Social Distancing? Tips to Maintain your Mental Health

Social distancing is the right response to the coronavirus pandemic; however, we need the opposite in response to the loneliness epidemic. If you do have to social isolate just remember this is temporary, and there are plenty of things you can do to make the most of your time at home to help maintain and take care of your mental health.

-Breakout a puzzle you have been wanting to do all winter. There are many benefits to doing a puzzle; improved memory, better problem-solving skills, and it may even increase our brains’ production of dopamine, as well as lower stress levels.

–Declutter your home. Having an organized space can provide a sense of confidence and reduce stress.

-Learn a new skill. Whether it be makeup tutorials, language lessons, learning the guitar, etc., you can find tons of free tutorials on the internet to learn something new.

-Learn to meditate. Meditation is shown to increase your energy levels, happiness, and inspiration.

-Have dinner with a friend via Facetime.

-Try a new recipe. Cooking is a great way to boost your mental health.

-Take a virtual museum tour. Many museums offer online virtual tours.

-Begin a new book or start a new podcast series.

-Exercise. Here are 10 exercises.

-Start journaling. Journaling helps bring you into the state of mindfulness. Follow these journal prompts to get started.

Whether you go off this list or have other plans while staying home and staying healthy, it is important to maintain connection with others and your community. If you are extremely lonely, be sure to reach out to a friend or family member.

Jill Haupts, Outreach Coordinator for The Kim Foundation

Jill Haupts is the Outreach Coordinator at The Kim Foundation. She received her bachelor’s degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University in 2016. Jill joined the Kim Foundation in January coming from Des Moines, Iowa. Her previous experience includes volunteer recruitment and fundraising, as well as experience coordinating services and providing resources to adults who have a mental health diagnosis. Jill’s role in the foundation is coordinating event logistics, presenting and attending community fairs, as well as volunteer coordination and recruitment. She enjoys working in the nonprofit field and has a passion for advocacy and helping others.