Effect of Quarantine on Mental Health

What is quarantine?

Quarantine is a state or place of isolation for a person who may contact contagious diseases. It is not only for those infected because people who appear healthy could spread a pathogen without ever knowing they were carriers; this is why quarantine is necessary for everyone.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led people to be quarantined in their homes and maintain social distancing as an important way to help “flatten the curve” and contain the spread of the illness to help keep infection rates as low as possible.

Check out this article for more information about social distancing.

Effect on mental health

In addition to the uncertainty and stress of the global outbreak, spending time in quarantine can take a serious toll on mental health.

With schools, colleges, workplaces shut, and various social events canceled, the chance of being confined to your home because of quarantine can be daunting. Time seems to go by much more slowly after being at home for a long period of time. Even if you are home with other family members, the sense of isolation can be powerful.

Feeling isolated can lead to poor sleep, poor cardiovascular health, lower immunity, depressive symptoms, and impaired executive function. This makes it difficult for us to focus, manage our emotions, remember information, and follow directions. It makes people feel that they have no control over the situation and cannot perform their usual tasks.

There are chances that this may have longer-term consequences as well. Substance and alcohol dependency was more common up to three years after quarantine.

While individual reactions to self-imposed or mandated isolation will vary, you may be likely to have feelings of loneliness, sadness, fear, anxiety, and stress. Such feelings are normal given the circumstances. However, there are steps you can take to protect your mental health and well-being while coping with a quarantine.

Things You Can Do to Cope

Proper Routine

The disruption in your normal daily routines can be one of the most difficult aspects of quarantine. You may feel directionless as you try to figure out how to fill all the hours of the day.

Since we have regular classes with assignments and tests, it can be helpful to structure your time much like a regular workday. This can be a challenge. It’s important to find a routine that works for you. Try creating a daily schedule, but don’t get too wrapped up in sticking to a strict routine. Make your own routines and break up the day to stave off monotony.

Stay Fit

Even relatively short periods of physical inactivity can have an impact on your health, both mentally and physically.

Staying active may help you feel better and maintain your fitness levels. It’s also a great way to help combat the sense of uneasiness and boredom that can come from being stuck inside for days.

Here are just a few things you can do to stay in shape at home:

• Exercise videos
• Bodyweight exercises
• Online workouts
• Fitness apps

Overcome Boredom

Some of the distress of being quarantined stems from boredom and frustration. Remember that routine we spoke about earlier? Keep working on projects or find new activities to fill your time and maintain that routine.

Getting things done can provide a sense of purpose and competency. It gives you something to work towards and something to look forward to each day. So make a plan, list some things you’d like to accomplish, and then start checking a few things off your list each day.

Communicate

Staying in contact with other people not only helps overcome boredom, but it is also important for minimizing the sense of isolation. Stay in touch with friends and family by phone and text. Reach out to others on social media. If possible, you join a support group or discussion board specifically for people who are in quarantine. Talking to others who are going through the same thing can provide a sense of community and empowerment.

Stay Informed but not Overwhelmed

People tend to experience greater anxiety when they feel like they don’t have access to the information that they need. On the other hand, others get panicked by being immersed 24/7 in reports that focus on inaccurate or overly negative information. Rather than spending your time watching cable news, focus on getting helpful information from trusted sources. Sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), state and local health departments, and your doctor can all be helpful.

STAY HOME. STAY SAFE!