Keeping busy and sane is essential for your mental health during the COVID19 self-isolation period. All the extra stress and anxiety is overwhelming. The unknown can bring out feelings and emotions we are not accustomed to. It is important to have a quarantine mental escape plan to keep you busy and sane.

The key to getting through this extremely hard time is to stay busy mentally and physically. Idle minds will find ways to take you to dark thoughts and feelings. Now more than ever we need to do all we can to keep our mental health in check.

I suffer from mental health issues and understand the struggle one goes through being self-isolated. I have found that keeping busy helps ease my symptoms and relieves my stress. Please read my other article: What Depression Feels Like.

Here are some ideas for you and your family to keep busy and sane.

Paint by Number

This is a project that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. This is one that I have been doing on a daily basis. It helps keeping your mind engaged and as the piece progresses it gives you a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. You can find some fun ones online. I bough mine off Amazon and had them delivered directly to my door. They come with everything you need to create your masterpiece like paint brushes, primed canvas with numbers, paint, and instructions.

5D Diamond Painting

This craft is also great for keeping your mind busy. If painting is not your thing you should definitely give this a try. This one you can also order online. It is a color-coded canvas that you stick small plastic jewels according to their symbol. Once it is finished you are left with a picture that looks 5D.

Plastic Models

Another fun project that will keep you busy is model building. It incorporates painting and building which stimulates your creativity. There are 3 different difficulty levels. You should choose according to your experience. Keep in mind the harder levels will require you have tools to finish the project like paint and glue. Make sure to read the description before you order to know what you will need.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles are a great activity for the whole family. It is perfect to do with multiple people. Solving puzzles helps reinforce connections between brain cells. This helps improve mental speed and your thought process. Keep working on those puzzles to keep your mind sharp.

Journaling/Writing

Journaling is one of the best tools out there to help with your mental health. Research shows that journaling can help with anxiety, reduce stress, and cope with depression. By writing and putting your feelings on paper it can help you identify what is bothering you and help solve your problems. It is also great for tracking your overall mental health and daily feelings says Rochester Medical Center.

Exercise

Exercise is a wonderful way for you to expel some pent up energy. It helps with anxiety and depression. There are some video’s on YouTube that can help assist you in your at home exercise plan. There are plenty for all activity levels. You should also try taking a walk outside every day to get some fresh air. Just make sure you are social distancing and staying at least 6 feet from other people.

Gardening

Spring is finally here, now is the perfect time to start a garden. If you live in an area that is still too chilly starting some seedlings inside is a great way to get your garden going. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood with a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. For more information on the benefits of green space check out: The Power of Nature.

Learn Something New/ Take A Free Class Online

With extra time on your hands now is the perfect time to learn something new. You can learn something new by downloading a new book or dust off that one you have been intending to read for the past 3 years. There are also free online classes offered by some of the best colleges in the US. Check out the list at Business Insider.

Cook, Bake and Try A New Recipe

Now is the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen. Try that recipe that seems intimidating. Baking is another great way to relieve stress and in the end you have a tasty treat. It is perfect to do alone or with your family. Check out some videos online and follow along.

I hope these ideas help start your creative journey towards an easier and more fulfilling time spent indoors. The fear of the unknown can be eased by keeping your mind and body busy. Finding a mental escape during this time of self-isolation is extremely important.

It is okay to know that different feelings during this time are normal. If you still feel your mental health is not improving after trying to keep your mind and body busy, make sure you contact your doctor or psychiatrist right away. That is what they are there for.

Just remember my new friends, we are in this together. We will make it through these difficult times. Just keep your head up.