You are not alone...

Because they can only make you smile!

With times such as these forced upon us, we are all being asked to ‘socially distance’ ourselves from other people. This is such an important thing to practice and we all should be doing it, even if we don’t think we need to. For some people out there it is vital to protecting the future of their lives. It can’t be stressed enough, even though it has been said a lot, but we really do need to stay home to help the world stay safe.

At times of social isolation, we are all being asked to spend more time alone, and less time with others. Some of us are lucky enough to be able to have some form of interaction from the people we live with, but for others they are completely on their own. From personal experience, I know I struggle when being asked to spend a lot of time alone. I have too much time to think about my own thoughts and this can cause me to feel quite down and negative. I have been fortunate enough to be able to move back home to be with my family until all this madness settles down, but this isn’t the case for everyone and there is no denying it can be extremely difficult to cope, but this is ok.

When you feel lonely, and as a consequence negative and down, it is important not to beat yourself up. It is only natural to feel this way. There is nothing wrong with you or your mind, it is how the majority of all humans feel when they spend too much time on their own. We are so used to having lots of human interaction that there is no surprise, when this is cut off, that we struggle. Whilst it is a horrible way to feel, just remember, you are never truly on your own. Here are a few ideas of how you can tackle this difficult time of isolation.

​Fresh air.

If you are still able to get outside for your daily dose of fresh air, don’t let this opportunity pass you by. It is incredible how much better and clear-headed fresh air can make you feel. Whether you go out for a short walk or a run, this time outside in nature can bring a big boost to your day and really help your mental wellbeing. Just remember, stay at least 2m away from anyone who doesn’t live in your household. If however, you are in complete isolation and can’t get outside, fresh air can still make a huge difference. Open your windows and let the wind blow into your house. Not only will this make your mind feel fresher, it will also make your house feel cleaner. If you have been cooped up inside for a while, you can begin to feel dirty, even if you are extremely clean! The fresh air blowing through your house can help keep the air inside moving so you don’t feel dirty and confined!

Face time your friends/family.

Whilst social media and technology may drive us mad at times, it is truly coming to the fore right now. The ability to check in with friends and relatives without seeing is so valuable. It is important at these times to remain in contact with our loved ones. They may be struggling with this situation just as much as you are, so please do give them a call. FaceTime is also a great device as you can actually see the person you are talking to. Being able to see their face makes it feel as though you have actually interacted with someone during the day. Phoning can feel just as distant as texting at times. Seeing the face of the person on the other end of the line reminds you that you aren’t alone.

If you don’t have the facilities to FaceTime a phone call will still make you feel that little bit less alone!

Set a daily plan.

Setting yourself a plan for the day can help prevent you from drifting through the week feeling lost and without direction. Even without isolation, I do this on a daily basis as it helps give structure to my day. Starting the list with details that you wouldn’t usually write down such as waking up, getting dressed, and eating breakfast can start your day with intent. If you have wanted to watch a particular movie, or you’ve been meaning to tidy your wardrobe for the last few months, or you have some life admin that you keep putting off, write these on the list and tick them off as they get done. This will also help you feel as though you have achieved something in your day. By ticking something off, even if it is just eating breakfast, you’ve been successful at that! This adds some positivity to your day.

Try new things.

When trying new things, there is no saying you have to do anything drastic or radical. This may be down to the meals you make. When working from home, meal times become an important part of the day as they break it up. Be experimental and make things you have never made before. Due to the lack of ingredients in the supermarkets you may have to get creative and try something really outside of your comfort zone, but this can be fun and exciting! Also try making meals that you enjoy and look forward to, so you have something else to brighten your day. You may also have wanted to practice drawing or colouring, or photography, whatever it is, give it a go!

So, if you are struggling with self-isolation and feeling alone, reach out to other people, as you are definitely not alone. You can always contact me if you just want a chat!