You already know that each new stage of life comes with new adventures.
In the times of COVID-19, however, we’re not so much in a new “stage of life” as we are all enduring a shared period of isolation. If you’re feeling a bit batty these days, we can just about guarantee it has little to do with you and a lot more to do with being human and alive in the times of lockdown and a pandemic.
That part about being alive is where we start in our discussion today. But just being alive is no longer enough. To make sure you live as well as you can, let’s dive into the six signs that you might be suffering pangs of “feeling batty” due to extended time in self-quarantine.
These signs are a little anecdotal, but you can easily tweak the details to see if they’re symptoms you can relate to. You’ll get the idea. Fill in the blanks for your personal situation to see if what’s “got you” is really cabin fever.
- Your pet is suddenly a great conversationalist.
- You and your dog are in sync, both fascinated by what passes by your window. (You find yourself by his or her side on the couch, sitting the wrong way, craning your neck to get a better look past the curtain.)
- You’re napping more than your cat.
- You have no pets, never wanted any, but all the sudden a pet seems like a good idea.
- You’ve cleaned everything in your home and are now on your second time through. This time you’ll organize everything by color.
- You’re dreaming you live in quarantine.
So, what can you do about it?
For starters, you can contact us at Home Health Companions. We can provide not only the care but the companionship you need to feel more grounded in this unprecedented time.
Leading up to and between your appointments, even when you’re feeling over-the-edge, it’s important to remind yourself that this is temporary. Your goal is to stay safe and healthy.
Still, a boost to help you muddle through—and yes, even improve your mood—is possible, so here are our favorite ideas of actions you can take starting now.
Learn something new.
This idea is shared along with an extensive list of other, equally valuable notions at Sixty and Me in the article “Stuck at Home? 20 Fun Ideas for Women to Do at Home.” And gentleman, the list of suggestions easily applies to you as well, so don’t let the title fool you.
We can all attest to how learning ratchets up your brain activity while helping time fly by. This is especially true when you stretch into areas outside your wheelhouse. Plus, learning something new helps you discover more things about you, too, which is a good thing if you’re spending most of your time with yours, truly.
Any number of learning opportunities await you with free online courses, too, via portals like Udemy and Coursera. You can explore these websites and scout out which is best for you in the article “14 Free Online Courses for Senior Citizens.” The tips are truly informative for a universal audience, whatever the title says!
Learn the tech you’ve always said you couldn’t learn.
And as long as we’re on the subject of learning new things, you could make learning something tech-related your goal. You might have said (and even believe) that you can’t learn to use your computer, phone, or tablet beyond what you know now, but you truly can if you have the right resources and take your time.
Sometimes what holds you back from becoming more skilled with technology is simply the wrong instructor. You know which ones we’re talking about—the impatient trainers who talk too fast and don’t offer steps to the process.
Over at Aging in Place, the article “How to Become a Tech-Savvy Senior in 10 Days” offers you the basics of why learning your tech can help you enjoy access to the world of information. The article also provides resources that will help you learn in the way that works best for you.
Virtual dinner parties and happy hours.
This is an enormously popular option that can open a world of possibilities to keep in touch with people near or far. You can get together with friends and family using so many simple tools that don’t even require tech savvy. Facebook has something available in their Messenger application for video chats, for instance. The free application called WhatsApp is super easy. Zoom Meeting also works well and has a free version, too.
The point isn’t so much what you do during these virtual visits. You can get creative and will find that time flies when you meet. Just as important is that you plan the virtual visits and fill up your calendar. Scheduling fun in your future is a HUGE boost to your spirit and helps you keep feeling grounded in this bizarre time we’re living.
If you are trying to avoid eating too much food during quarantine, make your virtual gathering hinge on something else instead. Book club? Karaoke? Dance party? That’s right—play tunes you and your group love and just shake it out!
Teach it, record it, and share it online.
If you’ve got a skill or talent, it’s time to share how you go about doing that thing. Seriously, you could be the next YouTube phenomenon—although that’s not really the point. It’s easy to get started creating videos and then uploading them to your own YouTube channel.
Do you know how to knit, draw, or play an instrument? Maybe you love to read aloud or recite poetry. Record it and share it. Really, it’s not about finding the big audience but reaching out to your own audience of friends and family. They need something other than the news to watch, and if you have something to share—from family stories to how to change the oil in your car—offer step-by-step instructions in a video and hang it on your proverbial wall.
Join a group.
This might seem strange given many of us are currently in quarantine, but check out Meetup.com where groups form to share their interests. For example, you’ll find book clubs, knitting groups, writers and a wide variety of other groups looking for people to join them. Given the pandemic, many have migrated to creating virtual events that you can join in a click.
Make someone’s day with snail mail.
Remember you are not alone. You have friends and family in the same isolation boat with you. And, especially if you’ve been around for a while, you know how to write a letter. Some would say it’s a lost art. Drop a note in the mail and surprise someone. Write some thoughts down. Tell a story. Do something kind for someone else, and that will help you even more.
Your goal today and every day is to focus on what is right in front of you. We are living in historic times, but there are many advantages available to us as well. Finding outlets in learning, digital tools and connecting with others will help you find the bright spots and avoid that “batty” feeling. Hang in there!
Bibliography:
https://www.aginginplace.org/how-to-become-tech-savvy-for-seniors-in-10-days/
https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-dont-more-people-over-60-have-youtube-channels/