Dear Kari,
I am COVID-19-ed out! I am so tired of remaining at home by myself. I tried the sing-alongs, the dance-a-thons, the happy hours, and the book clubs, but I need people! At this point, I have lost my will to shower and change my clothes, since I never go anywhere. I even feel like depression is setting in. What do you
recommend?
– Escape From My Home
Dear Escape From My Home,
All your feelings are normal. The worldwide pandemic has thrown all of us for a loop, and we have lost our footing. We have spent our lives leaving our homes and interacting with others, and it is odd to now do otherwise. I’d like you to go back to a regular schedule, to the best of your ability.
Wake up at your normal time, eat breakfast, and follow that with showering and grooming yourself for the day. Add in work, lunch, some movement, followed by dinner and going to bed at your normal bedtime. If it’s the weekend, add in some time for a hobby – something that is of interest only to you – to redirect your mind and offer you some joy. Keeping a regular schedule when we do not necessarily have a regular schedule helps us have predictability, which helps us feel stable and safe.
If at first you see no improvement, keep trying for at least two weeks. If you are still struggling, I
recommend you reach out to your primary care physician for further recommendations.
– Kari
As published in the July 2020 issue of Connections.
About Kari:
Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a resident of Issaquah Highlands.
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