Mental Health Tips For Social Distancing

By Ashley Paskill on April 30, 2020

Although it is known that social distancing is crucial for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, it can be tough not doing things you are used to doing and not seeing friends. It is likely that you have to do your schoolwork online and you may be out of work. Events like concerts and sports are being postponed and canceled. Though these actions are for the best, they can take a toll on your mental health. As we adjust to this new, and temporary, normal, there are things you can do to proactively take care of your mental health.

Declutter your living space

Studies have been done that clutter can negatively impact your mental health. The act of cleaning and decluttering in itself can help you feel like you have accomplished something. Go through your room and get rid of anything you have not used in more than six months, excluding holiday or seasonal items. Get rid of things you no longer like. This will help free up space, which is crucial if you now have to do your schoolwork in your own room. Now that you are forced to be at home, you have time to declutter.

Get organized

Since you likely have to do work and homework from home, keeping everything organized is more important than ever. Write down assignments and projects in your planner or calendar app and cross them off once you complete them. Have a designated workspace that has all of the supplies you need to get your work done. Have separate notebooks for each class so you do not have to flip through a single notebook, wondering where you noted something.

Go outside

Even though you have to abide by social distancing rules, you can still go outside for a walk, run, or jog. Check to see if a nearby park is open, or consider going for a walk or jog around the block. You can either do your exercise in silence or with a playlist of music you love. Either way, this will help you clear your mind and help you relax. Do not push yourself too hard, especially if your primary goal is to help eliminate stress, and do not beat yourself up over not going as fast as you would like to.

Get some exercise

On days you cannot get out of your house, you can still exercise in your house or apartment. Workout moves such as lunges, squats, pushups, and the like do not require any equipment. You do not need to have a lot of space or any equipment to get a good workout. However, if you have equipment, you have some more options. You may know some good workouts, especially if you work out on a regular basis. If you do not have a regular workout routine, there are plenty of apps and YouTube videos that can give you a few ideas. Exercise releases hormones that are associated with feeling good, which will help your mental health.

Meditate

Meditation can seem overwhelming at first, but after you do it for a while, you get better at it. It is, after all, called a practice. It does not require anything. All you have to do is sit somewhere comfortable and take purposeful breaths. The goal is to observe your thoughts without placing judgment or attachment on them. It is recommended that you meditate for 10 minutes, but even doing it for five minutes can be beneficial. If you are struggling to meditate on your own, apps such as Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App can help. There are also plenty of YouTube videos and podcasts that can help with your meditation practice.

Keep in touch with friends and family

While you may be quarantined with your immediate family, you likely have not seen your extended family for quite some time, and there is no telling how long it will be before you will be able to see them. The same goes for your friends. Thanks to technology, you can still talk to those you love and even see them, even if it is not in-person. There are plenty of video chat apps and sites that can allow you to talk to loved ones as if you are in the same space. These even allow you to share your screen, which means you can play online games with friends and family.

Cook healthy meals and meal prep

Now that you have some extra time on your hands, consider learning how to cook some healthy meals and meal prepping a week in advance. Healthy foods can help you improve your mental health, and prepping your food in advance can help you relieve the stress and anxiety of deciding what you want to eat every day. This is also helpful for the days where you do not feel like doing anything, which will happen if you struggle with mental health issues. If you do not know of any recipes, ask your family or look online for some ideas.

Find a therapist

You may consider seeking a therapist if you find yourself seriously struggling. Many therapists are doing remote telehealth sessions to help clients through this difficult time. Reach out to your health insurance provider or doctor to see if they have a list of therapists in your area that take your insurance.

There is no doubt that social distancing and living in quarantine can take a toll on your mental health, but there are things you can do to take action and help yourself out a bit.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format