How to Help Mental Health When You're Isolated
By Brandi Goodman
When you're suffering from poor mental health, it's encouraged to connect with others. It's recommended to spend time with friends, surround yourself with family, and do what you can to get out and about where other people are. This isn't possible when you're isolated and need to stay at home. Perhaps you're sick and can't be around others or there's a crisis going on in the world and no one can be out and about. Whatever the reason, there's still some options you have to help your mental health even when you're isolated and alone.
Connect With Others
Connecting with others is still going to be important. You just have to learn to do it in different ways. Just because you can't see someone in person doesn't mean you can't still pick up the phone and give them a call. Hearing their voice can be a great help and the two of you can talk through what it is you're feeling. Finding someone who understands those thoughts themselves is even better. You can video chat, call, text, or even start a pen pal relationship.
Exercise
Sitting alone in bed or the couch for hours or worse -- days -- on end can be detrimental to your mental well-being. You should get up and exercise as a way to release some endorphins and get yourself feeling a bit better. Turn up some inspirational music and do a workout that really leaves you sweating. It's not just great for your body, but your mind as well.
Start a New Hobby
Finding something to look forward to can really help your mood. Start a new hobby and do something you enjoy. Plant a garden. Take up guitar. Learn a new language. Read a new genre. Paint. Draw. Write. There are so many options out there. Think about what you'd like to try and go ahead. You can focus your mind on the task at hand rather than the isolation you're feeling.
Set a Routine
Sometimes a routine is all we need to get ourselves feeling more stable. Not having to get up for work each day doesn't mean you should be staying in bed. Stick to your normal wake-up time. Eat a healthy breakfast. Shower. Do an activity. Schedule a phone call. Set some time for outdoors if possible, even in your own yard. Stick to a lunch and dinner time and make sure you're going to bed around the same hour each night. Having this routine can be a huge help to still feel like things are normal and not so out of whack.
Mental health is a serious matter that should never be taken lightly. Do what you can to keep yourself feeling as well as possible. That can be tricky when you're isolated and stuck at home alone, but it isn't impossible. Stay connected with others and make sure to note the signs of a truly dangerous situation. You can always reach out for help to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wilmington, N.C.