Quarantine Blues and How to Overcome this Challenge
Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, the country is on the verge of another health crisis, with a daily dose of isolation and fear generating widespread psychological trauma. Experts warn that an era of mental health problems is approaching: depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.
Isolation is the leading factor that can cause mental-health related issues. “We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.”, a quote by Dalai Lama that explains human’s inclination towards social activities.
Social distancing and staying at home are the number one recommendation to avoid the spread of COVID-19, but Quarantine Blues or depression is also a serious matter. Here are some tips to overcome this challenge:
- Don’t Just Connect, Interact with Friends.
The majority of internet users know the basics of social media apps like Messenger and Twitter. With just one tap, you can already connect with your friends. BUT — is it enough to cure quarantine blues?
Yes and No. Yes, because it shows that you are concerned with your barkada. No, because isn’t it what you usually do? Step-up your game and ask your friends to try “group streaming” of your favorite Netflix show on Netflix Party, a streaming service where you can create a group chat-like panel and watch a Netflix video on sync with friends. In this way, you don’t connect but also have a fun interaction with friends.
2. Unleash your inner Nora Roberts
Maybe you haven’t discovered it yet, but who knows? Maybe you could be the next Nora Roberts. Wattpad is a great platform to showcase your talent in writing. There’s a massive selection of free novels to get inspiration from, and also it has improved User-Interface for writers.
It’s time to turn your ideas into words. A quarantine period may help you think more positively in this activity because you try to imagine better situations than it is.
3. Discover New Hobbies
Writing may not be your niche; maybe it’s origami. It could also be tidying up your space. Take this Enhanced Community Quarantine period to find a new activity.
Life is short, and according to St. Augustine of Hippo, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Let’s not take it literally, but imagine that our lives are blank pages, and let’s fill it up with great stories other than writing the same old line multiple times.
