This season we are all being asked to practice not only social distancing but to take self-isolation and quarantine measures. Being asked to stay indoors and not go about our regular routines for weeks at a time can have negative impacts on your physical and mental health if you don’t take care of different aspects of what your mind and body needs. 

Going through a public health crisis such as COVID-19 can create a lot of fear, anxiety, and social distancing measures that can very quickly lead to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. We must take steps to protect our mental health regardless of if you have pre-existing struggles with mental health.

Symptoms of Depression & Mental Illness

Depression and sadness

Fatigue, exhaustion, lethargy

Frequent napping

Heightened anxiety 

Mood swings 

Irritability 

Decreased motivation 

Changes in appetite and weight

Symptoms in Children

Children and teenagers may display signs of mental illness differently; below is a list of symptoms and signs typically seen from young children to teenagers.

Excessive Crying

Irritability and aggravation

Sadness and depression 

Upset stomachs

Headaches

Restlessness

Unhealthy eating habits

Unhealthy sleeping patterns

It is crucial to make sure your children are getting enough physical activity and mental stimulation and proper nutrition to help improve and prevent these symptoms. 

Even though we live in a day and age where the majority of not only of what we do on a day to day basis is online, there is so much more than the usual that we can take advantage of online. It is vital for our mental health to keep a variety in what we do, keep ourselves learning new information, and even trying new things to make a significance in how self-isolation affects our emotional and physical health. We must try to maintain a healthy mix of social, mental, and physical activities. 

Here are some activities to help break your Cabin Fever this COVID-19 season. 

Things To Try Online

Online Courses

There are thousands of free online courses that you can take on just about anything. Upgrade your credentials, learn a new skill or language, learn how to code a website or app. Learn how to run a business or take the courses you should have studied in college. Check out Udemy and Coursea for some great online courses.

Get some online culture virtual museum & art gallery tours. Check out some of the word’s most famous art galleries and museums that you can visit in bed. 

You can give the famous Water Lilies a virtual visit.

Ever wanted to visit The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam? It is now available online. 

Here is a list of 12 more famous museums and art galleries that have free online tours.

If those inspired you, check out this list of 10 different art classes you can take for free online.

Start A Blog/Vlog

Websites and Blogs and Vlogs are much easier to start than you think! Check out WordPress or Godaddy for free and cheap websites and blogs! Videos more your thing? Startup a YouTube channel!

Missing Wildlife?

Check out this collection of live cams with anything from Birds, Aquariums to Puppies, or Pandas! This website has a wide variety of wildlife live streams! 

Try Yoga!

I put this one in the online category because if you’re starting, it might be helpful to start with an app such as Downdog or a YouTube channel, click the link for a good channel for beginners.

Things To Try Offline

Indoor Gardening

Now that you’ve had to stock up on produce try your hand at scrap gardening! Click the link to see the variety of things you can regrow right in your own window!

Did you know that you can plant and grow your kitchen scraps? Try planting the ends of your chives, garlic, or even try your hand at an indoor avocado or pineapple tree.

Cooking

Now that you have some extra time around meals try cooking and baking your meals more than you usually would. Try experimenting with new combinations and recipes. 

Writing

Writing is hugely beneficial to your mental health! Whether you’re self-helping through journaling or just passing the time with creative or technical writing, it keeps you mentally stimulated, grounded, and gets the creative juices for everything else flowing as well!

Spring Cleaning

It is good that now and again to go through the junk drawers, clean out our basements and garages, purge the wardrobe, and finally test all of those pens that keep dying halfway through use. Not only does this benefit your house, but it can even help reduce anxiety and stress. 

Need a change?

Try freshening up the way things feel with rearranging your furniture and decor! 

Read 

Now is a great time to crack open those books you’ve meant to get around to, you know what they say, a chapter a day keeps the insanity at bay! 

Meditate and Yoga 

If you can’t go outside, go inside. Meditation, mindfulness, and yoga are all great ways of staying physically active and relaxed. These activities are also useful tools to help keep your anxiety, stress, and depression levels at a minimum.

Exercise

Get or stay in shape with at-home workouts, exercises, dancing, or get outside for a walk or a jog!

Work on your goals

Now is the best time to sit back and try to put a little reason for life’s rhyme. Try goal setting and financial planning for your current situation and future. 

Fuel Your Dreams

Start planning your dream business, or that trip, or start that book you’ve always maybe wanted to one day write. Even if its all for fun, these things that we think are silly in reality, might be the best idea on paper. 

Teach your dog (or cat) a new trick

Some old dogs can learn new tricks! Have you tried? Try teaching your animal a new trick; not only does it help your pass time, but it also keeps your animal entertained. 

Get Crafty!

Got some reno’s on the to-do-list? Start a new DIY project, refurbish, or renovation! 

Please remember social distancing is in place for everyone’s health and safety, including yours. Help flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible, washing your hands often and practicing social distancing.

Social distancing laws and other COVID-19 related news are updated daily. Follow us on here and on social media @operationheartheal to keep update an for more information on how you can stay healthy and happy at home!