Isolated but not lonely

Every day there are more and more limitations being put on our activities. Rightly so in my opinion. A little too late, but that is a different blog. This one is about what to do if you are shut in or self quarantined.
We have to work with this new reality but isolation does not necessarily mean loneliness. In this situation it is important to be mindful of your mental health while avoiding the virus. We don't have a lot of choices at this point so let's make the best of it.
Gratitude is a great cure for despair, so let's look at what we can be grateful for. First, consider the alternative: we are alive. Not only that, it could be you on a ventilator or sleeping on the floor of an emergency room. That alone is reason for thankfulness as well as compassion for the sick.
Spring has sprung, throw open the windows and get the fresh air inside. Take deep breaths, we all need them. Do some form of exercise: Go for a walk daily, if possible in a natural setting so you can receive some 'ecotherapy'. Not into walking? get a You Tube yoga video on your computer and do at least 10 to 20 minutes daily.
Look in the mirror and feel good about how you are helping the community. You are not making anyone else sick. Doing the right thing is not always easy but knowing you are doing it should make you feel proud. Your good neighborliness will pay off eventually and we will all get through this that much sooner.
Maintain your social media connections but don't binge too much on screen time.
And last but not least, think about people for whom what you are experiencing is a normal way of life, like the disabled. Walk in their shoes for a minute and then be grateful because for you there is an end date and so many more options. Stay well both mentally and physically. Yours truly

Dr. Tuakli