For the first few days, it was probably nice to spend extra time with your spouse or family. But then the anxiety sets in that we’re all stuck in lockdown for an undisclosed amount of time. It becomes even more complicated because now we’re all quarantined dealing with our family’s anxieties and needs daily too. There is no escape from the daily squabbles or meltdowns that on a normal day seemed mildly annoying. However, now all you want to do is cry. The following tips will help you cope with your spouse, your children, or your roommates during this crisis.
Tips for Being Confined with Your Spouse
- Respect each other’s space. Many of us are working from home. Some couple may be sharing an office or a desk for the very first time. If possible, try to schedule your work shifts at different periods if one of you prefers typing in peace and one does several conference calls daily.
- Spend some time alone. This may mean taking an extra long shower to reading a new book. It’s wise to spend some time by yourself each day.
- Limit the amount of time you spend reading or watching the news about the coronavirus. It will only make your anxiety go that much higher.
- Learn how to communicate fairly. During isolation, we'll have small things creep up that bothers us. It’s important that we only communicate in the present and don’t bring up past grievances.
- Spend some time outdoors. Get some fresh air and take long walks and talk.
Tips for Helping Your Kids
- Keep your day on a schedule. It doesn’t have to be rigid. You can let the kids sleep in longer, but it helps to have some activities planned for the day.
- Allow them to talk about their fears. Many kids are not only upset about the virus but about missing school and their friends.
- Remember that you don’t have to perfect. Children learn by watching their parents. If they see that you’re struggling but all right, they will be too.
Tips for Living with Roommates
- Discuss the importance of each other’s health and the precautions you’ll take if one of you becomes ill. Even if it turns out to be just an ordinary cold or flu, decide where the sick person should stay and what areas of the house they’ll use.
- Talk about splitting about cleaning and chores. Discuss the importance of sanitizing and disinfecting during this time, especially if one of you does become sick.
- Create a schedule for shared spaces if you share a small apartment. While it may be fun to binge Netflix together some of the time, we need space too.
These are just a few suggestions to help you cope with your household while you’re in quarantine. If you need more assistance, please contact us at (510) 949-8668.
