Do you have concerns about coping with loneliness during quarantine? Your area might be part of a lockdown, or you might be self-isolating to prevent the spread. Either way, it is not uncommon for loneliness to creep into lives. You might have to stay at home because you are in the high-risk category. No matter the reason, learning how to deal with the inevitable loneliness can be challenging for many. In this guide, we are outlining coping strategies to help relieve or eliminate feelings of loneliness.
Why Coping with Loneliness During Quarantine is Critical for Those in Recovery
Are you currently in recovery and have concerns about coping with loneliness during quarantine? If so, you are not alone. Many people across the country have similar worries because, if loneliness is not kept at bay, that could lead to a depressive disorder. Developing coping strategies to help stave off loneliness is one of the best ways of preventing depression or the risk of relapsing.
Tips for Loneliness Coping Strategies
Coping with loneliness during quarantine means reaching inwardly and identifying what it is about yourself that you want to learn more about or engage in more fully. Here are some tips for loneliness coping strategies you can try:
- Become a “helper”: Become part of efforts toward building a network within your community that assists those who are in need. Maybe they live alone and have no family, so you can call or video chat with them several times weekly. If you know someone who is high-risk and you are not, consider running errands or shopping for them
- Maintain a schedule: Even though loneliness might feel like it is always going to be part of your life, stave off those feelings by maintaining a daily schedule. That way, each of your days feels as normal as you can make them
- Set up a way to stay active: Focusing on your mental health and loneliness might be taking priority over staying active. If you let your physical state deteriorate, that could have negative consequences on you mentally. Consider trying yoga, meditation, going for walks daily
- Learn a new hobby or skill: Get involved with a group of other like-minded individuals by taking an online class or researching your ancestry. The idea is to work on something daily that helps maintain your sense of self-worth and your sense of self
The Importance of Maintaining Social Connections
During any stage of your recovery, maintaining social connections is critical. That could mean participating in an online virtual support meeting or staying in contact with your sponsor, or both. Maintaining these connections is not only critical for your sobriety but also making sure loneliness does not take over your life. Here are some ways to maintain those connections:
- Write and send handwritten letters to friends, relatives, and others who might also be lonely in your community
- Use text messages or instant messaging to connect with those with whom you would see every day if there was not a quarantine
- Take advantage of video chat platforms like Facetime or Zoom to have virtual face-to-face conversations
- When you are especially lonely, pick up the phone and call your sponsor, a friend, or a family member
- Use a service, like QuarantineChat, to connect with others who are under quarantine and battling loneliness
- Participate in live events, like Quarantine Karaoke, for example, or by hosting a Netflix watch party
Promises Treatment Centers Is Here to Help
Do you have worries about coping with loneliness during quarantine? Are you worried that this loneliness could lead to depression or relapsing? No one should have to experience these worries without having someone by their side. We offer programs such as:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Family Therapy Program
- Group Therapy Program
Contact 1.713.528.3709 to learn more about how to battle loneliness during quarantine and how we can help.
