How to Slow the Quiet Onset of Inner Madness 

Hello friend, I’ve been trapped inside for days, weeks even. Although at first, I thought, “Hey, look at the silver lining, you can work on all those projects you’ve been putting off for so long.” The truth of the matter is that I don’t want to. I miss people, and I feel like I am slowly losing my mind. 

It started off great, I was making art, I was watching a little TV here and there, I turned off all my alarms. What more could you want from the apocalypse? However, it turns out that madness, much like this virus is like fighting an invisible enemy. 

So if you’ve found yourself seeking a weird amount of attention from the person you’ve been stuck in a one-bedroom apartment with for 10+ days, or you’ve started taking the dog a little too seriously, here are my tips for fending off the devil that’s trying to crawl from your shoulder into your brain. 

Find a Routine

If you’re anything like me, the idea of sitting around watching Netflix all day and never waking up to the sound of an alarm again sounded like a dream come true but has quickly turned into a waking coma.

I’m not saying you need to start setting the alarm again, because let’s face it, this pandemic is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy your sleep. That being said, it’s a good idea to have a plan for the day and even the week ahead. 

As much as I hate to admit it, I miss the neverending daily grind of wake up go to work, come home, go to sleep repeat. That’s because society has turned us into creatures of habit, and that’s not a bad thing. We are capable of getting so much done in our day to day lives, it’s no wonder when you take away the option for us to get up and go somewhere we start to miss it. 

Finding a routine in your new life at home can seem pointless. Still, I promise you this, finding a sense of purpose in the neverending cycle that is life during this shut down can give a whole new driving force to your day in, day in life. It doesn’t have to be a lot either, but knowing what you’re going to do when you wake up in the morning, and knowing what happens just a few steps after that gives your brain something to hold on to. We could all use something to hold on to right now. 

Set some goals for yourself

I know some of us are lucky enough to be able to work from home right now, and that’s great. But what about those of us that are without a job? Now is not the time to let your brain turn to a mushy bowl of old gravy. It’s time to try something new or finish something old.

Do you have a project around the house that you’ve always wanted to get done but just never found the time? Now is the time. Have you been meaning to learn how to play that dusty old guitar that’s sitting in the closet? What are you waiting for? 

There are a ton of projects you can do around your house. With delivery services still up and running, you can get supplies for any crafts you might want to do, or pick up that book you’ve wanted to read. Maybe it’s time to take up baking or learn how to make pasta. 

The point is, there are so many things that we always mean to do, or would “totally get to if I only had the time.” Well, you do now! Find something that interests you and set a goal for yourself. Keeping your brain active and working towards something is what keeps your spirit strong. Even if it’s just one or two things a day, an hour here and there, you have the time now, so set a goal that makes you happy or proud or one that makes you feel good about yourself. 

Move your Body

Ok serious moment: I hate exercise. I hate it! But I also have a job that keeps me pretty active, so I’m moving around a ton on a daily basis. About a week into this, I started realizing I had to do something. I was restless but tired at the same time, and I couldn’t stop pacing around the apartment. 

I started off going to the park, taking walks outside feels fantastic. You don’t realize how cooped up you feel in your place until you go out, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. I heard from an old friend that walking only 20 minutes a day will help to keep you in shape and get your blood flowing. I don’t know if that’s like medically true, but it sounds pretty good, so a walk it is! 

After the city shut down, walking was less of an option, and I found myself once again stuck inside. Never fear, work out videos are here! Don’t you remember a time when you could flip through the channels in the morning and find Cindy Crawford Buns of Steel or Tae Bo or something equally amazing and dated on the TV? Well, guess what? They are online!!! 

So, why not try a new work out? Jane Fonda has several workouts on Prime, all for free, so stop watching Grace and Frankie and move your buns! Then you can go back to Grace and Frankie because it’s an excellent show. 

There are a million options when it comes to exercise. Be it indoor, online, or walking around the block, keeping your body moving is so important, and it will also add to your daily routine and keep your mind busy. 

Meditation 

I know, I know, meditation isn’t the answer to everything, Keir! Except it kinda is. Look, if you’re in the same boat I’m in, you’ve started noticing bizarre emotional swings, lack of motivation, excessive exhaustion. All of these things are a result of the current climate, both outside your door, and the fact that you are stuck inside your doors.

Meditation allows you to check in with your body, your mind, and your spirit. If nothing else, it will help you learn to calm your inner voices, or at least not listen to them so much. 

A lot of people say they are “bad at meditation.” Well, I’d like to point out that they call it a practice for a reason. There are a million ways to meditate, so give it a try and find the one that’s right for you. You’ve got the time. 

Practicing meditation can help you to improve your mood, your outlook, and it can even help to enhance brain function… (and that I did read in a book written by an actual doctor.) 

Try it out. There are a million apps out there that can help you learn how to meditate, there’s Calm, Simple Habit, and Insight Timer, just to name a few. Maybe it’s something you’ve tried and given up, or maybe it’s something you’ve avoided altogether. Still, if you’re struggling with being stuck in your house, I’d say it’s worth a shot to keep your brain working for you.

Reach Out

These are trying times, but it helps to remember that we are all in this together. Reach out to friends and family, catch up with people. Talk on the phone. I will say in the weeks since this started, I’ve spent more time face to facetime with my mom and other people in my life than I have in years prior. In a weird way, it’s brought us closer together. 

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Check-in, make goals together. You can start a video chat book club, or draw together, or just tell each other about your plans for the day. Now more than ever, it’s important that we don’t lose that human connection. 

So call your loved ones, go for a walk, and when you do, don’t forget to say hi to the people you pass on the road. There’s a story I remember from when I was a kid, it went something like this; you can’t go over it, you can’t go around it, you’ve got to go through it… And you know what, we can totally get through it. 

Remember to give yourself a break today. We are living in unexpected and unpredictable times. Be nice to each other, and be nice to yourself. No one said this was going to be fun, but no one said it had to be miserable either.