements.

Make the most of the time spent outside

Just because you are compelled to respect the lockdown orders, doesn’t mean that you are never allowed to go outside. Unless you’ve tested positive and are ordered to stay inside for two weeks or longer, you can still exit your house and venture near it. Ideally, it would help if you spent as much time outside during the day, natural light stimulates the production of vitamin D, which is essential in fighting depression. Once again, it is recommended to have a relatively fixed schedule, so you exercise daily.

yoga - on balcony, at home - to avoid depression

Discover the thrills of a pet project

There is no better time to undertake a project that makes you happy than during these months when you are required to stay indoors. Whether it’s an old hobby or an activity that you always thought to be fun but never had the chance of trying, this is your perfect opportunity. Crafting, gardening and baking are just a few of the worthy options, but at the end of the day, everyone has their own idea about meaningful projects. If you don’t know where to start, YouTube is full of DIY tutorials to help you out.

Social distancing doesn’t mean radio silence

It’s virtually impossible to substitute in-person interactions, but any form of contact will help you during these trying times. Talk to your friends as often as possible, asked them how they feel and communicate with those close to you on a daily basis. It is recommended to schedule group chats using one of the many digital communication solutions. You’ll find out that there are plenty of people in a similar situation looking forward to talking to someone.

These are just a few of the things you can do to prevent depression from getting a hold on you during the lockdown. A good plan, a little bit of creativity and a lot of discipline will help you go through these trying times and emerge stronger.


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