As someone who spends weeks at a time isolated in my flat because of chronic health issues, I have a few tips for keeping up morale for those of you experiencing this for maybe the first time! These apply to remote working too. I hope they help! 🤗💕
1. Routine. Sounds boring but absolutely essential. Allow a day or two of slobbing, but then try and implement a light schedule to give your days shape: alarm, music and dancing with breakfast, set lunch and dinner times, bit of evening yoga, etc. Whatever works for you!
2. Calls with friends. Makes SO MUCH DIFFERENCE when you need social interaction to feel mentally healthy (which is most of us). Schedule these in or be spontaneous! If other friends are quarantining too, they’ll want to stay connected. Utilise the power of FaceTime!
3. Exercise. Of course this is dependent on your mobility/health. But if you usually go to the gym, keep to that routine but switch to home workouts. If you can’t do intense exercise, still try to move a bit every few hours. Light stretches, a little walk around, etc.
4. Cosy home atmosphere. I live in a noisy Parisian flat where I can hear everything my neighbours do, so to create a bit of peace I light candles, play nature sound videos on YouTube, cuddle up on the sofa in my favourite blanket etc. Make a sweet space for yourself ☁️✨✨
5. Minimise phone time. I know, this one’s super hard. But as many of us know, the internet isn’t always good for anxiety. Put your phone away for an hour or two at a time. Especially useful if you’re working, but also to avoid focusing too much on the news etc.
This doesn’t mean *no* internet! Connection is good, and evidently I’m a fan of Twitter. But too much can get you stuck in your head, and if you’re isolated at home - especially if you live alone - you need to give your head as much calm, positive space as possible. Leading to...
6. Meditation. It might not be for you, but I urge you to give it a go! You need to be a bit disciplined about it so stick to it for at least a week. Five mins is all you need - make a cosy space to sit/lie, put on chill music or nature sounds, and focus on slow, deep breaths.
There are some wonderful free YouTube tutorials to follow if you need a bit of guidance (always got to love @yogawithadriene) and apps like @Headspace and @calm are great!
7. Read! The temptation to binge watch series is great. And that’s also fun to do! But reading has been proven to stimulate the mind more, and it also gets us away from screens, so you’ll often feel far more nourished mentally and in the soul after some time with a good book 📚
8. Create and play! You might be losing access to some of your favourite activities, but use this as a chance to discover new ones or rediscover old favourites! Pick up some paints, try journaling, dance, game, learn a language - have fun and explore!
9. Find small joys. This is something disabled people cultivate over many years, I think (or at least I’ve seen it with me and disabled friends). Being forced to stay in is crap, but it also gives you time to slow down. To look around. To notice life’s miraculous little details.
The way the sunshine feels coming in through the window. A neighbour dancing in their flat across the street. The feeling of a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Laughing with loved ones over the phone. There is so much joy to be found in this life, and in so many different ways.
Pay attention. Breathe. Keep your eyes and heart and soul open. I know it’s not easy but I hope that if anything, this time at home allows you to feel immense gratitude that you have a safe space to be, and that there is so much enjoyment to be found in the small things 💛🌈💫
Wow thank you everyone for your love! More great tips have been added in the comments below by fellow WFHers. If you'd like to say thank you, I'd love it if you called up your local indie bookshop to order a book or two (most deliver), they really need the extra love right now ❤️
I also have a kofi if you'd like to donate to my own personal book-buying account, which I do through my local indie. So yay, it all goes around! 🌈 ko-fi.com/natashangan
