Self-isolation is a forced measure within the current situation of this turbulent time. On the one hand, we feel safe at home, but on the other hand, a long stay within four walls affects many aspects of health, life and well-being. What unpleasant consequences can self-isolation lead to and how to prevent them?
We moved the work to the house
For office workers, the opportunity to work from home seems like a fairy tale: there is no need to go to the office, stand in traffic jams, jostle in public transport. You can drink coffee and tea in unlimited quantities, lunch is always delicious and homemade. But when faced with the real need to settle down at home, many were at a loss: in reality, not everything turned out to be so rosy and fabulous.
Suddenly finding ourselves in new, unusual conditions, we begin to be torn between work, household chores, the need to feed everyone breakfast, lunch or dinner, and then also do homework with the children. And now the already fragile and vulnerable line between work and family is melting like ice cream in the sun.
Even for a short time, such circumstances can lead to fatigue, mood swings and serious stress. How to prevent this from happening? Quite simply: you need to learn that only one thing has changed — the place of work, and not herself. And also try to keep the usual mode, this will greatly simplify your task. Tell yourself: from such and such an hour I am in the “office” (of course, with a break for lunch and a cup of tea). During working hours, you need to work and try not to be distracted by household chores — and only after the end of the working day, devote time to your family.
The other extreme of working at home, which is most often forgotten, is an irregular schedule, when you stop controlling the number of hours spent at the computer, and work overtime day after day, finishing things closer to night. This behavior will bring you nothing but stress. Believe me, no one will appreciate your workaholism: no one will even notice it, because you work from home. In this situation, again, the regime is effective, which will help you regain time for yourself and your family.
Not only you, but also the household should understand the importance of the situation, so it would be wise to sit down and talk to the family: explain the situation to them and ask for support. There are hours for leisure — and there are working hours.
We read a lot of unnecessary things
The other side of the coin of self-isolation is that now we have more time to watch news feeds. And what is there now? A stream of negative information that is causing panic. A constant cycle of unpleasant news creates a feeling of helplessness, which negatively affects the productivity of everyday life. And the best solution in the current circumstances will be forced filtering of information. Everyone can manage their attention, so direct it to more pleasant things.
If you think that self-isolation can only lead you to stress and depression, know that this is not so. A number of studies show that reading books, exercising, listening to classical music and meditation are effective and reliable ways to maintain mental balance and resist stress. Pay attention to indoor flowers, after all! Do something for yourself, instead of getting involved in unpleasant discussions. Healthy indifference and a sense of humor in such a situation will be useful, now these are your most effective tools against stress and depression.
We eat a lot and move a little
Being in self-isolation, we all began to eat more. Imperceptibly, additional snacks appeared, and even full-fledged meals in the form of a second breakfast and a third lunch. And it’s not just that the refrigerator with all the delicacies is now within walking distance, but also under stress… From the situation in the world, bad news, uncertainty of the future, the inability to go out, being around the same people around the clock — you can list it for a long time. Are you reading this — and you want to go and make yourself a sandwich? Then the mechanism is already running in you: stress has settled in your body.
By the way, for many now trips to the kitchen and back are almost the only motor activity. Few people can really assess how much their physical activity has actually decreased. But let’s figure it out together. Even if you didn’t go to the pool or do yoga before, you still went — to work and for other things — that is, on average, you took from 6,000 to 12,000 steps a day. Now, on especially “lazy” days, your activity decreases to 100 steps per day. Draw your own conclusions!
In order not to gain “quarantine” kilograms over the coming month, try adding sorbents to the diet. It can be bran, other coarse fiber.
Of course, we should not forget about physical exercises. Many of them do not require complex equipment, you just need a desire — and free time, which we now have enough. It is known that one of the most energy-consuming exercises are squats. The muscles of the legs, buttocks, lower back and press are included in the work. By the way, it is also an excellent prevention of varicose veins. The main thing is to follow the rules of execution.
We check ourselves and our loved ones for strength
Self-isolation is also a test of strength for relationships. According to already available data, in China — in the country that first introduced the self — isolation and quarantine regime-the number of divorces has increased significantly over the past few months.
Such a boom in divorces is explained by the fact that married couples were simply not ready for such a long time together. An additional trigger was the stressful situation in the world and society, against which even the toilet seat is not lowered is already a reason for divorce.
Psychologists have identified several “exercises” that will help maintain relationships. At first glance, these are simple and sometimes obvious tips, but they carry a deep psychological subtext:
- try to go to bed in the same bed — and at the same time, it will strengthen the connection between you;
- spend at least 15 minutes daily on personal communication with your spouse. Not while watching TV or having lunch, but looking into each other’s eyes, being alone;
- give each other small gifts and make pleasant surprises. Studies show that this strengthens the couple’s bond.
Will we make a demographic explosion?
The news that the number of divorces has increased in China has touched the hearts of many. And in attempts to preserve and strengthen interpersonal relationships, the main emphasis should be placed on respect for the partner, care for him and, of course, romance.
Taking this into account, what is the probability of a demographic explosion after forced self-isolation? More than real. No one undertakes to make accurate forecasts, as they say, time will tell. And there are no official statements, forecasts and data-but, on the other hand, why not really use your free time with pleasure!
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