Faced with confinement, we are not all in the same boat. If some welcome the situation without too much difficulty (even with joy), others feel alone and depressed. How to keep morale in this period of imposed isolation? Amélia Lobbé, psychologist, gives us her advice.
Containment is an ordeal for everyone. If some have chosen to join their loved ones, others find themselves alone and facing themselves, without escape. And faced with this solitude, or rather this imposed isolation, we are not all equal. There are those who take advantage of this time for themselves and to do a lot of activities and those who tend to get depressed and lonely.
So, how can you better live this tête-à-tête with yourself and this stressful period?
Establish a routine
Confinement is a period difficult enough to live for, in addition, to be added, injunctions, a milimeter schedule and a to-do list extendable. However, when you are alone at home for an indefinite period, setting a certain pace can help. "This is the best way to keep time marks and a little normalcy" advises Amélia Lobbé, psychologist and author of My bible to relieve anxiety (Leduc.s editions). "It makes the day go by more quickly, without being engulfed in deep boredom, the anxiety of loneliness and the anxiety of emptiness (this is what I usually recommend to freelancers who work at home)".
She advises to establish a daily routine, with work schedules for meals, recreation, activities, sports, and weekends.
Take care of yourself
Amélia Lobbé highlights the importance of taking care of yourself and your body. Whether it's pampering your skin, putting on a comfortable and pretty outfit or practicing physical activity. "Body and mind are completely linked" explains the psychologist. "We need to be aware of our body envelope, to pay attention and importance, and to do ourselves good" she adds.
It's no secret: sporting activity has many mental benefits. "I decided to continue to maintain a sustained sports routine, physical activity has helped me clear my head after a day of work for years so there is no question that it will change" says Cécile, 29 years old and addicted to yoga. "Many coaches give lessons live on Instagram or via Zoom, enough to put together a small workout schedule for the week. Each evening I close my computer, I push the furniture into my 29m2 and I let off steam with a class of Pilates, yoga or HIIT. And then what? Shampoo, Netflix, herbal tea, and in bed! " she continues.
If the outings must be limited to the maximum, taking the air or the sun for a few minutes at the window, in his yard or his street, respecting the barrier gestures can help keep morale precise Amélia Lobbé.
Keep a social bond
If some people appreciate loneliness and and feel good about themselves, those who were used to eating exchanges to be happy may experience this imposed isolation worse. Maintaining daily contact with loved ones is therefore essential. Thanks to technology, there is no shortage of applications to keep a social connection. By sms, phone, WhatsApp or other, this allows "fill up on social exchanges, motivation, attention and human warmth. We need it" says Amélia Lobbé.
"For over a month the fear of ending up living alone with my cat has become very real!" joking Cecile. The young woman therefore implemented a few rituals so as not to suffer from loneliness: "Vocal notes every morning with my girlfriends, sweet little words on the family WhatsApp, a cuckoo by the window to my neighbor in the evening at 8 pm, and untimely sending of funny memes with my neighbor."
During these exchanges, do not hesitate to verbalize your emotions. "If I have a blues I call or send a message to a friend rather than scrolling on social networks, which are rather anxiety-provoking at the moment" admits Cecile. Express and exteriorize your anxieties and fears, say that the situation is difficult to live with. This can be by talking to a loved one or by consulting a teleconsultation specialist. "Mental health is as important as physical health and you shouldn't be ashamed of it, on the contrary" reminds the psychologist.
Don't put yourself under pressure
As the Covid-19 turns our lives upside down, containment reveals the hyper-productivity that we have grown accustomed to and our inability (or guilt) to stay idle. "While I thought I would take advantage of this confinement to take a 'real break', I started to have a drop in morale and feel guilty for not doing sports, sort my clothes by color and test recipes by going to the social networks " admits Margot, 27. "The more I went on Instagram, the more I felt bad staying in my couch catching up on my streak and doing nothing. However, I like to be alone and it feels good to be able to breathe and finally think a little about myself. " explains this Parisian to the usually busy schedule.
It's easy to feel guilty for doing nothing, when you see photos and videos of people who are active every day, even in 20 m², swarming on social networks. However, putting pressure on oneself only adds stress to the anxiety that the current situation is already causing. "This confinement is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to stick to the duration. So putting unnecessary pressure and exhausting yourself in activities is not wise" warns the psychologist. "Avoid constantly comparing ourselves to people on social networks. No one knows what others are really going through" she adds.
Show solidarity
In these times of confinement, we cannot kiss but we can always stick together. Preparing meals for the homeless, writing to isolated elderly people, shopping for their neighbors … Since the beginning of confinement, solidarity initiatives to help people most in difficulty have multiplied. The young company Granny & Charly, offers to call the elderly. 1 Letter 1 Smile offers the possibility of writing a word for residents of Ephad. The Voisins solidaires website allows you to organize joint shopping tours in your building or residence. A good way to maintain ties and to feel useful in this fight against the pandemic.