Coping With The Emotional Fallout During Social Distancing

As a means of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic with a heavy hand, governments across the world have mandated something unnatural to us; to keep distance from each other. Humans, being “social” animals, were naturally unaware of the concept of social distance until the pandemic occurred. So now, in several countries around the world, we are stuck at home. Either all alone or if lucky enough, with our spouses/families. The only outing is a quick trip to the supermarket or local grocery store.

These increasingly stringent measures for social distancing, cooped up in their abodes, are bound to take a toll on our emotional well-being, as suggested by mental health experts worldwide. With all educational institutions, businesses, recreational hubs, etc. closing down, the minimal in-person interaction might pave the way for increased anxiety, fear, depression, and loneliness.

Amidst such circumstances, let’s explore some of the ways to keep our sanity alive, besides taking care of our physical health.

Have A Distress Tolerance Plan

Be it a warm bath, a comedy movie, cooking, or a workout session, you would know best what triggers your happy hormones. Make sure you indulge in your favorite activities. They have a therapeutic effect on your mind and body, so as not to succumb to distress.

Give Yourself A Break From The News

We don’t mean to say you shouldn’t keep yourself updated at such a time of global crisis. But don’t overwhelm yourself with 24×7 exposure to news relating to the current state of affairs. Information overload, in today’s times, can be one of the primary causes of stress. It often leads to physical manifestations in the form of headaches, gastrointestinal issues, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, and so on.

SEE ALSO: 12 Easy Ways To Utilize Your Free Time During COVID Outbreak

Take Care Of Your Health while Social Distancing

Yes, simple precautions to prevent the coronavirus, such as frequent hand washing, using a sanitizer, and maintaining hygiene, are essential. It is also important, during this period of lockdown, to eat healthy and well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get sufficient sleep, and abstain from alcohol and drugs.

Have Meaningful Interactions With Your Family

We understand not all of us are fortunate enough to be with our families at the moment. But if you are, take this chance to spend some quality time with them.

Catch up on indoor activities that you had always planned but could never make time for. Play card and board games together, watch movies on Netflix (and the several other streaming platforms that are at our disposal these days, thankfully!), and connect with your parents, partners, children, and even pets, more deeply.

Make The Most Of Technology To Stay Connected

So snapshots of group video calls are doing the rounds of late, and we’re loving it! This is the time to engage in deeper social interactions with your long-distance friends, with Face-time, Skype, and so on. Even if you are in the same city, simply seeing their faces and hearing their voices will mitigate the sense of isolation and “distancing”. Have a hearty conversation, exchange views, share ideas, or simply laugh your hearts out with them, and it will surely make you feel better.

SEE ALSO: Safe From Virus, But Not From Abuse!

Remember You Are Not Alone Even While Social Distancing

In a strange, inexplicable way, we are all bound in this shared state of boredom, frustration, anxiety, and irritability. Let this sink in. Everyone around the globe has been affected by the pandemic, and you are not in an exclusive situation. This basic realization can also bring in a sense of reconciliation and calmness. So don’t forget to remind others too, that the feeling they are experiencing amid social distancing, is not theirs alone.

Perhaps the mantra to cope with the current scenario is to acknowledge what’s happening and still manage to do some benefit finding. As psychologists recommend, it is a crucial strategy to not be in denial of the distressing situation, and yet look for the good in it. For example, if you are working from home, maybe you are enjoying more autonomy now! No matter how paradoxical it sounds, we are in the social distancing thing together, and we will live through it. And, this too shall pass.