To reduce the spread of coronavirus, government and health officials have requested the public to take measures to limit and control the spread of the disease. The primary step taken to reduce the spread of the virus is social distancing. Social distancing is a way to keep people from interacting closely or frequently enough to avoid the spread of an infectious disease or in this case COVID-19. This means staying home as much as possible and avoiding crowded, public places where close contact with others is likely. This includes shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, schools, stadiums, even large religious gatherings. Health authorities have recommended staying at least 6 feet away from one another when shopping in small shops and grocery stores.
Those who are exposed to the COVID-19 virus will have to go through 14 days of home-quarantine and prevent any kind of contact with outsiders. 14 days is the estimated incubation period for the virus, so if a person does not show any symptoms after 14 days, the person may not have the infection. If a person has contracted COVID-19, the person is kept in isolation to prevent them from spreading it to others. Either way, people will be cut off from their regular routines for at least two weeks to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
During a period of social distancing, quarantine or isolation, you may experience:
Fear and Anxiety
You may feel concerned or concerned about yourself or your family members contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to others. It is also normal to have concerns about purchasing food and personal supplies. Some people may also have trouble sleeping or focusing on daily tasks when practicing social distancing.
Depression and Boredom
Working from home and spending time on things without achieving much productivity may result in feelings of unhappiness or low mood. Extended periods spent at home can also cause feelings of boredom and loneliness.
Anger, Frustration or Irritability
The lack of activity and personal freedom during isolation and quarantine can often feel frustrating. You may also experience anger or hatred toward those who have issued quarantine or isolation orders if you were exposed to the virus.
Stigmatization
If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you may feel stigmatized and hated by others who fear they will contract the illness if they interact with you.
Spending weeks and months at home with minimum social contact and limited resources can take a toll on mental health. To reduce the psychological risks of social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, psychologists have established some tips for handling these challenging circumstances.
Limit News Consumption
It’s important to know about the latest and accurate public health information on COVID-19, but too much exposure to the news can lead to increased feelings of fear and anxiety. To reduce your worries, psychologists recommend balancing time spent on news and social media with other activities such as reading, listening to music or learning a new language.
Create and Follow a Daily Routine
Maintaining a daily routine can help both adults and children keep a sense of order and purpose in their lives despite the challenges of isolation and quarantine. Try to include regular daily activities, such as work, exercise or learning, even if they must be executed remotely. Integrate other healthy pastimes as needed.
Stay Virtually Connected with Others
Your face-to-face interactions may be limited, but you can always stay in touch with your friends and family through phone calls, text messages, video chat, and social media. If you are feeling sad or anxious, use these means of communication to discuss your experience and associated emotions during the quarantine. Reach out to those you know who are in a similar situation through Facebook and other social media platforms. You can also get involved with your pets for emotional support.
Manage Stress and Stay Positive
Find ways to stay stress-free and positive. If you are working from home, try to take short breaks in between work so that your work does not become a burden at home. Spend time with your family if they are at home or meditate for some time to relieve your stress. Simple activities like deep breathing, yoga and playing board games with your family members can help you stay positive.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Get enough sleep, eat well and exercise every day to stay healthy. Try to avoid using alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with the stresses of isolation and quarantine. To keep yourself and your family protected against COVID-19, consider replacing your plastic kitchen and tableware with single-use disposable tableware. Plastic objects are persistent in carrying the virus so by using bio-degradable disposable tableware you can reduce the chances of virus contamination. You can purchase eco-friendly disposable plates, eco-friendly disposable bowls, eco-friendly disposable cutlery at ecoware.in.
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