How to cope with stress during quarantine! Don't know how to cope with restrictions during quarantine? Whether you're self-isolating because of suspected exposure, because you're at high risk, or to avoid spreading infection, you may be unprepared for the feeling of overwhelm that may arise. It is normal to experience stress while isolated. The main stress comes from worrying about contracting the virus. Add to this a decrease in social contacts. These factors can affect your mental health, anxiety or depression. People with chronic illnesses are already familiar with prolonged home loneliness. But most of us are used to leaving the house every day. Even those who are retired or not working usually travel to visit friends or do shopping. Systematic research conducted by scientists has revealed a link between social isolation and poor mental health. Therefore, it is important to take care of your mental health during self-isolation. Social distancing means avoiding large crowds, staying a safe distance from each other in public places, and only leaving home for essential items. In response, the person may begin to feel claustrophobic-like feelings. You may feel guilty about being infected or suspecting that you are infected with the virus. How best to survive self-isolation? Read news from reliable sources. Avoid media that creates panic and reports events that cannot be controlled. Replace them with those that provide reliable information about protecting yourself from the virus. Limit viewing and reading media. Watching a lot of news and reading a huge amount of articles and content can be very stressful. You can check the news twice a day. Or limit your time on social networks if everyone is talking about the virus. Make sure you look for sites that provide factual information on how to stay healthy. 2. Make an action plan. Create a daily routine to follow to reduce the risk of illness. It's as simple as washing your hands well and limiting your movement. This routine will help you take control of your condition. While isolated at home, stick to a regular schedule. During self-isolation, which seems to never end, it is important to bring your life closer to normal. This will help you cope with the situation. Start each day with a plan that you will carry out. Keep a daily journal of how you feel and what you are doing, or a symptom journal if you are being treated for an illness. These techniques will help you feel proactive. Proactivity means taking responsibility for yourself and your life, rather than passively observing what is happening. 3. Avoid herd mentality. Keep in mind that many people take measures that do not help. Do not do as everyone else does, but only what is recommended by doctors. Otherwise, your actions may be useless or even destructive. 4. Stay active. Remember that physical and mental health are interconnected. Spending a week in isolation without exercising will be bad for your mental state. What you can do at home: - do morning exercises, yoga or home workouts with medium intensity. - Run on a treadmill if you have one. - Eat a balanced diet. - Sleep 7-8 hours. - Organize your leisure time. This will help you stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible during stressful times. Taking care of yourself also supports your immune system. Here are some leisure ideas: Give yourself a foot massage or a foot spa. Take a bath. Treat your pet. Cook healthy food..