Social isolation is a common — and valid — concern as we head into what could be several weeks of limited access to our normal routine and in-person interaction with other people. Some may take social distancing in stride, but for most, it’s causing a high degree of anxiety and anticipated loneliness. To help you relieve some of this apprehension, here are some ways to prepare and manage in order to reduce the negative emotional impact for yourself and for others.

Organize Yourself and Your People

Get prepared. Taking action is a great tool for anxiety, and is essential if you’re working from home with family and children around. This time is fraught with unknowns and tension, but identifying actionable tasks can help empower you tremendously. It gives intention and focus to an open-ended situation and sets you up to deal with the tumult of the outbreak.

Here are a few ways that you can take action and gain a sense of agency.

• Set a schedule
  Keeping a daily rhythm helps manage the day productively. Even small items such as eating around the same time as usual, and dedicating time to play, work, and rest, can work wonders.

• Be social, virtually
  Create a virtual schedule with friends and colleagues. Real-time office banter, coffee, and dinner dates aren’t advised, but virtual ones can work just as well. Don’t leave yourself out of the loop — be intentional with your connections now. Scheduling a virtual meet-up at least once a day can make all the difference as you negotiate the long hours alone.

• Stay busy
  Kids home from school? Gather up the activities! Identify games and activities that they can choose from ahead of time and let them know how each day will work. Too much downtime is tough for children as well.

Social Isolation Is Not The Same As  Emotional Isolation

Think about the ways you stay connected now. We’ve gotten so used to being “on” all the time that we’ve taken it for granted. Reaching out to friends and family from afar is essential. Now is the time to bump up live video and facetime calls so we can be as present with our loved ones as possible while still staying safe.

Talk about your experience with others. Don’t shy away from sharing. This is something we’re all experiencing and we can benefit from the camaraderie in that. 

Connect internally. Dig into your self-care go-to’s. Meditate, read, relax, and cook. If you’re looking for professional care during this time of anxiety.