Managing Pandemic Loneliness
By: Yve Laran
Tags: Self Improvement, Self Love, Wellbeing, Wellness, Writing

Thriving during uncertain times

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

I went for a walk earlier today and have been wondering how much longer it will be possible to do so. The winter cold will arrive soon, making it necessary to remain indoors.

I stayed in Arizona during the summer, where temperatures reached 110 degrees and more during the day. There was no walking outside. I had the air conditioner blasting for hours indoors, whether working or sleeping.

Every person is different; every situation is different. I will share with you a few ways I am getting through the isolation and loneliness of coping with Covid-19. I expect to do so again during freezing temperatures — yet feel optimistic about the ability to do so.

Maintain a Normal Schedule

It’s easy to fall into a routine of sleeping late and going to sleep later, if work hours and routines are flexible.

Waking up early promotes the flow and rhythm of the day. If you’re awake and busy during the times when you used to commute to the office, it’s easier to fall asleep at a time when you’ll be able to enjoy eight hours of sleep a night.

It’s also important to get up, take a shower, and get dressed. I’ll admit, working from home affords the possibility of staying in pajamas all day. Taking care of personal hygiene and grooming maintains a sense of normalcy. It provides the potential of heading somewhere, even if that means heading into the next room to begin working on your laptop.

Start a Writing Project

During the beginning of the pandemic, I stayed at a hotel for two weeks. One thing that helped at the time was watching videocasts hosted by a writer who invited his audience to listen to a reading. The writer permitted viewers to comment and to share comments with each other.

Watching the videocasts during the grim time kept my spirits up and gave me something to look forward to.

A few months later, at one of my lowest points, I decided it was time to begin writing.

I signed up for Wordpress.com and began to design a website to launch a blog. Designing the site took a few weekends of experimentation and prevented me from feeling sad about not being able to go outside for long walks.

Cook Healthy Food

My favorite times are the early part of the day, when it’s possible to shop while the store is empty.

I look up a few recipes that contain healthy foods, and head out to shop with a list of ingredients. Since many recipes are created with four people in mind, I cook the recipes as written, saving the rest to eat during the week, or sharing some by delivery to a neighbor.

Watch Some Happiness

I don’t advise spending hours in front of the television, but there are moments when distraction from the cable news cycle is helpful.

The holidays are arriving soon, and I like to watch Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. Gents will prefer watching their shows, too, such as the car show “Top Gear.”

For either audience, any program that is a pleasant and enjoyable distraction during a tough moment is worth a few minutes.

When I was working at the office, my co-workers and I poked fun at the romantic formula applied to the scripts of Hallmark movies, although we loved them. There is always a clueless boyfriend or fiancé, the hero who clashes with the heroine, and a misunderstanding leading to the happily-ever-after conclusion.

Even if the movies remain predictable, there is comfort in watching normal and hopeful moments.

Focus on Home Improvement

There is always something to be cleaned, maintained and repaired. Laundry and dishes need to be done, and there are other items to be considered.

Now is the perfect time to check on emergency items and supplies.

I’ve been checking on my stock of extra batteries, candles and matches. I’ve also checked on health supplies, purchasing a first aid kit and enough aspirin and allergy medicine, so I won’t need to shop for those items over the next few months. I don’t believe in unnecessary purchases of home goods, but thinking 10 to 12 weeks ahead is reasonable now that we’re heading into the winter season.

Remain Connected Through Zoom

I’ve stayed in contact and caught up with friends through weekly Zoom calls, and three of us formed a workout group to exercise together on Saturday mornings. Even if we haven’t been able to get to the gym, we’re able to get moving and to talk together when the workout is finished. Sometimes we’ve carried our laptops around our homes, to show each other what we’re doing and what we’re working on. It’s a welcome time of laughter.

Final Thoughts

I’ve shared a few ways to manage loneliness during the pandemic, which may be turned into moments to use the time wisely and well. One bonus is extra time to spend on hobbies and home improvement.

Being indoors is an opportunity for self-improvement.