Do you feel like a victim of circumstances that are beyond your control? Do you dream of being somewhere else? Have you given up on your social life? These are questions commonly asked when trying to determine if someone is unhappy. They also pretty much apply to everyone who is dealing with quarantine under COVID-19 right now. In fact many more on the following common list probably apply to many of us:
- Finding yourself surrounded by unhappy people
- Feeling anxious or frustrated more than usual
- Feeling sick of a series of tasks / just want the day or month to be over
- Having trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Feeling less energetic or more sapped of energy than usual
- Complaining more often
- Experiencing less work satisfaction
- Changes in eating or drinking habits.
The fact is that some of these are inherent in being under quarantine but how do you know if it is affecting you beyond the circumstantial? What can you do about it if you have noticed a change? I’ve written in the past about practicing self awareness and working to build foundations for happiness and success. Heck, building happiness, and practicing successful habits are 2 of the 4 categories that make up this very site. However, I am no guru…
I’m Ok But I’m Not Great
Never in my life have I felt like ending the day with a beer so often. If it wasn’t for discipline habits, I’d be cracking brews on a daily. This has never happened to me before. It may have something to do with six weeks stuck inside and spending several hours per day as an involuntary elementary school teacher to my boys. Would it surprise you to hear that I have a shorter fuse than normal right now and find myself being more negative as well? I’m not feeling particularly depressed but I certainly would not say that I am performing like a champ.
Signs of Fatigue
In my state of Colorado last week, healthcare workers who are risking their lives saving COVID-19 patients counter protested a group of around 1000-2000 people who risked their lives by assembling at the capital to protest what they feel is an overly repressive quarantine. These pictures from the news kind of say it all:
…Um This is not normal.
Some Are Certainly Worse Off
What if you are not personally affected by health or financial emergencies right now? Most of us have an awareness that there are others with greater challenges so who are we to complain? I would offer that all suffering is still suffering. We’ve all been stuck inside for 6 weeks, prevented from seeing loved ones, the economy has crashed, and it is pretty unnerving when everyone you see outdoors is wearing a post apocalyptic mask and tries to avoid you. There has been very little positive news over the past few weeks. Most of us will be fine in the long run, however, mental health is no less real than physical health. It is often just a bit more stealthy.
Toughness Means Taking Care of Yourself
I will not claim to have answers to this one. I don’t have data. However, if the list above sounds familiar, I will offer that it does not mean you should just grit through it to be tough. It is worthwhile to understand that we may all be experiencing some level of unhappiness. It is worthwhile to talk about it openly with loved ones, so that we can be aware of and try to help each other. I can also share what I have been doing personally to keep from becoming a deranged maniac.
What Has Helped Me Under Quarantine
- Scheduled alone time: if quarantined with others
- Working on sleep habits: getting up early even if up late to correct schedule
- Exercise: as much as I can force myself to
- Video conference hangouts with friends: dance parties, poker, or just chatting
- Creative Outlet: I have been writing music, what’s your outlet?
- Cook good food: By this I mean a balance of healthy and comfort foods
- Listen to music: especially stuff that relaxes me (recently, Joshua Radin, Mandolin Orange, & Kings of Convenience)
- Doing fun things with those quarantined with: games, dancing, sports
- Getting creative: mixing it up with night hikes, baking challenges, treasure hunts
- Plan for cool things in the future: planning trips & adventures, reviewing finances.
Social Distancing Survival Kit
I will offer that the situation that we are currently in is tough. We need to be tough. This means paying attention to my mental health. It also means not lashing out at loved ones or “the others” but rather uniting together against the actual enemy, COVID-19 and the challenges of social distancing that we all face.
What has helped you during this time? Share your thoughts in the comments.
2 comments
I’m starting to unravel a bit too. I find I’m drinking more alcohol than usual. Just a splash here and there, but normally, I don’t drink at all. Oh well. The things you listed are great. I try to connect to old friends on zoom at least once per week. Exercise is tough for us. There is no room. I take our son riding and shooting hoops when the weather is nice, but it’s been iffy. Hopefully, we’ll have a nice day soon.
Oh, I’m a lot more relaxed about schooling now. We’ll just do a bit every day and avoid driving ourselves crazy.
Best wishes and hope we open up a bit soon.
Yeah, one rule of thumb that I have is that if I feel like having a drink for relief or escape it usually means that I should be doing something else first before drinking. Your point about not having space for exercise is well taken. For those in cities I know it is harder to get outside and exercise as well. I feel for those who are single and living in apartments. Less space and more loneliness. I know some are making pacts with other friends that live alone to “co-quarantine” meaning that they don’t get within 6 feet of anyone else except their quarantine buddy. Then they can still go over to each other’s places, hang out, etc.