- Why are we anxious about staying at home?
- Chaos and confinement as the basis of anxiety
- Is it normal to feel this way these days?
- 17 tips to avoid anxiety in quarantine
In these times when it is essential and extremely important to stay at home for our well-being, that of those we love and to contribute to the he alth of our country.
Anxiety can easily find its way into our lives, reaching the point of making us desperate, demotivated or exhausted without even doing anything. Making the days become a burden difficult to bear.
We know that this current forty situation is quite hard to bear for some, because it seems that they have somehow lost direction and control of their daily lives.And instead of seeing it as an opportunity to do all the things we couldn't or to rest, it feels like an imposed punishment that drains our energy, increasing stress and feelings of cloisteredness.
But don't worry, all hope is not lost. Only with determination and creativity can you turn this quarantine into a space for learning and growth, while combating stress at the same time. So shake off your tiredness and check out these tips to avoid anxiety in times of quarantine.
Why are we anxious about staying at home?
How many times have you not wished you could have a few days or weeks off from your job to do nothing? The more we are working every day day, the more we long for a vacation just to rest. So why are many feeling anxiety in this quarantine? very easy. Because quarantine is not synonymous with vacations, but with a fight to survive.
With few supplies and open sources to get them, with the restriction of only going out for a couple of hours by a family member and without the possibility of visiting friends or relatives. This is not exactly a recess situation to be enjoyed. And that is exactly what causes stress and despair in people, since they cannot access the comforts and options that were previously available.
But above all, it is because we no longer have the same activity as before and that can generate mental fatigue, which causes brain activity itself to accumulate without being able to be released. Causing anguish, repetitive thoughts and even physical exhaustion. Any product of a low amount of energy to drive us to do something.
Chaos and confinement as the basis of anxiety
Another cause of anxiety during quarantine times is the chaos and despair that some people convey on the streets.Both because of the viral danger situation to which we are all at risk, and because of not being able to access regular supplies. Thus, news about infections, diseases or problems experienced by others can fuel stress levels when faced with the unknown of knowing how to overcome it.
Now, there is the other pole. For some, being at home is not a major inconvenience because they can enjoy working from there virtually or because they don't usually go out very often. But for others, leisure and confinement is not a good combination at all, because they feel unproductive by not being able to go about their daily activities, discouraged by not going out to exercise or worried by not being able to visit their loved ones.
Is it normal to feel this way these days?
Most of those who are suffering from some type of anxiety in this quarantine wonder, are we going crazy? And the answer is no.Feeling unmotivated, discouraged or somewhat stressed during a quarantine lockdown is completely normal. Well, it's just a natural response to something that threatens our integrity, security, freedom and from which we can't escape.
Only we have to be aware and protect ourselves at home so that everything returns to normal soon.
17 tips to avoid anxiety in quarantine
So don't worry if you feel dizzy, tired, restless or agitated from time to time. The important thing is that you do not let yourself be governed by those sensations or the feeling of loneliness and when they appear, make the decision and practice some of these tips.
one. Create a daily schedule
The first step you should take is to adapt to this situation and try to create a new daily routine. So look for different activities that you want to do and plan them in an agenda as if it were your usual daily routine.
This will help you stay focused and prevent too much disparity in your life. Of course, this will only help you if you commit to following the routine and this implies waking up early, dressing appropriately and following the schedule that you have imposed yourself.
2. Create a future wish list
This situation is not lasting, so take advantage of this recess time to create a list of everything you want to do once this happens. Creating new projects or plans will help you stay focused when you return to your normal routine, as well as to have a new motivating purpose. A good piece of advice is to prepare or investigate everything you need during this quarantine, so you will have a better disposition.
3. Keep studying
Now that you can have plenty of free time, instead of hanging around your home, sit in front of your computer and look for courses, good content articles or web advice to keep acquiring new knowledge.Both about your field of study, and about other things you've always wanted to find out.
Platforms such as Coursera, MiriadaX, Khan Academy or different MOOCs will always be available for free for you to continue studying.
4. Reinforce your knowledge
Another good option is to research sites on the web to practice your knowledge. There are various platforms where you can continue training your math, language, programming, music, painting, writing, etc. There are also mobile apps where you can join groups of people around the world to practice and share. As is the case of Amino.
With these tools you can entertain yourself while you reinforce what you have already learned and even find new discoveries that help you improve your skills.
5. Find a new hobby
This will help not only you, but the rest of your family to find the ideal entertainment for those afternoons when it seems that you have nothing to do. You can start reading, drawing, knitting, sewing, painting or playing in brain skills apps.
This will also help keep your brain active and avoid exhaustion. Who knows, you might even like it and take it with you when things go back to normal.
6. Learn a new skill
Have you ever wanted to learn or train in something but didn't have time? Well now this is your ideal moment. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn a new language, perfect your techniques or start with what you wanted.
Sites like Open English, Crehana, Domestika, or Google, have special free courses for this quarantine on different topics in this quarantine, which you should either miss.
7. Pick up something you left off
This is also a good opportunity to pick up something you left pending, such as the list of books you wanted to read this year, fix something in your home or do the cleaning you planned. Everything you promised you can fulfill in this quarantine. That way you won't have anything pending to do when you return to your daily routine.
Although, on the other hand, you can take this time to break a habit that you said you wanted to break but hadn't worked on.
8. Create an exercise routine
Keeping your body active is as important as keeping your mind he althy, so don't put aside your physical activity in these times. Instead, explore different YouTube channels of fitness experts to start getting fit. You can find from routines for beginners, cardio exercises, to tone, yoga, Pilates, resistance or training for the whole body.
9. Pamper yourself
Very few times we manage to find a moment for ourselves, take care of ourselves and give love to our aesthetic he alth, because now the time has come. To do this, you can look for tutorials on aesthetic care that you can recreate at home with homemade ingredients and turn your space into a five-star spa.
10. Organize your home
According to some arts such as Feng Shui, they indicate that disorder in the home can transmit bad energy to the people who live in it, because it promotes stagnation, instead of fluidity and harmony. So take this time to organize your house and leave it as an immaculate temple.
That way you will see how your mood changes, maybe you can find some lost treasures or have some to donate. The best thing is that you can dedicate a small sector each day.
eleven. Check your closet
You can also take the opportunity to clean out your closet. So that you can organize everything in a more functional and beautiful way. You can also take the time to see which items you no longer wear, to donate and which need a touch-up, which you can do with DIY skills.
12. Do activities with your children
Remember that the little ones in the home can also suffer from anxiety during this quarantine, even to a greater extent since they cannot go out to play, study or see their friends. A good recommendation is to come up with games and activities to enjoy throughout the day.
You can also teach them new skills like cooking, drawing, learning a language, crafts, etc. And even use video calls so you can meet up with your friends.
13. Use social media and TV wisely
As we already said, something that generates a lot of stress and concern is the constant news and some exaggerated ones about the current situation.So try to reduce the amount of news you search for and instead use the networks and TV to communicate with your loved ones, create video call groups, watch tutorials or listen to podcasts that help you grow and find fun games.
You can also take advantage of the Netflix platform to watch series or movies and turn your home into a movie theater.
14. Fire up your creativity
If you are a very creative person or who likes to invent something new, then do not stop at this situation and find new ways to inspire or create. Take everything you have in your home to do something new, to renovate an object in your home, to customize your clothes, create new garments, etc.
fifteen. Follow different tutorials
You can also take advantage of this moment to watch different tutorials that will teach you how to create or develop new skills.Such as makeup, nails, hairdressing, art, sewing, DIY techniques, crafts, etc. that you can follow from your home and be an expert at the end of the quarantine.
This is the perfect time for you to put trial and error into practice.
16. Practice in the kitchen
But if cooking is your thing, then this space is perfect for you to practice all those recipes you have saved or those desserts that will renew your energy. Of course, remember to also maintain a he althy and balanced diet, so look for natural and delicious options.
17. Look for relaxing exercises
However, if you need something a little more relaxing, to help quiet your mind or balance your body. Then practice breathing exercises that help you relieve muscle tension. The best options for this is yoga, tai chi, or meditation.
Remember that this will only be effective if you commit and shake off your exhaustion.