How to avoid anxiety in times of quarantine?

In these times where it is essential and of utmost importance to stay at home for our well-being, that of those we love and to contribute to the health of our country.

Anxiety can very easily find its way into our lives, reaching the point of despair, demotivated or tired without even doing anything. Making the days a difficult burden to bear.

We know that this current situation of forty is quite hard to cope with for some, because it seems that in a certain way they have lost their direction and control of their daily life. And, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to do all the things we couldn't or to rest, we feels like an imposed punishment that drains our energy, increasing stress and feelings of cloistered.

But don't worry, not all hope is lost. Only with determination and creativity can you turn this quarantine into a learning space and growth, while fighting stress at the same time. So shake off the fatigue and check out these tips to avoid anxiety in times of quarantine.

Why does staying home make us anxious?

How many times have you not wished you could have a few days or weeks off from work to do anything? The more we are working day by day, the more we long to have a vacation just to rest. So why are so many feeling anxious in this quarantine? very easy. Because quarantine is not synonymous with vacations, but with a struggle to survive.

With few supplies and open sources to get them, with the restriction of only a family member going out for a couple of hours and without the possibility of visiting friends or family. This is not exactly a recess situation to be enjoyed. And that is exactly what causes stress and despair in people, since it is not possible to access the comforts and options that were previously had.

But above all, it is because we no longer have the same activity as before and that can generate mental fatigue, which causes the brain activity itself to accumulate without being able to be released. Causing heartache, 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 transmit on the streets. Both because of the situation of viral danger to which we are all at risk, and because of not being able to access regular supplies. Thus, the news about contagions, diseases or problems that others live, can feed the levels of stress before the incognito of knowing how to overcome it.

Now, there is the other pole. For some, being at home does not represent a major inconvenience because they can enjoy working from there virtually or because they do not usually go out very often. But for others, leisure and confinement is not a good combination at all, since they feel unproductive because they cannot go. to their daily activities, unmotivated by not going out to exercise or worried by not being able to visit their loved ones.

Is it normal to feel like this in these times?

Most of those who are suffering from some kind 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 is only a natural response to something that threatens our integrity, security, freedom and from which we cannot escape.

Only We have to be aware and take shelter at home so that everything returns to normal soon.

17 tips to avoid quarantine anxiety

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 these appear, make the decision and practice one of these tips.

1. Create a daily schedule

The first step you should do is adjust 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 life.

This will help you stay focused and avoid such a 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 set yourself.

2. Create a future wish list

This situation is not long-lasting, so take advantage of this break time to create a list of everything you want to do once this happens. Creating new projects or plans will help you to stay focused when you return to your normal routine, as well as to have a new motivating purpose. A good tip is that you 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, articles with good content or web advice so that you continue acquiring new knowledge. Both your branch of study, as well as other things that you have 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. Strengthen your knowledge

Another good option is to research web sites to practice your knowledge. There are various platforms where you can continue training your math, language, programming, music, painting, writing skills, etc. There are also mobile apps where you can enter groups of people around the world to practice and share. As is the case with Amino.

With these tools you can entertain yourself while reinforcing 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 an ideal entertainment for those afternoons where it seems that you have nothing to do. You can start reading, drawing, knitting, sewing, painting or playing games in mental skills apps.

This will also help you have your brain active and avoid exhaustion. Who knows, you may even like it and take it with you when everything returns to its regular course.

6. Learn a new skill

Have you ever wanted to learn or train in something but did not have time? Well now this is your ideal moment. Take 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 or should you miss.

7. Take back something you left

This is also a good opportunity to take up something that you left pending, such as the list of books you wanted to read this year, fix something in your home or do the cleaning that you planned. Everything you promised you can fulfill in this quarantine. So you will not have anything pending to do when you return to your daily life.

Although, on the other hand you can take this time to leave behind a habit that you said you wanted to get rid of but had not worked on it.

8. Create an exercise routine

Keeping your body active is just as important as keeping your mind healthy, so don't put your physical activity aside at these times. Rather, explore different YouTube channels of fitness experts to start getting fit. You can find routines for beginners, cardio exercises, to tone, yoga, Pilates, resistance or training for the whole body.

9. Pamper yourself

Very few times we can find a moment for ourselves, take care of ourselves and give a love to our aesthetic health, because now the time has come. To do this, you can look for tutorials on aesthetic care that you can recreate in your 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 energies to the people who live in it, because it promotes stagnation, rather than 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.

11. Check your closet

You can also take the opportunity to clean your closet. So that you can organize everything in a more functional and visually beautiful way. You can also take the time to see which clothes you no longer wear, then donate them and which ones 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 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 that you create games and activities to enjoy during the day.

You can also teach them new skills such as 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 about the current situation. So try to reduce the amount of news you are looking for and instead use networks and TV to communicate with yours, create groups of video calls, watch tutorials or listen to podcasts that help you grow and search entertaining 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 your creativity

If you are a very creative person or who likes to invent something new, then do not stop in this situation and find new ways to inspire or create. Take everything you have in your home to do something new, to renew an object in your home, to customize your clothes, create new clothes, etc.

15. Follow different tutorials

You can also take advantage of this moment to see different tutorials that will teach you to create or develop new skills. Such as makeup, nails, hairdressing, art, sewing, DIY techniques, crafts, etc. that you can follow from 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 yours is the kitchen, then this space is perfect for you to practice all those recipes that you have saved or those desserts that will renew your energy. Of course, remember to also maintain a healthy and balanced diet, so look for natural as well as delicious options.

17. Look for relaxing exercises

However, if you need something a little more relaxing, to help you silence your mind or keep your body in balance. Then practice breathing exercises that help you relieve muscle tension. The best options for this are yoga, tai chi, or meditation.

Remember that this will only be effective if you commit and shake off the fatigue.