Embedded Files
by Sofia Cuello
Art by Sam Harman.
I would not be the first to admit that this quarantine is getting hard. From not seeing friends to just getting sick of your family, after over a month of having to endure being stuck at home, we are probably all sick of it. With the lack of contact with others, it is probably starting to get lonely, if it has not already. Looking at other people through a phone screen, although you might still be communicating with people, is just not the same as actually being with someone in person. With all that, it is no surprise that there have been more and more reports of young people feeling sad while they are stuck at home.
This is not just caused by missing contact with friends, but also because everyone is forced to endure whatever is stressing them out without any distractions, from family tension to just feeling overwhelmed with homework. Even though we cannot be together, we should not let any of that get to our heads. Yeah, this situation is not the best, but we will all be stronger by the end of it. But we should also look for ways to cope with the emotions we are feeling while in quarantine, and search for healthy stress-relieving mechanisms. So, here are a few ways to keep positive during the most crazy time we have experienced in our lifetime!
1) Take a break from the phone! The internet is full of stories about what is going on, and it can get overwhelming. Try to detox and look away from your phone for a while. Be it taking a social-distanced walk or just doing another activity that does not require a phone, as long as you are not looking at a screen, you are doing great!
2) Exercise! This one can also be a part of tip number one, as a form of taking a break from your phone. But exercise is most importantly a form of self care. Taking care of your body can even be a fun activity, so look into exercise or other forms of physical activity which you will actually enjoy doing!
3) Follow a schedule! This one is probably the hardest to follow, as with not having to physically go to school, sleeping in until noon is tempting. However, if you get into a schedule of waking up and going to sleep early (not staying up until 3am watching TikToks or scrolling mindlessly through Instagram…), your days will feel more productive! If you wake up early, you can finish your school work early, which will leave the rest of your day free to do what you enjoy, instead of stressing about all the homework you have gotten. Following a schedule also includes forming other good habits, like eating three meals at regular times, and just not procrastinating overall.
4) Seek help when needed. If you really feel like you are struggling in quarantine, don’t feel hesitant to look for real help. If stress, anxiety and depression become too much to handle, please reach out to someone with what you are feeling. If you cannot turn to your parents, please consider looking into some of the following numbers:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 800 273 8255
The Samaritans Helpline: 877 870 4673
Trevor Project Lifeline: 866-488-7386
These reminders may sound simple, but sometimes we just need a little reminder to help us out. Take this advice, or don't. Whatever you do, I hope you are staying happy and doing alright!
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