Try These 3 Quick Fixes for Self-Isolation Tension at Home
With the shutdown (or re-shutdown, in many cases) lasting longer than expected, plenty of households are experiencing tension. If your usual outlets aren’t available, it’s time to get creative, release stress, and help repair your relationships. Here are three quick fixes that can help you de-stress while staying in isolation as long as necessary.
Head Outdoors and Get Moving
Heading outside is an excellent way to relieve stress every day. Exercise is another element that helps to ease anxious feelings, especially when you’re cooped up indoors. But going for walks can become boring after a while, and it may be tough to socially distance when you’re walking in the city. One way to get outdoors while social distancing is by biking.
Getting outside of the city and onto mountain biking trails is even better for steering clear of others. Of course, you might need to invest in a bike that can handle the literal ups and downs of the great outdoors. At the same time, implementing safety precautions is also a necessity, whether you’re biking alone or with members of your household.
Working on the garden or lawn is another great way to get moving while staying in your own space. Especially if you pay attention to your posture, says Well and Good, mowing the lawn or leaf blowing can count as exercise. You may even build muscle while burning extra calories—all while making your yard look better.
Take Your Tech Seriously
Society’s interconnectedness has been helpful during the shutdown, especially in terms of sourcing entertainment. And the truth is that relaxing by watching a show (especially reruns of your favorites) or playing music is a viable way to maintain your sanity.
If you have a partner who loves to game, tension may arise surrounding the custody of your household’s TV. After all, people tend to be possessive about their technology. It might be time to invest in a separate gaming monitor, which leaves the TV wide open for your binge-watching plans. Be sure to do your research ahead of time. Knowing what specs to look for and which gaming monitors will suit your needs can help you narrow down the options. Then, it’s smooth sailing for both you and your gaming partner.
Another helpful piece of tech for quarantine is a TV streaming device. If you don’t have a smart TV, navigating Netflix and other streaming video services is relegated to your phone or laptop. Take advantage of the big screen by grabbing a TV streaming device.
With such a device, you can take your TV shows anywhere in the house. CNET recommends streaming devices ranging from the lower-end Roku Express to the high-end Apple TV 4K, so you can find something that fits your budget.
Reflect Inward to Relax
Spending time outdoors and dialing in your electronics can offer a bit of relief from household tension. But another way to help relax is by looking inward.
Meditation alone can help improve your relationship, notes Psychology Today, because it helps you enter a less judgmental headspace. When you feel better, you can articulate your thoughts and frustrations much more easily. With some perspective, you can also avoid hurling insults at your partner or family and instead approach discussions calmly.
You can try meditation in the comfort of your home, or head outside to enjoy a little fresh air while you reflect. If meditating isn’t up your alley, reading self-help books is another option. Reading personal improvement books such as Insightful Inspirations offers both clarity and motivation when it comes to working on your authentic self.
Either way, mindfulness is the key: learning to understand and sift through your thoughts before speaking is a helpful technique when communicating with loved ones.
Whatever strategy you employ to help reduce friction while self-isolating is better than bickering with the other members of your household. Each person can find the de-stressing technique that works well for them. Then, you’ll all feel more positive about outlasting the quarantine — however long it ends up lasting.
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