5 Ways to Cope With Loneliness With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the<br />country, many Americans are under strict instruction to<br />stay at home and practice social distancing from others. Here are five ways you can<br />cope with loneliness while still<br />safely staying at home. 1. Try to make your day feel as normal as<br />possible by keeping to a regular schedule. Start each day with a plan and then keep<br />track of when you do those things. 2. A 2020 Chinese study found that people<br />who kept up to date on health information<br />functioned better psychologically. Remember that too much could be bad for<br />your mental health. Find what works for you and<br />remember to stick to factual, reliable sites. 3. It’s important to stay active as much as<br />possible during your time alone, as your physical<br />health is intertwined with your mental health. Try at-home exercises like yoga and low<br />impact workouts. You could even go for a walk<br />around your neighborhood if it is safe to. 4. Just because you should physically keep a distance<br />from people doesn’t mean you still can’t find other<br />ways to connect with your friends and family. Talking on the phone, video chatting, using social<br />media or even sending a handwritten letter are great<br />ways of maintaining your social connections. 5. Express yourself by creating something,<br />whether it be painting, writing or a<br />home project you’ve been wanting to do. Taking time to channel your<br />feelings into something creative can<br />be a therapeutic experience.
