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Humanity has survived through waves of catastrophes in the shape of wars, natural calamities, and of course, pandemics. But all went pale in comparison to the ruin that was “bestowed” upon us by the legendary COVID-19. This shapeshifting pandemic, as we would like to put it, has evolved several times since its inception and has swallowed no less than 1.67 million lives worldwide. But the worst blow from it came in the name of global quarantine. Long story short, we all are obligated to maintain a safe distance from everyone and that includes our dear ones who reside far away from us.
The isolation is taking its toll on our psyche. There is no one to talk to or at least have a momentary interaction with. What makes it worse is the arrival of the holiday season. This is the time when we were supposed to enjoy some happy moments with our friends and family. However, maybe you still can. It might not be big and blooming, but it would still count as a celebration.
KEEP IN TOUCH
These are tough times indeed. The principle of social distancing won’t allow us to step out of our homes and just give a warm hug to our best friend in the neighboring city. But, there is one more than a singular way of getting close to our dear ones. This is the digital age and the time is ripe to reap its perks. Through calls, texting apps, and best of all - video calls, you can stay connected with everyone you care for. This can fade the feeling of being distanced. We know, meeting in person with your loved ones is just another heaven, but this isn’t feasible as of now.
Nevertheless, we do encourage staying in constant touch with your family and friends. It may not be as satisfying but it does help in dissolving some of that loneliness. Just try to goof around with your family over social media or just go into long calls with your friends. Staying in solitude brings the imminent risk of depression. While several doctors and medical experts do stress the adherence of social distancing, they at the same time encourage communication over digital mediums. These are the words of the experts, so you should consider trying on their advice.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOURSELF
We see millions of people have lost their bright lives due to COVID. But this adversity has destroyed far more lives in a rather indirect manner. As we have pointed out before, this pandemic wave has left us secluded. This state of seemingly perennial isolation has left many crippled with depression. Sadly, psychological bruising is steadily becoming a new normal. However, you should let this depression seep into your consciousness. As your well-wisher, we would like to suggest some easy ways that can help you fend off this tense atmosphere.
PRACTICE THE ART OF TOUCH AND CUDDLING
We are in a locked up state, who should we cuddle then? A weighted blanket, a soft toy, or even your pillow. Sounds a bit offbeat, doesn’t it? But in an isolated scenario like that of today, these unconventional habits will save the day. Researchers during the ongoing pandemic noted that the deprivation of touch has adversely affected the health of many people. While we can’t explicitly explain the reasons behind it, in a nutshell, it’s safe to assume that this has a direct relation with isolation. Giving yourself a nice massage is one of the remedies that are suggested. Now, you can see where that cuddling came from.
INVEST IN A SEX DOLL
If using a blanket or soft toy doesn’t do the trick then you can consider investing in a sex doll. We know for sure that owing a doll has been on your wish list for quite some time and this moment of self isolation may be the best time to finally give it a try. Thanks to the lifelike touch and structure of realistic sex dolls, you will have a lot more fun cuddling and spooning. Just remember, in lonely and depressive times like these, cuddling may just be the right cure.
FOOD AGAINST DEPRESSION
While it’s open to debate if food can completely demolish the state of depression, it most certainly can help alleviate its effects. Jon Clinthorne, a nutritional scientist explains that nutrients present in food such as vitamin D can play an instrumental role in lighting up the mood. In simple terms, if you are not a foodie, it’s the perfect time to join the club. Healthy eating habits and the ingestion of certain vitamins and minerals can help you fend off the wave of depression. So, just forget about the calories and dig in.
CHECK FOR MOOD SWINGS
It has been observed that people who are already fighting some form of psychological disorder are fighting a hard battle against COVID. The obligatory solitude that we are all abiding by is somewhat complementing the effects of mental disorders such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a form of depression. This introduces a new layer of a predicament that we have to face. Standard therapy for SAD is highly recommended by experts and medical professionals. However, the panacea in this scene is a happy and positive outlook. We know the time may not be apt for preaching but holding on to a positive attitude can make things easy for us.
HAPPINESS IN THE LITTLE THINGS
Is happiness only exclusive to the grand achievements in life? Can’t we celebrate those little things in life that we often ignore? Believe it or not, this pandemic has given us time to attend to such questions. The fact is that you don’t have to walk that far in search of a smile. Just acknowledge all the things that you are or should be grateful for. Speaking of gratitude, you can even volunteer to help folks who are facing the direct heat of this pandemic. Just spread the feeling and see the magic. By making small contributions and celebrating those little moments in life, you can nurture some cherishable moments in your life.
As we have already mentioned, you don’t have to take the extravagant road to express your contribution in these tough times. Volunteering in small charity programs will be more than a fair contribution. This is the extension of enjoying those tiny moments. Positivity is only as much as you spread it.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
In all honesty, this isolation has gifted us that one thing that we always crave - time. Thanks to our busy schedules, we always had to knock back our enthusiasm to try something new or devote some moments to our hobbies. But what’s stopping us now? We have all the time in the world and we say that in a very literal sense. Why not employ this quarantine towards something that suits us? It is a fair argument that you can’t leave your house or move around that freely. So, wanderlust might have to be omitted from this discussion. But there is a lot that you can try out at home. There are various digital channels that host learning programs and guides. You could give them a shot.
You can rekindle some of your old talents that you almost abandoned. There are many who tried to learn something new during their time at home. You may as well follow the suite. If the situation so allows, you could adopt a pet. This will serve you the opportunity to gain some companionship. The time is right for you to utilize your reserves of creativity. We all have an artistic persona imprinted on our subconscious and this is precisely the right time to tap into your creative self.
Hope these tips will help you beat loneliness and depressive thoughts without leaving the comfort of your home.
Let us know in comments what lifestyle hacks you adopted to curb loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown and this holiday season