Isolation: How Do We Handle it?

Hi All: I just received an email that lists some websites and apps for exercise programs available online and just wanted to share them with you:
The first one is from the YMCA and has various exercise classes that you can participate in at home. Here is the link, https://ymca360.org/

The second one is from the New York Post with a list of apps. Here is the link for that, https://nypost.com/2020/03/13/the-7-best-at-home-fitness-apps-to-use-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

What sort of exercise are you doing during this time of isolation?

For me, it hasn't been much of a problem, as I am a lifelong introvert. My dog and I still go for walks 3x a day. I live in senior housing across the street from a city park, and all us dog walkers can easily keep our distance.

Every day, my spirit is in low-normal mood, with help from the medications. This bldg is now closed to visitors. When I feel too isolated, I send a cheerful email to my large family and most of them respond in kind.

How are you coping?

Hi @lewisma9 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and the Depression & Anxiety group. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Isolation: How Do We Handle it?" I did this so you can meet others, like @hopeful33250 @woogie @lioness @zeiracorp @coloradogirl @mayofeb2020 and others talking about the ways they are weathering the new isolation reality.

In the COVID-19 group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/), there are several discussions about coping that you may be interested in, especially as a walker and dog owner:
– Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/

– My plans to lessen the stress of Self imposed quarantine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-plans-to-lessen-the-stress-of-self-imposed-quarantine/

I, too, am an introvert by nature. Give me a cup a tea and good book and I'm happy as a clam. Besides getting out for walks with your dog, what activities do you enjoy?

By ignoring the clock but still structuring my time, going outdoors daily to my backyard and ‘talking’ to my plants, finding worthwhile movies to stream (with chronic back pain I have to sit often), planning set-aside projects to start, and reading.

Hello @lewisma9, I would like to add my welcome to that of Colleen's! I'm glad that you posted on Mayo Connect, we are happy to have you join us. I'm also an introvert in disguise and I can be perfectly happy for some time with a book and a cup of tea and talking to my cat. Pets are a great company, aren't they?

I really like your idea of sending a cheery email to your friends and family. What a great idea. What else have you found to do with your time of solace?

This is an excellent essay that describes what we are facing now with needing to be isolated and our feelings of wanting community interaction. We really do need each other now more than ever. https://medium.com/@shannonstoby/that-time-we-realized-we-needed-each-other-c6be092498a2

@shortshot80 I also live in Oregon and drive Interstate 5 up to Eugene to the cancer center. Beautiful trees and mountains on that hundred plus mile drive each way. There has only been one time in the last year that I didn't have rain at some point on that trip! Oregon is just such a pretty state no matter where you're at.
P.S. Happy birthday!
Ginger

Hi @jenniferhunter,

Thanks for sharing that post. I especially like the phrase about being "selectively social" that describes me (and probably many others).

I think being alone and isolated can be considered two different things. Like others here, I am an introvert by my base nature. But there are still sometimes when I want to have some interaction with people. I rebel against those who say I have to be isolated. Of course, I just don't do well with rules anyways LOL. Being able to go for a walk and wave at neighbor helps, as does watching people in a distance, or even hearing people doing their yard work. That serves to not feel so isolated.

In this time of mandated isolation or less frequent contact with others, I'm fine with grabbing art supplies or books to keep myself busy. So far I have not Resort it to taking on long overdue projects like sorting through old papers or finding things that need to be recycled. To me those will always be there!
Ginger

@colleenyoung Have you heard about the Malaria drug being used for covid-19 ? I read it somewhere that Bayer is sending out alot to Labs to see if it will be the answer to this virus Does Mayo know anything about this?