Quarantine is a stressful time for everyone. This can be especially for those with mental health issues, those at risk, for those who have family members at risk, and people with abusive or toxic households.
The CDC recommends ways to cope with stress and/or a pre-existing mental health issue. They say to not obsess over the news, take extra care of your body: exercise, eat healthy, and meditate; and to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
The Camas High School counselors are offering video call mental health counseling as well.
Due to social distancing and quarantine, we are trapped in our homes which can be exhausting especially for a teenager –constantly being surrounded by family and never getting a moment alone.
If you don’t like the CDC recommendations or you find me to be a more reputable source as a teenager with an annoying family: here are my tips and tricks to cope with social distancing and quarantine.
Tip 1: Completely ignore everything on the news. The news always gets me more worked up, and I feel like quarantine is never gonna be over. It’s not pretending like it’s not happening- It’s to keep the obsession away.
Tip 2: Get dressed like you would as much as possible. It helps to feel normal. Wearing sweats a lot can also make you feel lazy and unmotivated. Wearing outfits even just for a few hours helps me feel productive and motivates me to work.
Tip 3: Cook all the time, almost obsessively. Food makes people happy and focusing on other tasks helps to keep the depression at bay. Also, the success of your food will feel great and the failures will be funny.
Tip 4: If you don’t like cooking this step might be for you. Drawing and painting. Art soothes the soul or at least some people’s souls. Drawing always makes me less stressed.
Tip 5: Sometimes it’s hard to draw or paint when your feeling depressed. You can be uninspired and/or unmotivated. This is where coloring, puzzles, and knitting come in handy. I’ve found that these activities pass time and are pressureless, unlike art. They are still fulfilling.
Tip 6: Stay in touch with friends and family as much as possible. Facetime or call friends and family, because social distancing is still in place. If you don’t want to talk to someone, maybe an annoying friend, a boring family member, or you just want to be alone just say you have to take a shower. It always works for me.
Tip 7: This is the most important thing. If you ever feel hopeless, in crisis, or suicidal talk to someone you trust or call one these hotlines below.
Teen Talk: (360)397-2428 (chat)
Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Team: (800) 626-8137
Clark County Crisis Line:(800) 626-8137
National suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Quarantine is hard and lonely. Take each day as an opportunity to do something new or to finish something old. Just remember there’s no pressure quarantine is what you make of it, and if you want it to be snacks and Netflix, then it will be.
