Individuals with mild to no symptoms can now self-isolate and recover at home thanks to recent changes in healthcare protocols. The authorities will ask those who have been diagnosed with HIV to provide information about their current living arrangements. They will also give advice on whether they can be isolated at home or in a community facility.
You don’t have to be isolated in isolation facilities. Your mental health is equally important. These are some ways to take care of yourself in isolation.
1. Keep active.
Inactivity can result from being confined in a small area. This can have serious consequences for our physical and mental health. Make it a habit to at least do some basic exercises, such as yoga, aerobics, and stretches. You can also combat boredom caused by being indoors for too long. To monitor important stats like fitness, oxygen, and stress levels, you can use fitness trackers.
These are some suggestions:
- Applications for fitness
- Online classes for exercise
- Exercise videos
- Resistance
- Weights exercises
- Stationary treadmill or bicycle
2. Learn something new or take up a hobby.
You’ll have the perfect opportunity to start a hobby or rekindle an interest you’ve had for a while but never had the time. You can also make use of this time to improve yourself, learn new skills or have fun with something that will help you in your job search.
These are some suggestions:
- Learn a new language
- You can learn a new skill, such as: Cooking, baking, sewing knitting, origami and jewellery making, coding
- Read at least one book
- You should watch a Netflix series you don’t normally see and ensure you finish it
You can learn how to create videos and start a YouTube channel to document your COVID-19 journey.
3. Connect with people who matter.
Sometimes, it can be stressful to stay isolated for long periods of time. You may need to be in your own room, away from other people, but you can still communicate with family and friends via phone calls, email, and text messages. Keep in touch with your loved ones, whether you live at home or away. You can share your emotions, discuss happy times, or just be there for one another.
These are some suggestions:
- You can connect with your loved ones by phone or video calling.
- Talk about your feelings, especially if you’re in the same boat.
- Plan for activities and meet-ups after the quarantine.
- Keep an eye on one another.
If you have a loved one who is in quarantine at the same moment, but in different places, send food and gifts to one another.
4. Keep informed but not overwhelmed
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the information available in the digitalized world. This can lead to anxiety. You don’t have to spend too much time looking at the news or scrolling through your feed mindlessly. Instead, look for essential information on websites like the Ministry of Health and reduce the amount of news that you consume. It’s important to be aware of what’s happening around you, but not allow it to overwhelm you.
These are some suggestions:
- Take 15-30 minutes every day to read the news.
- Limit the number of news outlets that you follow on social networks
- Restricting access to only websites of health authorities that provide current information
5. If you are in need of professional assistance,
Isolation can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. If you need to isolate yourself in Singapore, you have easy access to professional help, including counsellors, telemedicine operators, and a quarantine buddy. Although we should not overload our healthcare professionals, you can still seek professional help if necessary.
Self-isolation is not the best or most comfortable option for everyone. However, it can help to keep our loved ones safe so we can thrive in the new normal. Remember that everyone can make the best of this situation. It may even be a way to get away from the daily grind of life or to help yourself. Remember to take care of your mental health – reaching out is always okay.
