Caring For Mental Health During Quarantine
Taking care of mental health during quarantine can be a real challenge, especially for those who suffer from anxiety. However, there are certain recommendations to achieve this.
Since the appearance of the infectious disease known as coronavirus (COVID-19), the reality of each person has taken an unexpected turn, and concerns have also increased.
Now that health authorities have taken extreme care measures in many countries in order to prevent the spread of the virus, confinement has become more difficult, especially due to the anguish that is generated around what is going to happen later. .
Caring for mental health during quarantine
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is:
That is, mental health is the main pillar to be able to experience well-being and function in an operational way, both at the individual and community level. Now, the present situation has brought us additional concerns that have affected the mental health of many people.
Concerns during quarantine
- Fear of self or other contagion.
- Anxiety, often due to excess information.
- Health status of loved ones.
- Fear of being under observation due to certain symptoms.
- Time that cannot be dedicated to work due to contingency.
- Loss or decrease of income.
- Safety with respect to the workplace.
- Need to provide food for the family, as well as medicine.
- Caring for other family members.
- Frustration and uncertainty at not knowing how long this situation could last.
- Loneliness due to estrangement from other loved ones.
- Rabies, suspecting that it could have been infected.
- Boredom.
- Loss of sense by not having the routine to which he was used.
- Irritability.
- Depression.
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep pattern.
Beyond all these issues that could cause concern, the other side of the same coin should also be seen. Understand why we are in a quarantine, find the meaning of the situation. This will help us cope and take care of mental health.
Guidelines for caring for mental health during quarantine
First of all, we must all be aware that if we were not in confinement the risks would be greater, both for ourselves and for others. So this situation involves having empathy. In addition, we can do the following:
- Inform us about what is happening, but only from reliable sources such as the bulletins of the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Avoid seeing or listening to the tabloid news that abounds on the networks.
- Remember that children’s mental health is also important and they are sensitive to what we put on television.
- Consult a health center about what medicines we might need in an unexpected case, and have them at home.
- Maintain social contact through networks. This will help us reduce anxiety and loneliness.
- Make video calls through Skype , or other applications, that allow us to see the faces of our loved ones.
- Read good books and watch a couple of movies that we find enjoyable.
- Apply relaxation and breathing techniques.
- Practice meditation or mindfulness.
Quarantined Mental Health: What Should We Remember?
Let us remember that taking care of mental health during quarantine is in our hands. Although anguish seizes us at times, we must avoid falling into despair. If necessary, it is best to contact an online psychologist for support.
Being in quarantine or confinement does not mean being isolated. We can use social media to keep in touch with all the people we love. On the other hand, if we have children, we can dedicate a couple of hours to fun activities such as drawing, cooking together or playing games.
