Living in isolation: 6 tips for maintaining good coexistence during quarantine

According to the Ministry of Health, Coronavirus is a large family of viruses, with several species that cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe and can lead to death.

These viruses were more common in animals, but in 2002, they underwent their first mutation that caused a death in a human being: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS-CoV.

But after all, is this the same virus we are currently facing?

In fact, the outbreak we are facing was caused by a new agent in this family, 2019-nCov. Initially identified in Wuhan, China, its spread was extremely high throughout this year throughout the world, causing its main disease: Covid-19, called SARS-CoV-2.

This occurred mainly due to its forms of transmission, which can occur from a sick person to another through close contact, or in the following situations:

● Touching or shaking contaminated hands;

● Saliva droplets;

● Sneezing;

● Cough;

● Contaminated objects or surfaces, such as cell phones, tables, cutlery, toys, etc.

What are the symptoms?

According to the Ministry of Health, the main symptoms of Covid-19 are: cough; fever; runny nose; sore throat; difficulty breathing; loss of smell; change in taste; tiredness; decreased appetite; shortness of breath and nausea.

The big problem when looking at this list of symptoms is that they can very easily be confused with other health problems, such as a cold with Flu Syndrome.

Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 80% of infected people may be asymptomatic.

Therefore, the recommendation of official bodies is to always seek medical evaluation if any of these symptoms are present. During the consultation, the infectious agent will be detected and the appropriate treatment will be given.

It is an extremely dangerous disease, which has led to social isolation being adopted worldwide as a preventive measure against the disease, until a vaccine is developed.

During these months, living together at home has become one of the main difficulties faced by many people, forced to spend the entire day with their families, their habits and differences.

We will understand more about this below.

What are the main challenges of living in isolation?

Since the country entered social isolation in March 2020, closer contact with our families has meant that problems that were previously ignored or easily resolved have become more serious, generating stress, arguments and disagreements.

Whether it's because of small "habits" like leaving the light on when no one is in the room, dishes piling up in the sink, or belongings scattered around the house, the main challenges of living in isolation are finding the best way to face and deal with these differences, which before could even go unnoticed.

After all, the main consequences of these changes affected people's health, leaving them overwhelmed and vulnerable to exacerbated reactions that range from nervousness, impatience and intolerance, for example.

"Maintaining balance in situations of great emotional stress depends on the psychological resources that each person has and the creation of a harmonious and caring environment at home," said psychoanalyst Isabel Cristina Gomes, in an interview with UOL .

In the same interview, the specialist says that it is natural for there to be this feeling of anxiety in homes during this period of isolation, as we experience the disappearance of many “certainties” that were part of our lives.

As it is a moment that "awakens strong and primitive anxieties within us", the psychoanalyst says that the first step to improving coexistence in this isolation and reducing disagreements is to accept the differences of others.

In theory, it may be simple, but for many it can be difficult to put into practice. But don't worry, as we have put together some tips that will help you improve your coexistence at home.

But before that, let's understand a little more about this new context in which we are living.

Loneliness epidemic: what is it?

One of the ways to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was to institute lockdowns. In addition to causing economic hardship due to the slowdown in the economy, lockdowns also have a significant impact on the mental health of the population, which has difficulty living with social distancing.

But long before COVID was discussed, researchers had already indicated that loneliness was increasingly having adverse effects on the population and had already coined the term “loneliness epidemic”.

But what is loneliness?

According to Stephanie Cacioppo, director of the Brain Dynamics Laboratory at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago (USA), loneliness can be defined as “the discrepancy between what you want from your relationships and what you actually have,” she said in an interview with Mundo RH .

In addition, University of Chicago senior scientist Louise Hawkley explains that all people have a need for acceptance and to be incorporated and connected in a social network, and when this does not happen, we can experience serious consequences for our physical and mental health.

In other words, loneliness is a feeling of not belonging, when people feel unable to create bonds or identify with others, generating problems in relationships and connection.

According to experts, this is a complex feeling that can manifest itself at any age, which has led to it being the subject of several studies by scientists around the world so that they can better understand its causes and consequences in our society.

In the United Kingdom, for example, according to the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness report released in 2018, 9 million Britons declared themselves to be lonely, out of a total population of 65.6 million. At the time, former Prime Minister Theresa May described the situation as a “sad reality of modern life, affecting people of all ages”.

This phenomenon has been seen in several countries in recent years. According to official surveys conducted by each region, the percentage of people who felt lonely was as follows: 7% in Europe (equivalent to 30 million people); 27.6% in Australia ; 23% in Canada ; and 28% in China .

These studies have led many experts to describe the current situation as an “epidemic of loneliness.” After all, the need for social isolation to contain the pandemic has led to an increase in the number of people who feel lonely in several countries, accelerating the “spread” of this epidemic and, consequently, bringing consequences such as health problems and even problems with relationships with friends and family.

For example, some of the most common symptoms that loneliness can cause are difficulty sleeping and feeling more stressed. This can not only harm your health, but also affect the way you deal with other people in your home or even in your work relationships.

Therefore, it is important to find solutions to deal with this situation in the best possible way, alleviating the problems that may arise from this pandemic and creating a better living environment for everyone.

We have put together some special tips that can help you with this. Check out the next topic!

How to improve coexistence during quarantine?

Living in quarantine is a very difficult time for many people, but it is possible to make it pleasant and reduce the stress and strain of arguments and family members through some daily habits.

Everyone needs to be willing to contribute to creating a light and pleasant atmosphere at home. To achieve this, here are some valuable tips that can help:

● Respect everyone’s privacy;

● Have fun individually and with your family;

● Create a routine;

● Divide household chores;

● Exercise tolerance;

● Stay calm in times of disagreement.

To help you out, we’ll explain each of these items below. Let’s go!

Respect each other's privacy

Respecting the privacy of each member of your household is the first step to reducing disagreements and fights in your home. After all, just because you are obligated to be in the same room 100% of the time doesn't mean you need to be together all the time.

Everyone should have their own space and moment of privacy, whether to fulfill some obligation such as work or study, or simply to have some leisure time and pursue a hobby such as reading, watching a series or playing video games.

Give your family members a space to spend a few hours alone. This will help them fulfill their obligations, relax and de-stress, and avoid unnecessary arguments.

Have fun individually and with your family

Even though we are in a period of isolation, this does not mean that we have to take this concept literally into practice.

Since we're indoors 24 hours a day, why not set aside some time in our day to have fun?

Whether individually as mentioned in the topic above or together with our family, creating moments of relaxation and leisure are great for brightening the atmosphere at home, helping to find ways to laugh and talk.

Even though there are big differences in ages and tastes, such as having children and elderly people at home for example, there are several game options that can please all tastes, such as:

● Board games;

● Movies and series;

● Cooking in a group;

● Video Games.

Create a routine

We all had a completely different routine before the pandemic, and with the arrival of the Coronavirus, our daily lives have changed completely.

"One of the first effects of quarantine is attentional disorientation. People feel more confused, less focused, and much more tired. They think they'll work from home and be able to rest, but that's not what happens. Because a series of stress relievers that we have at work, such as a coffee break or a chat with a colleague, are suspended," says psychoanalyst Christian Ingo Lenz Dunker in an interview with UOL .

According to the specialist, reestablishing a new routine in the midst of this new scenario can contribute a lot to our mental health, and especially to living with family members.

In other words, creating daily habits helps reduce stress and manage anxiety in these uncertain times, and can even help you feel more focused and productive in your tasks.

But how can this be done in practice?

Establish actions such as having set times to wake up, eat, work and dedicate yourself to leisure activities, for example. Having a schedule will also help you have a greater sense of control over your day and responsibilities, relieving anxiety and, consequently, stress at home.

A great example that will certainly help with this task is creating a dedicated space in your home where you can work. Working from home is already a reality for many professionals, and in order to be able to concentrate, they need to work in a space where they feel comfortable and, most importantly, where there are no distractions or interruptions such as noise.

Divide the household chores

The overload of household chores is one of the biggest reasons for arguments at home, especially during this pandemic. After all, since we are always at home, the amount of dirt, dishes to wash and clutter has increased, and keeping things tidy has become an even bigger task.

Therefore, it is important to divide up household chores so that no one feels overwhelmed and can keep the house in order.

Separate them according to each person’s preferences or availability. Also, set free days and times for these tasks to be done so that they don’t interfere with anyone’s work schedule.

This way, your home will remain clean and tidy, with everyone's contribution.

Exercise tolerance

Even if everyone at home adopts all of the above practices, it is normal that on some day someone will feel more stressed and end up fighting with someone.

Whether it's because of problems at work, worries, or simply not having a good day, be understanding with others and try to overlook some situations to avoid unnecessary arguments or tensions.

But most importantly, if you are having a bad day, try to be clear with your family about what you are feeling. Be frank and direct, and try not to take your anger or frustrations out on others.

This is an exercise in constant tolerance, but it will certainly help you maintain a good relationship with everyone during this period.

Stay calm in times of disagreement

This tip works as a complement to the previous topic: in any moment of disagreement, it is important to try to remain as calm as possible to deal with them in a balanced way.

The best way to resolve these situations is through dialogue. Try to understand why he is acting in a certain way, and especially how you are dealing with the situation.

This will make all the difference in resolving the problem and, most importantly, in avoiding possible future arguments. Therefore, always try to remain calm in disagreements and talk without aggression to resolve them.

Conclusion

Maintaining a good relationship during this period of isolation is not easy. We have been forced to readapt our routines and deal with a completely different reality, full of unforeseen events.

To help you in this scenario, in this text we have given the best tips on actions that can be adopted at home that will help to brighten the atmosphere and, most importantly, to provide a good relationship with all your family members.

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