Confinement: How to Keep Your Mental Health in Good Shape

NOTE: KION's Josh Kristianto currently shows no symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus). He is self-isolating by his own choice for the benefit of his family and the public after returning from the United Kingdom in a recent trip. News-Press & Gazette Company, who owns KION, has also mandated he stay and work from home to safeguard those working in the newsroom.

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) It's Monday. It's the start of the first full week of California's stay-at-home order in effect, set to go on "until further notice."

I've been getting used to being at home and working on my desk with my laptop, trying to make sense of all the news and numbers that come up every day. I'm sure many of us on the Central Coast are doing the same, finding ways to make this confinement order go by breezily.

Being home all day could give you a case of cabin fever, where you feel the need to just get out of the house to stretch your legs and be in a different environment. Being with the kids all day or with your family could take a toll too; we're not used to being around each other 24/7.

Sometimes it's hard to separate work from home if you're working from home. I've had to put my laptop in my room and say out loud, "I'm done for the day" to feel like I'm off the clock. It helps me at least.

There are some things we can do to keep our mental health in check: the World Health Organization says don't drink too much and don't smoke at all.

Eating healthy is also the best way to boost your immune system, so drinking less sugary beverages is good. Exercising for about 30 minutes a day can improve your mood too as adults; for kids, an hour day.

Yoga, dancing, walking up and down the stairs are also good ways to stay moving. Have a dance party with your kids!

If you're working from home, you should take a break every half an hour for three minutes. You should also move around often instead of just sitting in the same position for hours.

Lastly, it's important to get yourself thinking about other things rather than the COVID-19 pandemic. I've been watching cable and national news every day for hours to keep up with everything, but I've noticed I've started feeling overwhelmed and helpless after a while because of it.

We here at KION are striving to bring you the best local information on the crisis on the Central Coast. That means bringing you good, uplifting stories as well, of how people in the community are working with one another for the best outcome.

But listening to music, watching a play online or building Legos with the family is a great way to keep your mind on the important people in your life. It'll also bring relief to anxiety and fear.