Being quarantined or self-isolated does not mean you have to be lonely. There is a difference.
Loneliness is considered a public health risk, but in this time of self-isolation it is important to distinguish loneliness from isolation, said Dr. J. Kale Monk.
Monk is an assistant professor for the Department of Human Development and Family Science and a state specialist for Human Environmental Sciences Extension at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
She, along with John Fuller, the human development and family sciences specialist with the Butler County Extension Office, offer a variety of ways to not only mentally survive self-isolating, but come out more mentally alert after quarantine.
“So, someone can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely,” Monk said. “Being quarantined or self-isolated does not mean you have to be lonely.”
Monk advocates “we call it physical distancing versus ‘social distancing’ because the CDC recommends we stay at a safe distance to limit the spread of the virus, but that does not mean we have to cease all forms of social contact, even though many of us will grow to miss physical touch if we are in solitary confinement for a long period of time, and that is a valid concern.”
In offering ways on how not to feel loneliness in this time of self-isolation, Monk said, “I have heard of people sending cards, care packages, or baked goods or order take-out delivered to someone’s house, so they can enjoy these things together when they open these gifts up over video calls. But, it is important to make sure these items are properly sanitized of course.”
Her own neighborhood set up a scavenger hunt. Others might go geocaching.
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the hidden geocache container. They sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
If you live near a friend, you could set up a scavenger hunt with quick response codes and a treasure map, for example, so you don’t have to worry about sanitizing or losing items in a neighborhood. Then, your friend could go on a treasure hunt, and you can flip roles the next day.
Monk suggests you also can take a virtual dance class or watch a YouTube dance tutorial on your computer while you FaceTime on your phone. Things like this can be used to look forward to the future – you practice the dance virtually and then when physical distancing recommendations are lifted, you debut your duet performance.
A workout class can be done the same way, she said. Exercising with a partner can enhance excitement through the release of endorphins.
Monk mentioned extension offers classes and resources for people looking to learn new skills like gardening, cooking or to brush up on their parenting and relationship skills.
Fuller added while “a lot of things are being offered virtually, but with extension, it is something that is provided locally. We do provide in-person classes honoring CDC guidelines, such as face coverings and physical distancing. Through this pandemic, we have pivoted our delivery process to reach all those in our community.
“We understand that everyone is comfortable in different settings,” Fuller said.
He recalled, “I struggled when I was working from home because I started out in sprint mode, but as time went on it was not sustainable. This is going to be a marathon and not a short-term solution. I found getting outside at times was refreshing. It helped me to clear my thoughts and establish a pace that I could sustain.
“Resilience became the word that came out during this time. We live in a community where resiliency is nothing new to us. At some point, my isolation helped me to stop and enjoy what I did have around me. I couldn’t change my environment, but I could really allow life to slow down and look around. Dinner took on a new meaning as we could prepare better meals and sit down together and not be in a rush.”
Fuller said, “I know that not everyone is living with others and may be alone. We are social creatures. We enjoy those interactions.
“We need those personal relationships. We do have the technology in today’s world to talk to people by phone, text or some type of video format.
“People may not have access to some of those technologies,” he said. “This is a great time to pick up that hobby that you wanted to learn. Engaging the executive function of our brains and less of the emotional part.
“We know from research that learning new things is really good for our brain health. Being physically active releases those chemicals that brighten our spirit. What a better way to get a chance to engage with other people in a safe environment, challenging your mental capacity, learning to assess your own priorities on what really is important and what is not.”
Anyone who would like more information on extension classes in self care may reach Fuller at the extension office or email him at fullerjc@missouri.edu.