6 helpful hints for taking care of your nerves and mental health when confined to your home
Several weeks spent either mostly or entirely inside your own four walls: only a few days ago, this would have been unimaginable for most of us. These helpful hints will help to keep you in the best possible frame of mind despite quarantines, the lack of visitors and restrictions on going out.
Right now, people are facing tremendous challenges. Many of us are unaccustomed to staying at home. And people who are no longer able to receive visitors have to come to terms with the new situation. The first step we can take to improve our nerves and mental health is acceptance. The more we struggle, mentally and internally, against the circumstances, the less strength we will have for other purposes. So to avoid falling into a slump, it is a good idea to set a few ground rules for yourself:
1. Spend time in the sunshine
Whether in the garden, on the balcony or at the window, everyone who possibly can should take the opportunity to soak up some rays of sunshine. Everyone knows that light and warmth are good for the spirit. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths: restore your strength. Exposure to sunlight enables the body to produce Vitamin D, which is important for many physical processes. Among others things, it strengthens the immune system and improves the preservation of bones and teeth.
2. Plan your days
Structure gives us a feeling of security and can be comforting in stressful situations. There are many ways you can plan your day. Some people enjoy working to a schedule, while others do not need a fixed ritual. A well-known rule for working from the home office is “never go to work in pyjamas”. Getting up and having a shower, getting dressed for work – these little preparations for work are psychologically very important, and help get you in the right frame of mind to apply yourself and work productively. Our tip for free time at home: set three to five definite times in the day when you will do something different. This could involve household chores (doing laundry), a short workout or even a quick mindfulness exercise (10 conscious deep breaths). Stick to your usual mealtimes and sleep patterns.
3. Keep active indoors with yoga, gymnastics or qi-gong
There’s no getting around it: if you are used to heading outside for some active sporting activities several times a week, you will find the restrictions hard to live with. Perhaps you can find an indoor sport to suit you. In any case, our bodies require movement, and we can get that even while we’re in quarantine: why not try some yoga, qi-gong or gymnastics exercises? You can find plenty of suggestions, video tutorials and training programmes on the internet to try out. Remember to take calm, regular, deep breaths throughout so as to avoid injury (it’s best if you don't have to visit the doctor just now).
4. Caring for your body: Time for me
Do yourself a favour. Let’s consider this state of emergency as a gift. There has not been a comparable situation in the United States for decades ... no-one is really familiar with these conditions. Let’s see it as an opportunity. We can use this time to take care of ourselves. Caring for your body also means looking after your soul. We recommend trying something new. In spring, a drawing oil treatment is a great option.
5. Accept your feelings
Don’t forget: this situation is new to all of us. Accepting things as they are also involves accepting the people around us (housemates or families) as they are. In tense and trying times, fear and anger can come to the fore ... but these are only emotions that come and go. Our own emotions weigh us down less when we accept them and let them go. Micronutrients can help us along this journey and support the nerves and mental health.
6. Communicate and take breaks
Staying in contact with loved ones by telephone or via social media is one of the most important recommendations to keep in mind for dealing with loneliness during the isolation period. We also recommend scheduling regular break times – a digital detox – in the course of your day. If you take a break from your mobile phone, computer and TV and use that time to try something you haven’t done for a long time, then you will have more to talk about the next time you make contact. Try some craft projects, read an old favourite book, do some painting or try a new recipe: There are so many things we don’t normally have time for...
We wish you serenity and confidence for your time at home.