Coping with Quarantine

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone, but it can present especially challenging scenarios for parents and caretakers of children and teens. The team at Nashville Neuropsychology and Family Services has assembled a few tips to help your children, and you, cope with Coronavirus self-isolation. For more resources you can check out our post on Managing Family Anxiety During Stressful Times. As always, if you or your child needs additional support and tools for coping with anxiety and stress during this unprecedented time, please contact us to schedule a phone or video consultation appointment.

Maintain a schedule

While it may be tempting to sleep in or take multiple daytime naps when you’re home all day, it is important to keep a consistent sleep schedule as you would on regular school days to maintain the natural rhythms of our bodies and minds.

Establish “school-time” for kids (and parents) to devote to take-home work or practice academic skills.

Schedule exercise and movement breaks throughout the day to prevent restlessness and agitation.

Keep an organized environment

Assign “stations” for certain activities in different parts of the house. For example, a “quiet station” may be an area to do homework, read, and relax, whereas an “activity station” (as far away from the quiet station as possible) can be an area to release excess energy.

Designate a workspace for schoolwork in an area of the house with few distractions (e.g., facing a wall rather than a window, no access to electronics) that includes all necessary materials.

Beware of the devices

With extra time on our hands, it’s easy to turn to our phones and tablets for entertainment. Avoid over-using electronics by tracking electronic time and setting timers for use.

Avoid having a TV on in the background while going about your day to avoid over-stimulation and the possibility of increasing anxiety through constant media noise.

Take advantage of family time

Organize family activities such as cooking a meal, creating an arts and crafts project, playing games, and getting outdoors together.

Have the whole family get involved in creating an action plan to help everyone feel heard and to increase cooperation.

Set aside time to talk as a family about fears, worries, hopes, and plans. Also, take time to talk about absolutely nothing!