ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

Learning to live in isolation!

Tips for everyone - by Emma Levett
  • 11 Apr 2020
Learning to live in isolation!

The coronavirus has changed everyday life as we know it. If we’d been told months ago that any of this was going to happen, most of us would probably have laughed at the ridiculousness of it.

It sounds like a disturbing and terrifying reality TV show.

But as of January 2020, it became the reality for billions of people all over the world and, more recently, of us here. While restrictions are evolving, here are ways to make life easier indoors...

Coronavirus living in self isolation

Families with young children

The internet is probably already your new best friend. From online storytelling to science experiments, there are so many free resources and websites to help parents cope.

Setting up video chat ‘play dates’ with friends and grandparents, via free apps like Skype and Facebook FaceTime and Zoom (although the free version gives you limited time), is a great way to keep everyone connected. For parents who need to work from home, set up a timetable for who’s working and who’s parenting and stick to it.

TOP TIP: Your patience is likely to wear thin. There will be tantrums (yours and theirs) but don’t beat yourself up about it. This is new for everyone.

Coronavirus living in self isolation

Families with teenagers

This is actually the time to encourage teens with their technology. Isolation has an impact on people’s mental health and that’s particularly true for adolescents. The more connected they can feel, the better. Give each other space but spend some time together every day where any issues are set aside. Try and keep teens to a daily routine with the same sleep schedule.

TOP TIP: Keep everyone active. Put on some fun tunes and dance! Kick a ball in your backyard, skip rope on your balcony or find a free exercise video on YouTube.

Singles

Isolating alone doesn’t mean you have to be alone. You can watch movies or sport with friends and family, virtually. Reaching out to offer support to others, if you’re able, is a good way to feel less alone too. Dating apps are seeing a huge surge and many offer in-app video calls and audio dates.

TOP TIP: Know that millions are in the same boat. Facebook groups offering support and friendship from other self-isolating singles are springing up daily.

Coronavirus living in self isolation

Couples

Chat about what you can do in moments where things are stressful. There will be times when you get on each other’s nerves! Try to establish a routine if you’re working from home. Don’t stay in your PJs all day and build in breaks for some time outside. Finding a new work-life balance can be hard. Set time aside for each other so work doesn’t always take precedence. If you’re not working, try to set up a schedule for exercise, reading or being on the computer alone, but eating together.

TOP TIP: Try to put any arguments on hold. Pick your battles and weigh up if they’re really worth it at the moment.

Coronavirus living in self isolation

Elderly people

Being in isolation doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected with your community. If you aren’t good on the internet, phone a friend or neighbour. There are lots of kind people dropping notes in letterboxes offering to help, so do take advantage of these. Shopping can be done online or use the special shopping hour from 7-8am where only seniors can access major supermarkets. Keep up with your that’s life! puzzles to keep your brain active. And if you get stuck, phone a friend and have a chat to work out the answer together. Also, that’s life! has a friendly community of puzzlers on our Facebook page, so why not join them?

TOP TIP: Stay as physically active as possible, even if that’s just a walk around your backyard or doing stretches and marching on the spot in front of the telly.

Need help?

If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing mental health concerns or domestic abuse during this time of increased stress, there are a number of services available you can call 24 hours a day.

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Aus), 0800 543 354 (NZ).
  • Domestic violence: 1800 737 732 (Aus), 0800 733 843 (NZ).
  • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (Aus), 0800 54 37 54 (NZ).

For more, see this week’s that’s life! – out now!

thats life! issue 15
  • News
  • Lifestyle

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Man who broke quarantine to visit girlfriend is first to be jailed

Man who broke quarantine to visit girlfriend is first to be jailed

Dog's hilarious account of being stuck in quarantine with owner

Dog's hilarious account of being stuck in quarantine with owner

Children's birthday party lands parents with more than $26,000 worth of fines

Children's birthday party lands parents with more than $26,000 worth of fines

Police reveal the coronavirus rules Aussies have broken in the past day

Police reveal the coronavirus rules Aussies have broken in the past day

{headline}

{headline}

L-plater fined $1600 for ‘non-essential travel’

L-plater fined $1600 for ‘non-essential travel’

Family goes viral with hilarious isolation-themed parody of hit Les Mis song 'One Day More'

Family goes viral with hilarious isolation-themed parody of hit Les Mis song 'One Day More'

Looking at life in lockdown

Looking at life in lockdown

{headline}

{headline}

Angry shopper COUGHS at cancer patient in supermarket

Angry shopper COUGHS at cancer patient in supermarket

CLEVER KID: A bestseller at just four years old!

CLEVER KID: A bestseller at just four years old!

'It's called social DOG-stancing' Dave the beagle opens up about life in isolation

'It's called social DOG-stancing' Dave the beagle opens up about life in isolation

CORONAVIRUS CHEER: Put your bins out in your BALLGOWN

CORONAVIRUS CHEER: Put your bins out in your BALLGOWN

Coronavirus Australia: Woman fined $1300 for spitting on Brisbane hospital workers

Coronavirus Australia: Woman fined $1300 for spitting on Brisbane hospital workers

Aussie 'miracle man' aged 79 bursts into tears as he thanks medics after beating coronavirus

Aussie 'miracle man' aged 79 bursts into tears as he thanks medics after beating coronavirus

Mum throws her one-year-old son a Corona themed birthday party

Mum throws her one-year-old son a Corona themed birthday party

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • Hard to Find
  • Australian Women's Weekly
© 2023 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!