With billions of people around the world suddenly adjusting to social distancing measures as part of the battle to slow the spread of COVID-19, some professionals who are used to confinement have some tips. From astronauts to submariners, here are some practical ways to boost your well-being and stave off cabin fever during those weeks stuck at home.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
'Have a schedule'<\/p>\n
Scott Kelly, a retired NASA astronaut, spent nearly a year aboard the International Space Station. He told AFP that mindset was crucial.<\/p>\n
\"People need to have the right expectation, we don't know when this is gonna be over,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We could be in this for the long haul so your mindset needs to be: I'm living a similar thing to living in space for a year, I need to have a schedule, I need to get up at a regular time, to go to sleep at a regular time.\"<\/p>\n
He also said exercise was key for both physical and mental well-being while confined.<\/p>\n
\"You need to schedule time for exercise. If you cannot get out if you don't have a garden, raise the window shade, open the window and stick your head outside, make that part of daily routine.\"<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Find your mission<\/p>\n
For Vincent Larnaudie-Eiffel, a former commander of a nuclear submarine, working well in confinement means finding and investing in your own personal \"mission\".<\/p>\n
Just like on board the sub, \"stuck in our apartments, we all share a mission and that is to protect others, medical workers and successfully navigate this ordeal.\"<\/p>\n
He said it was important to establish a daily routine and stick to it.<\/p>\n
\"You can't give in... you need to do something with this suspended time.\"<\/p>\n
For Larnaudie-Eiffel and his crewmates, this involved building models or growing plants under artificial light during their spare time.<\/p>\n
\"It's also important that everyone has their own space,\" he told AFP. \"In a submarine it might be a cramped bed-space. It's the same in a cramped apartment.\"<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
'Try new things'<\/p>\n
Sailor Isabelle Autissier was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe alone. This involved a lot of time to herself.<\/p>\n
But she said she never felt lonely because \"I chose to be alone.\"<\/p>\n
For people stuck at home she recommends using the time \"to try new things, reading, listening to different music, write your journal, take photos, start drawing.\"<\/p>\n
Above all it's important that people don't look too far ahead.<\/p>\n
When she was at sea, facing an indeterminate amount of time alone \"the first thing is not to count the days,\" said Autissier.<\/p>\n
\"You can't constantly be thinking I'll get there in three months, in a month, in 10 minutes.\"<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Morale dips are normal'<\/p>\n
Cyprien Verseux, an astrobiologist at Germany's University of Bremen, once spent over a year in a small pod with five other volunteers simulating conditions in a future mission to Mars.<\/p>\n
\"It's normal for your morale and productivity to dip,\" he said. \"That's not a sign of weakness. Don't add guilt to your problems.\"<\/p>\n
When in confinement for the experiment, Verseux wasn't allowed outside and was forbidden from communicating in real time with the outside world.<\/p>\n
\"Even if we don't all react the same to confinement we can adopt good practice that makes these periods more manageable,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He recommends choosing one or two activities and practicing hard.<\/p>\n
\"Also do your sport, light weights, do yoga, zumba... even if there's a lack of space there are solutions to stay in shape,\" he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Stay in touch<\/p>\n
In 2009 astronaut Frank de Winne became the first European to command the International Space Station.<\/p>\n
He said it was vital to maintain human contact, even if only electronically.<\/p>\n
\"Means of communication are there, you have to make the effort and use them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Belgian, now in quarantine on Earth, makes sure to video call his elderly mother at the same time each day.<\/p>\n
\"That allows her to see me. It also creates a bit of structure for her because she knows that I'm going to call her,\" he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Visit link: With billions of people around the world suddenly adjusting to social distancing measures as part of the battle to slow the spread of COVID-19, some professionals who are used to confinement have some tips. From astronauts to submariners, here are some practical ways to boost your well-being and stave off cabin fever during those weeks stuck at home. Continue reading
\nIn space, at sea: tips on isolation from the pros - The Jakarta Post - Jakarta Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"