Despite some recent solid progress in flattening the COVID-19 curve in Australia, what is evident is that in the absence of a vaccine, quarantining and social distancing may remain in place in some way for some time yet. Added to this, we are still having to cope with the disruption in our normal routine, and the difficulty to meet our loved ones or even hang out with friends at the pub.

This, coupled with the added stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak, poses serious challenges to our mental health. However, there are some key elements that, if taken care of, can definitely help us look after your mental health.

1.  Remain active

While quarantine may be only temporary, physical inactivity even for a brief period can be detrimental towards our physical and emotional wellbeing.

Staying active can help fight off the negative thoughts that are likely to find their way to an idle mind. Additionally, you can also overcome the inevitable sense of uneasiness and boredom that come from staying at home for a long period of time.

Luckily, there are ample of resources pertaining to home-based workout that can help you sustain your physical activity while being quarantined inside your home at the same time.

2.  Communicate regularly

Staying connected to the world serves as an excellent means of fighting boredom, it also reduces the sense of isolation. We are so lucky to be living in a digital world that even in times when social distancing is the status quo, we are still able to virtually meet our loved ones through instant messaging and video calls. There are a wide variety of apps available both on the App Store and Google’s Play Store that offer free video calling service to users.

Reaching out to your social media community can help you keep your brain occupied, potentially alleviating the chances of you getting stressed over having to stay inside your home.

Another increasingly popular tip is joining a discussion board or support group created particularly for people in quarantine. Getting to know about others in the same boat as you, has a positive impact on your emotional wellbeing, as it provides you with a sense of community that you are not alone in this and gives you the courage to face it.

3.  Stay informed, but not overwhelmed

Access to information is, hands down, the most vital part of the life of every person during this pandemic. However, getting too much information can be counterproductive.

If staying informed is the aim, then consider reliable sources?

Sources like the World Health Organization (WHO), UN reports, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health advisories both state and local, and medical personnel are all considered as trusted sources of information.

Options are diverse and coping with the challenges to your mental health is possible, as long as you accept the reality and decide to mold your lifestyle according to the situation.

Blog post written by Pinnacle Health Group. Visit their website: https://pinnaclehealthgroup.com.au/.