5 Quarantine Tips for Coping with Social Isolation While Social Distancing | Counselor

5 Tips for Coping with Social Isolation While Social Distancing

1 in 5 Americans are in social isolation in their homes due to the COVID-19 virus.  5 states have now issued “stay at home orders,” which entails no going out in public to bars, nightclubs, restaurants, gyms, entertainment venues, places of worship, weddings, parks, beaches.  Exceptions are grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies. It is likely that more states will continue to issue such orders in order to bend the curve and decrease the exposure of Americans to COVID-19.

Social isolation leads to loneliness which leads to depression.  This can then lead to health decline, a shorter life-span and hopelessness.  Cigna Healthcare released their 2020 Loneliness Index in January 2020 and said that 1 in 5 Americans are lonely.  Specifically, 79 percent of Gen Zers, 71 percent of millennials and 50 percent of baby boomers feel lonely.  

We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our families and the general public from this infectious disease, but while we socially distance it is important that we do not socially isolate ourselves.  Here are 5 Tips for Coping with Social Isolation While Socially Distancing.

1. Get Outside:  Even though we might be confined to our homes, taking walks and exercising a few times per day is essential to keep our blood flowing and will help to boost the serotonin levels in your brain.  You can still stay safely away from other people while you take bike rides with your kids, do an outside scavenger, or have the time to start a new fitness routine. Our neighborhood kids are participating in Chalk the Walk Challenges where kids make original art on their driveways and then neighbors can walk around and view it from a safe distance.  Try starting this in your neighborhood. 
2. Visit from A Far:  Load yourself or your kids up in the car and park yourself in their friends’ driveway.  They can stay safely inside your car while they talk to each other, read books to each other, eat a snack together, draw pictures together.  This can also be done with kids across the street from each other in neighborhoods.  
3. Use Your Cell Phone Smartly.  This week us Moms who started homeschooling our kids all got on Facetime together.  It was so good to see each other and not feel like we are doing this alone. Our kids were able to do so afterwards as well.  This can also be accomplished using other social and video platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, Cocoon, Squad or Zoom.  
4. Don’t Forget to Touch.  Touching is an important part of combating loneliness and calming anxiety.  Take the time to give your kids, spouses and partners extra long hugs. While doing so give words of comfort and reassurance to each other.  If you are single use a warm blanket, weighted blanket or robe to wrap around you. You can also do self-massage at home or use EFT Tapping techniques which have shown to help calm anxiety.  Videos can be found online.
5. Help Someone:  Helping others can bring a great sense of reward and keep you connected to others.  Check in with your friends, loved ones, neighbors and the elderly. If they are not able to shop for themselves, order then a meal or groceries to be delivered.  If you have bought in bulk way too much consider dropping off a care package that may consist of a few rolls of toilet paper, a zip lock bag of a few wipes, snacks and some non-perishable food.  Write a note and let them know that you are praying for them.

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Author: Lyris Steuber, MA, LMFT is a Lake Mary Child Play Therapist & Teen Counselor with Total Life Counseling Center. Total Life Counseling Center specializes in helping children, families, teens and parents and our experts can be reached at (407) 248-0030.

Lyris Steuber

Do you find yourself wishing you had a better relationship with your spouse or partner? How about with your children? If so, Lyris can help. Having experienced personal loss, divorce, and the stress of parenting, she knows life can be tough. She will listen to you, offer constructive solutions and help you thrive in your personal life not just "survive." With over 16 years of experience working with couples, individuals, children and families, Lyris will strive to bring you hope and healing. Young children will love playing with her as she helps them express themselves in a safe and warm environment. They will not even realize they are learning how to control their anger, impulses or emotions as she teaches them how to recognize their strengths instead of their failures.

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