How to remain positive and forward moving during #selfisolation and #socialdistancing

Millions of people are currently being compelled to #socialdistance and #selfisolate in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Many of us may not have not have experienced substantial time in isolation before. It can be scary, especially when you don’t know when it may end and what the health, financial and social consequences may be for your life and your loved ones.

Over the past decade I have spent weeks and months completely isolated in order to write, develop coaching materials and work on myself. Although my isolation has been intentional and planned, I have developed a number of practical daily strategies to deal with uncertainty and loneliness. Here are my five top tips for remaining positive and forward moving (and keeping most of my sanity in tact).

Strategy 1: Exercise before breakfast

If I can’t go outside (due to weather, no access to a gym or walking paths) I exercise inside. I do this before breakfast, because after breakfast I just want to lounge around in the glorious after glow of food intake.

Even though I know a lot of exercise routines, I nearly always follow a YouTube video because then I can switch my mind off and follow the instructor. I have a number of pilates and yoga videos I rotate through on a weekly basis. Sometimes I just want the tried and familiar, sometimes I feel like switching things up.

I will also have a sunset session of exercise which may just be a gentle stretching or a stress release yoga sequence. If I can, I will go for a long walk. Being in nature is incredibly grounding.

A regular routine helps, because I simply follow it. The post exercise feels always makes me want to do it again the next day. My body and mind feel somewhat empowered and ready to rock (in whatever way I choose) from the exercise.

Strategy 2: Make nourishing food

Nourishing food is essential. If you can get access to fresh vegetables and fruits, these will boost your immune system at the same time. I love cooking, but even if you don’t, learning a few quick recipes (there is a wealth of healthy blogs, YouTube vids and Pinterest posts for quick tasty meals). Make more than you need and freeze some. If you can, swap some with a neighbour or even better donate a few meals to the elderly folk down the road (if you have good relationship and it’s safe and healthy to do so).

If you are able to freeze and swap food, it will add variety to your diet and also help you connect to your local community.

Adding and preparing healthy food into your day is a very loving thing to do for yourself. It certainly makes me feel good.

Strategy 3: Have a project (or three!)

As a writer and an online coach I am always working on a few projects simultaneously. This helps me keep motivated. I have goals that I am continuously working towards and this also gives me variety. The goals in themselves are motivating for me, but also reporting in on social media and to my friends on my progress helps keep me going.

Now is the time to think about something you’d like to learn more about. Do you have a hobby you’d like to dive into more? Want to learn a foreign language? As long as there is internet there is a wealth of opportunities to do online courses (many are free) on almost any topic of interest.

Is there a side hustle that you’ve always wanted to start? Now is the time to learn more about it, study what you need to do to develop a business and learn from people in the industry by checking out their website and other materials. 

Strategy 4: Connect!

I have spent days at a time watching the latest Netflix series. I find when I have done this over a period of days I get into a slump. Making progress on something that is important to me makes me feel better and more motivated. So spend time watching movies or series then stop. Start on strategy 3 above and also connect.

Social media was designed to help people positively connect with friends all over the world. Get in touch with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Call a loved one. Video messaging apps outbound these days and most are free.

Think about people that need support. Share love with service industry workers. These are people who risk their lives everyday but we don’t remember to acknowledge: nurses, doctors, rubbish collectors, truck drivers and all the wonderful service industry folks. Without them everything would stop. Send them love today!

Ask yourself the following question: if this were your last week on earth, (and I trust it won’t be), what would you like to be remembered for? What message would you like to leave for those that are important to you?

And finally think about how you can help. Check facts before sharing information (misinformation can led to more fear, distrust and even panic). Is there a neighbour you can check on? What messages would be helpful to share with your loved ones and community? How can you support others who may be out of work because they are casual, are sick, or artists who have had their gigs cancelled?

Strategy 5: Breathe outside

Nature is powerful. If you can get outside on a balcony or a backyard, fantastic. If you can go for a walk, even better. If none of these are available to you, open a window for a while. See if you can get some sun rays or cloud rays!

Breathe in as deeply as you can and exhale slowly. Repeat a few times or seven. 

Observe the life going on around you. Listen. 

This will help calm and refresh you.

Bonus strategy: feel all the feelings

Emotions are big right now. Fear, anxiety and panic have taken over many of us. What I know is that you need to feel the feelings. Feelings need to be given their time in order to transform. Pushing them down means that they will be condensed over time, and potentially explode later in ways that are not helpful for ourselves or others.

Feel the fear and anxiety for as long as you can, then take a break. Journal about what comes up or talk to someone about it. 

Another thing we know is that if you are feeling this way, so are many others. Connection is a key tool in transformation and healing.

I hope this is helpful to you! Let me know your strategies for dealing with isolation.