Australian National University Canberra: For many of us, being hit by COVID and being isolated at home can be a lonely, scary and harrowing experience and even more difficult for those already coping with mental illness. could. The following strategies are designed to help you take care of your mental health if you are a victim of COVID and isolating at home.
remember the basics
Living in uncertainty and risk, it can be difficult to remember and practice simple strategies to improve health. If you are in home isolation because of COVID, it is important to:
- Control fever and other symptoms such as pain and sore throat with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- keep eating healthy
- Increase fluid intake, especially if you have a fever
- Stop exercising for at least 10 days, and return to exercise gradually, depending on the severity of your symptoms (if you have questions about returning to exercise, check with your doctor)
- deep breathing, which can help with lung function and help you stay calm during isolation and recovery, but this should be done with your doctor’s advice
- Practice mindfulness to help cope with the inevitable anxiety during illness and separation
- Read something, watch a movie, or engage yourself in some other positive activity to take your mind off the illness and your current situation. (this is especially important for children)
- And stay connected with friends and family online or over the phone.
It is important to monitor your COVID symptoms. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has a useful symptom diary to help with in this regard. Or use the HealthDirect Symptom Checker to decide whether you need medical help. If you live alone, you need to make sure that someone keeps on contacting you on a regular basis. During this it is also necessary to avoid some things
During times of anxiety and uncertainty, such as isolating at home with the disease of COVID, it is understandable that people turn to drugs and alcohol, unhealthy eating, gambling or other addictions to overcome psychological distress. can do. These strategies can temporarily reduce stress. But they can cause more mental health problems in the long term. This time has been even more difficult for people with mental illnesses.
The pandemic has made living with mental illness even more difficult. The past few years have been challenging and exhausting for many. People suffering from mental illnesses and other chronic diseases have had to change the way they get care in this changing situation as well as adopt some form of therapy online. Recovering and managing mental illness often includes activities such as exercise, positive social engagement and therapy – all of which can be limited due to COVID restrictions, financial constraints and staff shortages.
Many essential services, including hospitals and doctors, are struggling to meet the increased demand. Isolation can be especially difficult for people who do not have a safe home. People experiencing domestic violence have more difficulty accessing care because they are not safe in their homes to interact with health professionals. Children living with domestic violence are at increased risk of harm. There is no safe place to go when schools or childcare facilities are closed, so services like family, friends and the Kids Helpline play an important role in helping children. (agency)