From ‘safety in numbers’ to ‘stay safe at home’, the Coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside down and with it, our mental wellbeing has been affected as well.
People across the globe, especially among older adults, are feeling anxious and afraid because there seems to be a big removal of control in their day to day lives. This anxiety may also be felt strongly by individuals who live on their own.
NDIS support coordination programmes seek to help participants live more independently. But during these extraordinary times, we at OnTrack Tasmania are also here for those who need any extra support in coping with this new reality we are all facing.
If you live alone and feel anxious about the Coronavirus pandemic, read the following tips to help you improve your self-isolation and confront this new norm with confidence.
1. Set Up Video Conferencing
The reality of being separated from friends and family can hurt your physical and mental state.
If you need to observe social distancing, especially if you have older relatives, you can set up video conferencing every now and then to check in on them. You can also stay connected with your friends through messaging apps and organise a little video get-together to feel less lonely. Organising themed group video calls such as quiz nights or bingo can help create a fun event to keep connected with loved ones.
2. Learn a New Hobby
Allow this time of self-isolation to be an opportunity to learn something new, especially if you have more time on your hands. You can try bodyweight exercise workouts, learn how to bake your favourite treats, learn to speak a new language or even practice new skills to get some extra income.
Learning a new hobby can open opportunities to channel any extra energy or anxiety you may have and provide a way to lessen your worrying about the goings-on outside your home.
3. Stick to a Routine
One of the hardest things to do is to keep a routine, especially if you’ve been furloughed or laid off entirely or if you’ve been having a hard time adjusting to working at home.
It’s important to strive to structure your new routine to optimise your time and wellbeing. Here are some suggestions:
- Do your best to do your wake up routine – take a shower and brush your teeth, at around the same time each day.
- Limit yourself to a specific hour or thirty minutes each day where you are allowed to watch or read the news or scroll social media. This will help to avoid getting stressed and overwhelmed.
- Where possible, try cooking your own meals to maintain occupied.
- We do understand that, sometimes, maintaining a routine can be extremely difficult. Remember to give yourself a break and not be too demanding of yourself or others during this time. The most important thing is to focus on activities and routines that will look after your body and mind as well as look after your loved ones. This is truly a trying time for anyone and some of us may need more time and assistance to do basic chores, keep a routine and just to stay on top of things.
Through OnTrack Tasmania’s NDIS Support Coordination in Hobart, we provide participants with time-limited assistance especially for individuals with complex needs, especially during this trying time. If you are an NDIS participant who needs better funding and additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us regarding our NDIS support services.