29 Best Tips on How to Cope with Isolation at Home (from People Who Have Done and Will Do This All Their Lives)

People with Chronic Illness are No Strangers to Being Stuck at Home in Isolation

People with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities are no strangers to being stuck at home in isolation. Many are unable to work full-time, or only have enough energy to go out for essentials tasks such as grocery shopping and doctor appointments. And even these activities require pacing and planning, to ensure that there is minimal post-exertion pain flares.

So what do people like us do at home all the time? You’ve been in isolation for a few months and should know by now – it’s definitely no holiday or fun times. It gnaws away at your mental and physical wellbeing, when you’re cooped up for this long with no social contact and minimal movement.

Changelog:
• 29 May 2020: New additions added at the end of the post.

*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on the authors' personal experiences. I/We are not doctors, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!

Read More in the Series:
• 29 Best Tips on How to Cope with Isolation at Home (from People Who Have Done and Will Do This All Their Lives) (this post)
• Best & Worst Part About Being Stuck at Home (From 32 People with Chronic Illness & Disability)
• 33 Things That Stop People with Chronic Illness From Leaving the House (Sans COVID-19)

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Yes, It's Okay to Use Different Coping Strategies for Different Days

Over the years, we’ve learned how to cope with pain and isolation in our own different ways. As you can see above, the tagline of my blog is ‘articulating chronic illness from various perspectives’. It is my genuine belief that it's beneficial to consider different viewpoints, even opposing ones.

Context matters, and I view each one as an extra tool in the coping toolbox. In fact, I do use completely opposite strategies for different days and situations. If you think about it however, they serve the same purpose at the end of the day - a bid for a better quality of life.

So let's dive in and hear what these 29 people with chronic illness have to say about how they cope with self isolation. It is after all, something they've had many years of experience doing, and will probably need to continue doing for the rest of their lives. I'm sure that we can glean some insight and learn a thing or two. Heck, even I could learn something new as a person with chronic illness myself!

What's Your One Best Tip for Dealing with Isolation at Home?

1. Anonymous 😉

“For those who don’t live with your partner, invest in some trusty sex toys!”

2. Khai Hoon

“Pick up on your long shelved hobbies, take courses and time to wind down. Spend time with family. Time to re-think and re-align purpose of life (but don’t go into depression).”

3. Ash

“Get off social media. Everyone is living their best life on there its not reality and it will make you feel bad like you’re missing out. Most people are sat on their bums watching netflix in sweat pants too, so don’t worry.”

4. Jo Moss

“Plan something to look forward to each day, like a phone call with a friend – personal contact either by phone or online is so important for your mental health.”

5. Melissa Reynolds

“Being organised and remembering self-care, especially if you’re supposed to be working and have kids at home! Give yourself grace. Anxiety is a pervasive fellow and will sneak on up so try to keep it balanced.”

6. Claire G.

“Don’t put pressure on yourself to be ‘productive’ and go with what your mind and body need each day in terms of activities.”

7. Jo Jackson

“Maintain a routine where possible but allow yourself time out if needed. Everyone has days where they are unable to cope. I get up at a similar time every day, do my stretches, food prep for the day, have a walk, do some jobs then allow myself some chill out time. If you can give purpose to each day, you will have something to get up for and feel that you’ve achieved something, even if it’s out of the norm.”

8. Karen Taylor

“Accepting that this situation is beyond my control, and it is much better for myself, my loved ones and the health system if I stay home. It’s simple, not easy, but true.”

9. Susan C Smith

“Having realistic expectations for each day. For example, rather than cleaning your entire home top to bottom in one day, agree with yourself on cleaning 1-2 drawers in the bedroom.”

10. Stacey Kovaciny

“It's Important to keep your mind busy, so arts and crafts are great for keeping you sane.”

11. Nick Winder

“If you’re still able to function well mentally, keep busy. Find something that is mentally stimulating like learning a new skill, writing, reading etc. There’s no use in worrying about the situation at hand.”

12. Katie Clark

“Think out if the box to find meaningful things to do. When I became homebound and then retired, I had to really adjust my perception of self and what my life was. I finally realized that I could do/be anything, so I began to find new things that have given me purpose.”

Read Related Posts:
• Loss of Identity with Chronic Illness & The Plot Twist: Sharpened Self-Worth
• Uplifting Activities to Do While Recovering in Bed
• Depression After Knee Surgery & How to Cope
• Must Haves After Knee Surgery to Stay Comfortable in Bed
• A String of Bad Days (and What Happened When That Good Day Finally Came Along)

13. Emmie Arnold

“Make goals for each day and week, but write them in pencil rather than pen and have grace for yourself. Know that there will be days that you get a lot done, and there also may be days that there you’re especially fatigued, sad to the point of tears, and anxious to the point of brain fog that you can’t work through. Know that whatever you do – and don’t do – is good enough. We’re going through a pandemic. This is not a vacation. This is not normal. We don’t have to pretend it is. May you take good care of yourself, be in contact with people you love, and feel joy in unexpected places amidst the global and personal heartbreaks.”

14. Jennifer Brightbill, FNTP, CEOC

“Choose your 3 core values and purpose to do ONE thing in each of those buckets each day. I choose to do one thing in my Family, Faith and Health bucket each day – even if they’re small things.”

15. Nina T Torres

“Making your home nice and comfy is my number one home bound survival tip. I’ve created a room that is super conducive to a mentally healthy environment with many accessories that create a relaxing mindfulness atmosphere. I have a HUGE Himalayan salt lamp, an electric fireplace, & a diffuser with several essential oil relaxing sense to calm the mind body and soul in my bedroom. Empowering music is also essential in creating an environment that is conducive to a mind being able to thrive in a home bound Quarantine situation.”

16. Rachel Tait (What a Pain)

“Practise self care. Actively plan self care into your day to meet whatever your needs are. For example on a day I’m struggling with loneliness my self care may be a video call to my best friend. On days where I’m mentally struggling because of my physical limitations I make a point of being kind to my body rather than mad at it. This could be doing a face mask, giving myself permission to rest or saying positive affirmations such as ‘My body is not useless; I can still do *insert something I CAN do*’.”

17. Jen Johansson

“Take one day at a time. Don’t borrow trouble from yesterday or tomorrow. Today has enough of its own.”

18. Emilee Kendell, A Mercurial Consciousness

“Take care of yourself and give structure to your day. Have a routine of tea, yoga, art, work, relaxation and family/fur/plant baby time. Try to stay out of bed during the day and get outside when you can.”

19. Carrie Kellenberger

“Netflix and TV are great, but I have a hard rule. No TV until after dinner. During the day, this gives me plenty of time to work, write, create art, work on my garden and read, which are all activities that make me feel good.”

20. Liz, Despite Pain

“Finding lots of distractions whether it be television, books, social media or a hobby.”

21. Caz / InvisiblyMe

“Focus on what you can do rather than being sucked down by what you can’t do. Look at the big and tiny things you can actually do, even if you have to think outside of the box a little. We may not be able to change the situation itself, but we can change our perspective, and perspective is a hugely powerful thing when you come to realise the potential. Give yourself permission to rest as you readjust.”

22. Cheyanne Perry

“The best tip for surviving home life is to focus on accomplishing one goal per day–even if it is something small like walking to the mailbox and back, knitting, or finishing a book.”

23. Terry Mayfield

“Acceptance. We cannot change what is out of our control. We can only change how we choose to cope.”

24. Alice

“Stay as productive and busy as you can so your your thoughts don’t go crazy.”

25. Kevin B

“Social media friends are always there when I need.”

26. Ernestine Coleman-Dupree (Virgina Nymph)

“Reaching out to others through other means so I don’t feel alone. Email, text, phone, social media. Also finding things I can do within my means so I don’t feel worthless. Can I run a mile or hike the parkway no I can’t but I can help tutor kids in English & edit short stories.”

27. Gemma

“Enjoy the little things.”

28. Sarah Poitras

“Look for interesting and new ways to engage with the space around you and use the tools you have at home to feel fulfilled. We rearranged some furniture and are using rooms in different ways and it has made us feel better just being here and also more productive.” (Read more about Sarah's travels around the world with lung disease here.)

29. Sheryl Chan

“Change your scenery, both physically and mentally. I used to enjoy working at cafés a few times a week to help with productivity and mental wellbeing. Now that I can’t do that I go for short nature walks instead (probably healthier, ironically!). Also, don’t work on the same tasks or projects every day. When you feel like your brain is maxed out on it, switch things up. This will keep you mentally stimulated, gives you momentum and have something to look forward to.”

Check Out the Latest Contributions in the Chronic Illness & Isolation Series Below

30. Cynthia Covert

“Before chronic illness, I quit working full-time to become a stay-at-home mom. Learning how to relax and not feel like every moment has to be filled with productivity was not an easy lesson to learn. It did however, prepare me for the downtime later caused by chronic illness.”

31. Rachael Tomlinson

“Take time to breathe, if I feel it’s all getting too much I turn everything off and just sit and close my eyes and breathe slowly, it’s like hitting the reset button for me.”

32. Samantha DeCosmo

“Be aware of the damage that constantly comparing yourself to others can have. Remember, people tend to share the best parts of their life on social media. Be kind to yourself, you’re doing just fine.”

33. Jaime Smith

“Well on a personal level depending on your faith, it is that God is in control. No one on this Earth is in control of what takes place. So trusting The Lord more for bringing me closer to him, becoming more faithful lot him allowing him to take the lead of my life. Oh and watching church online is nice! I never go to church due to my fatigue from Lyme Disease, so church in tv is wonderful!”

A Big Thank You to All Contributors Who Bravely Shared About Isolation at Home with Chronic Illness

I would like to thank each and every chronically ill and disabled person who contributed to this series. This can feel vulnerable, yet does help to raise awareness about what life with chronic pain and fatigue is like. It definitely is no picnic. I also hope that it helps to build up more community as we reach out for more meaningful connections.

Finally, remember that you are never alone - there are many of us out there who are in a similar situation, even if our chronic illnesses or disabilities differ. Hang in there and reach out to a trusted person today - whether in real life or a ‘spoonie friend’ online!

Read Related Posts:
• How to be a Positive Thinker: Without the Unicorns & Rainbows
• Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About
• Give Your Best Anyway, Even When You’re Feeling Depressed
• 7 Reminders For Those Bad Days to Keep You Going
• Chronic Illness is Unpredictable, but You Don’t Always Have to Fear the Unknown
• Find Your Way Back to Happiness with a Chronic Illness

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