Supporting Your Mental Health While Stuck at Home

June 9, 2020
Post by: Vicky Magobet

Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on June 9, 2020.

We live in a strange time. Who would have predicted a year ago that countless Americans would be stuck in their houses because of stay-at-home orders? There are many unknowns, and for those who struggle with addiction, you may be tempted to turn to drugs or alcohol to deal with the uncertainty. Here are a few things you can do while stuck at home to support your mental health.

Cut Yourself Some Slack

Stress is a natural reaction. Whether it's fear about your own safety or the safety of your friends and loved ones, you're bound to experience a certain amount of trepidation. Don't be too hard on yourself if you're feeling heightened stress and anxiety. Stress is normal, as long as it doesn't start impacting your mental and physical health.

Recognize the Symptoms of Unhealthy Stress

While stress is normal, there reaches a point where it can become harmful to your mental, emotional and physical health. When that happens, don't ignore it and hope it goes away. Coping with stress in a healthy way is vital to your sobriety. Here are some signs that your anxiety has reached unhealthy levels:

You find it difficult to sleep
You've lost your appetite
Concentrating has become difficult
Health problems like high blood pressure or chronic indigestion are developing or worsening
Mental health issues such as depression or an anxiety disorder are developing or worsening
You find yourself turning to alcohol, tobacco or drugs for relief

Take a Break From the News

From social media to Youtube to the nightly news, every screen in your home is undoubtedly filled with reports about the latest developments. Hearing bad news can be unsettling and impact your mental health. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, turn off the news and focus on other things.

Take Care of Others

Remember that you are not the only one suffering. Helping others cope is a great way to cope with your own stress. While you may be stuck at home, there's still a lot you can do, such as:

Write letters of encouragement to the elderly who are isolated in nursing homes away from the people they love.
Call or video chat with your friends and family members to see how they're doing.
If you have the means, donate money to charities helping with relief.

Do What You Enjoy

While eating out at your favorite restaurant or planning a vacation may not be possible, there are a lot of things you can enjoy around the house:

Binge-watch a new TV show
Read a book that excites you
Give your yard and garden a little TLC
Pamper yourself with an in-house spa day
Take a stroll around your neighborhood or at a nearby park

Freedom From Addiction Is Available at Diamond House Detox

Turning to drugs or alcohol is not uncommon during emotionally charged times. Don't let substances rob you of your health and freedom. If you find that you're struggling with addiction during stay-at-home orders, help is available. Diamond House Detox in Northern California provides individualized treatment to break the cycle of addiction and address any mental health factors impacting your recovery.

Contact our compassionate team to learn more about our addiction treatment programs.

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Vicky Magobet

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Diamond House Detox

Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.