The only person with the foresight to understand we would not be prepared to handle a global outbreak was Bill Gates. If you don’t believe me, check out this Ted Talk he gave in 2015 titled “The next outbreak? We’re not ready” where he discusses our lack of infrastructure and unified preparation.
If you didn’t have Bill Gates’s almost eerie foresight, and found yourself totally blindsided by this outbreak, I’m going to go through how to take care of yourself in quarantine: mind, body, and spirit.
Mind
Staying mentally acute proves to be more difficult when all you’re tempted to do is lounge in bed with TV. My favorite thing that I’ve adopted is trying to learn a new skill with this extra time at home. Recently, I’m harnessing my arts and crafts skills and teaching myself how to do canvas painting. However, it is completely understandable that a global pandemic takes a larger toll on the body and may not give you any extra free time. In fact, I find that I have higher stress levels during quarantine versus when I was back on campus with my classes and extracurriculars.
So how to cope?
The best advice here is to listen to your body. Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are all wonderful ways to center your mind and focus on what is truly important. We may not be able to control this pandemic, but we have some say in how we respond to it.
In times of stress, I often turn to a comforting book or Netflix series. It is important to remember that your cutthroat, scheduled to the minute routine you followed back on campus may not be the best way to maintain your mental wellbeing throughout the next couple of months in quarantine.
Body
Again, quarantine may not be the best time to start a new exercise regimen. Especially if you are feeling more stressed than usual. If you feel you fall into this category, try going for daily walks outside. The vitamin D from the sun and the general mood boost you will feel from the outdoors is unparalleled and truly works wonders for coping with severe to mild depression. Anything to get your body going and your heart rate on the upward climb is exactly what the doctor prescribed.
If you are feeling up to it, quarantine may be a good opportunity to boost your immune system with some exercise. Popsugar fitness (a Youtube channel) has released a whole series of FREE workout videos that you can do from your home, or check out fitness trainer Chloe Ting. I tried her workouts because I shamefully saw her videos on TikTok and really liked how she combined tough moves with fun songs to keep you motivated.
Spirit
Journal time! Understanding and documenting your feelings during this especially difficult times proves to be very beneficial to both your mood and your spiritual wellbeing. Again, mediating daily or being mindful of your situation are the best ways to keep your body and its spirit in check.
Whatever you decide to do throughout the following weeks, remember that your health is the most important thing. So, take the time to take care of yourself and your loved ones during this pandemic.