How to Take Care of Your Mental Health While Quarantined

Keep from feeling like a prisoner as Covid-19 spreads the globe

Did you know, the term stir-crazy originated in London in the 19th century? Stir is what criminals often called the notorious Newgate Prison in London, so going stir-crazy is essentially feeling like you’re in prison.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably at least a few days, or possibly even weeks into the Covid-19 (coronavirus) quarantine. You know to look for signs that you’re not physically well, like fever, tiredness, and dry cough, but do you know how to check for signs that you’re not mentally well?

Cabin fever and stir crazy are popular idioms for the common reaction of being isolated in a building for a long period of time. While not everyone going stir crazy will suffer in the same way, here are some common symptoms:

  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Boredom
  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Stress
  • Feelings of dissatisfaction

Being stir crazy can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Knowing how to cope with being inside all day, every day is not only crucial to your mental health, but your physical health as well. Not maintaining your stress and anxiety levels can inhibit your body’s ability to regulate inflammatory responses to fight off illness!

Bright light therapy involves exposure to lights to regulate a person’s circadian rhythm.  Our circadian rhythm, or biological clock, is responsible for:

  • Alertness
  • Hunger
  • Metabolism
  • Fertility
  • Mood
  • Sleep

Being inside all day without sunlight can be a huge detriment to your circadian rhythm. Light therapy tricks your mind into releasing serotonin in the morning, which will also regulate your melatonin production in the evenings. Using a light box can keep your days inside happy and your nights restful. If you’re worried about mental health during quarantine, have you tried light therapy yet?

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