Surviving Isolation: Tips and Tricks for Staying Sane and Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic

It’s tough time for everyone. We are all imprisoned by nature’s furor. Here are a few tips that will help you survive isolation in the time of coronavirus.

Schools, buses, malls, and halls are all shut! The IT hub has turned into a ghost town. Colleges are closed and shops locked. 

People are advised to spend more time in isolation. But its easier said than done! Isolation can be nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t put that time to use.

So, I have curated a few creative tips that will help you survive isolation in the time of coronavirus.

But before that, let’s understand how isolation impacts you!

Loneliness can be haunting!

Humans are social beings. And putting them in complete isolation is no less than torture. 

Silence haunts them and emptiness harasses them.

But being together with the wrong person can be ghastly. 

Weekend Couples who were putting their issues under the blanket are unable to stand each other locked under one roof!

China reported a spike in divorce rates. As couples spend too much time together during coronavirus home quarantine. There is a fair chance that this house arrest will also spike up the crime rates!

Also Read – Unlock 1.0 – Things You Must Know

Why isolation is so intriguing?

Doctors and scientists all over are preaching the practice of isolation.

No doubt it is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus. No contact, no transmission!

But isolation is not easy. It is linked to serious mental issues. People who spend time in absolute isolation can become anxious and depressed. They may even show symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

And the mismatched couples can show signs of anger and frustration. In such time, when life comes to a halt, their resentment reaches the peak. This further leads to arguments and abuses.

Also Read: Cure Corona with curcumin

Research speaks!

Review research established a link between isolation and PTSD. It can result in fear and anxiety. As negative thoughts find a home in an empty mind!

Research also points out that aged-people and empty-nesters often show signs of depression. This is due to social isolation and loneliness. 

Reports from researched quarantines revealed 29% of quarantined people reported PTSD. While 31% showed symptoms of depression. 

Also Read: Coping with the panic of coronavirus

With such numbers, the question of the hour is ‘how to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus’.

Check out some activities that we have listed below. They might help you sail through the tough times without losing your mind.

How to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus?

Haven’t we all prayed at least once in our lives for the world to shut down?

We all wanted a moment of hiatus!

Time to walk the woods and soak in some fresh air!   

Moments to create memories and live life.

But when it really happened, when the world is actually shutting down, every face is clouded by confusion.

So, rather than anguishing over the uncontrollable, we can all sail along with the tide and make the most of this time. Check out how!!!

Ways to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus!

1. Clear the clutter!

The first thing to do in this time of isolation is cleaning the clutter. 

The tight schedules of our everyday lives keep us away from clearing the clutter! But now you have all the time for it.

The corners of the house. The area beneath the bed. The dust behind the wardrobe. The spider webs. The bathroom and the balcony. 

Take your time to clean one area a day with perfection. 

The drawers decked with papers. The wardrobe dumped with old clothes. The dust on the old books. 

If you have an artistic hand you can try painting your walls. Arrange your home in a completely different way. Give your house a make-over.

2. Read one book a day!

Books are always said to be our best friend. And at such times, they can indeed play the role of the best mate!

The best way to utilize this quarantine time is to take up a book. And soak up all the knowledge.  Try to finish one book a day! 

You can go to life-changing books that will keep you positive and productive. The motivational genre. Like Secret, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Think and Grow Rich. Also, read  Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for life, Salman Rushdie’s Quichotte and Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Gene. 

The next best in my ranking is fiction. They are intriguing and keeps you engaged thoroughly. You can go for Sidney Sheldon if you are into suspense and thriller! 

ನೀವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಬಲ್ಲವರಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ವಸುಧೇಂದ್ರರ ‘ತೇಜೋ- ತುಂಗಭದ್ರ, ಜೋಗಿಯವರ ಅಶ್ವಥಾಮನ್,ನಾಗರಾಜ ವಸ್ತಾರೆ ಅವರ ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶಿಲೆ , ಸಂತೋಷ್ ಮೆಹಂದಳೆ ಅವರ ಮಹಾಪತನ, ರಾಜೀವ ನಾಯಕ್ ಅವರ ಲಾಸ್ಟ ಲೋಕಲ್ ಲೊಸ್ಟ್ ಲವ್, ಶ್ರೀವತ್ಸ ಜೋಶಿ ಅವರ ವಿಚಿತ್ರಾನ್ನ  ಸೀರೀಸ್,ಜಿ ಎನ್   ಮೋಹನ್ ಅವರು ಅನುವಾದಿಸಿದ ಬರ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಇಷ್ಟ,ಜಯಂತ್ ಕಾಯ್ಕಿಣಿ ಅವರ ಬೊಗಸೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆ ಓದಿ. 

You can also study materials related to your job. And upskill your work. If you are passionate about your job then you would love this one!

Finding it hard to buy a new book? You can always pick up an old book and give it a fresh read!

Or just google it and read the PDF versions. 

3. Start your own blog!

If blogging is on your to-do list then its time to tick it off.

Be it fashion, technology, travel, make-up, stories, reviews or experiences! There is a space on the net for you.

You can start your own WordPress blog today right from your home.

And for starters, there are ample of guiding videos and materials on the net that can help you.

3 Tips to start your own blog:

Pick a genre and stick to it!

Create 30 blogs and then start uploading.

Learn some SEO.

4. Pamper yourself!

How much you wanted to try those DIY homemade beauty packs?

Well, you finally have the time for it!

Take care of your skin with face wash, exfoliation, face packs and moisturizers.

You can try new face packs every day. Give your skin this time to rejuvenate. 

DIY Face Packs

• DIY Rice scrub for Skincare
• Ubtan
• Multani Mitti
• Tomato and yoghurt pack
• Strawberry pack
• Aloe vera pack

Take care of your tresses. Leave them open and nourish them with all the nutrients.

Things to do for hair care

• Oiling
• Henna
• Lemon juice 
• Egg packs.
• Onion juice

Take care of your foot

• Clean them in hot water.
• Use a brush to remove dead cells.
• Try a DIY pedicure at home.
• Apply lotion over your cracked heels.
• Give your feet a relaxing self-massage. 

5. Meditate

Meditation is very essential to hold your calm at the time of crisis. 

It is a tool to fight stress, depression and anxiety which are common in quarantine. 

Meditation also helps in boosting your immunity.

Start your day with 20 minutes of peace. 

Choose a silent corner of your house. If possible, choose an area that’s not hot and humid. Sit cross-legged on the floor. Close your eyes. Chant OM. And let all your thoughts, worries and stresses evaporate!

Think about the bright side. Preach gratitude. And direct your energies into manifesting things that you really want in your life!

You can repeat this before bedtime!

Teach meditation to your kids. And see their personalities bloom!

6. Learn a new skill

There is this one thing that you always wanted to learn. 

Everyone has that unfulfilled wish. Something that you did not have the time for. Or something that your parents could not afford back in the day.

Be it Guitar, Kathak, painting or pottery!

You can learn it now. Pick up the tools and try your skills. But what to do if you don’t have the tools!

With all the shops shut, that’s quite a possibility.

Then learn to code or learn a new tune. This is the time you always asked for to learn, unlearn and relearn!

7. Learn Cooking

Cooking is not an extra curriculum activity. It is basic for survival. Whether you are a girl or boy, man or woman, you need food.

With all the hotels and restaurants shut down, you have no other option but to cook. 

So, it’s the best way to acquire one more skill!

Thank God for the internet. You can check on videos on the internet and experiment with everything you have on the fridge. I recommend Hebbar’s kitchen app.

Remember the drill-less oil, less spice and less salt!

8. Connect through chat

When the real world shuts down, get on the virtual world.

Make a call to an old friend. Skype to the close ones. Chat with your buddies. 

But remember to stay away from the negative people. They will just make you more anxious about the whole situation.

So, before you dial the number just replay the memory lane and see who was a sucker. And don’t dial that number.

9. Exercise

The gym is closed. Your dance class is closed. You can’t go for a walk. 

A home arrest can really take a toll on you with zero activities.

But you can still get your workout done.

Check the best workout at home videos. Clear a little space. Do the squats and lunges, planks and push-ups. You can also do bench presses and burpees.

Keep your body moving. You can still play the music and dance on your own tune. 

Remember, don’t step outside the house until absolutely necessary.

10. Yoga

A few days ago, Harvard University released its statement that yoga, meditation and pranayama help in boosting immunity. 

It protects your mental health from anxiety, depression, stress and panic.

Yoga also protects you from diseases. 

If you are a pro or have at least basic idea then you are good to go!

But if you are a beginner then make sure that you watch the videos thoroughly and learn before you do it!

Start with basic stretches and then push your limits one level a day.

Once you cultivate the habit of yoga, it will become your lifestyle.

11. Pranayama

Pranayama is the simple practice of breathing right!

You take a long deep breath, inhale the positivity. And then breathe it out giving out the negativity.

In this time of crisis, it is very important to keep your mind calm. 

Breathe in and breathe out. But there are some rules to follow to do it right.

So, make sure you learn it first and then do it right. 

12. Think to manifest

Things are conceived in your thoughts. Your life is what you think.

You think. Then you act. Finally, you achieve.

Running in the rat race, you don’t get the time to blink or think.

But now you have all the time in the world. So, think, think and think.

And then think some more to manifest all that you want!

13. Fix the broken things

Oh! Don’t we all have that box where we put all the broken things? 

Be it our relationship or articles around the house.

Take a moment to fix the broken things. Talk it out. Address the issues. And make the wrong things right!

14. Gardening

Gardening is meditative. It is equally therapeutic. 

It’s ok if you don’t have a big area. You can do it right in your balcony or on the window. 

Bring in some air-purifying plants. Get your own little farm of vegetation. And add some flowering plants for the décor!

So, touch some mud, get dirty and laugh it out!

15. Sit back and relax

If there is absolutely nothing to do, then its ok to sit back and relax.

We are so accustomed to being busy always that you get impulsive when life gives you a break.

So, shut your brain. 

Catch up on a movie. Watch a series. Line up some videos. And watch the shows that you missed!

Conclusion

The outbreak of coronavirus has put India in a very crucial state! India is currently in stage II of the coronavirus pandemic. Which means the next few days are very crucial to stop the transmission of this virus. 

So, take proper care to stay at home. And engage your time in these productive things.

Hope these tips will help you survive isolation in the time of isolation.

Other safety measures you need to take:

• Wash your hands, palms with water and soap for 20 seconds.
• Isolate yourself. Don’t go out. Don’t let others in.
• Carry a hand sanitizer always.