Looking after your mental health while self-isolating
Subscribe
X

Subscribe to Forte Magazine

Looking after your mental health while self-isolating

Last month we were told we had to change the way we interact as human beings in our society.

This was part of Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy’s advice on strict Government social-distancing requirements to help flatten the coronavirus curve, and while social distancing and isolation are key in helping to reduce further spread of the virus, these measures can also have an adverse impact on mental health.

With an increasing number of call and emails about coronavirus to the Beyond Blue Support Service, and their ‘Coping during the coronavirus outbreak’ online forum receiving an average of 2000 hits per day, Beyond Blue have developed a whole suite of online resources to support the community during the rising concern about coronavirus.

You can visit the hub of information via their website, but we thought we’d first share their top tips for supporting your mental health during periods of self-isolation or quarantine.

• Remind yourself that this is a temporary period of isolation to slow the spread of the virus. While it is reasonable for people to be concerned about the outbreak of coronavirus, try to remember that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

• Remember that your effort is helping others in the community avoid contracting the virus.

• Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone. Social contact and maintaining routines can be supportive for our mental health and wellbeing.

• Connect with others via the Beyond Blue forums thread: Coping during the coronavirus outbreak.

• Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing.

• Keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy foods.

• Try to maintain physical activity.

• Establish routines as best possible and try to view this period as a new experience that can bring health benefits.

• For those working from home, try to maintain a healthy balance by allocating specific work hours, taking regular breaks and, if possible, establishing a dedicated work space.

• Avoid news and social media if you find it distressing. Being exposed to large volumes of negative information can heighten feelings of anxiety. While it’s important to stay informed, you may find it useful to limit your media intake.

• If you do want to stay informed, make sure to access good quality information from credible sources (such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organisation).

• Seek support if you need it. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed by news of the outbreak. Beyond Blue encourages people who have experienced mental health issues in the past to activate your support network or continue with your treatment plan if you are currently on one, acknowledge feelings of distress, seek professional support early if you’re having difficulties.

• If you’re in isolation and you’re experiencing financial hardship, there are people available to help. For information and services provided by the Australian Government, head to Services Australia. If you are experiencing financial hardship, National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling.

Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources at beyondblue.org.au.

If you need assistance please visit the dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. Trained mental health professionals are available to talk to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via phone, webchat and email.