The 8 unusual tips from psychologists during the corona crisis

If you don't want to become depressed or extremely anxious during self-isolation, you need to eat healthily, keep moving, and keep talking to people, whether via Zoom or not. We know that.

Still, I am curious about the more unusual tips from psychologists during the corona crisis. Especially in these times, I think as a psychologist: we need to be creative. More creative than we have ever been to keep ourselves a little happy, because otherwise, we will all fall into a deep pit together with our 17 million. We can do little, but can we make the best of little? That's the art in these crazy times we live in.

We are worried about our health, but also about our jobs, future, children. We don't know what daily life will look like in a month or five, whether we will be allowed to go on vacation this summer, or whether we can just go back to work and give a colleague three kisses. It's the uncertainty that makes it especially difficult. But this is how you make staying at home just a little nicer in an unusual way:

• Take a moment to appreciate that warm shower. Cherish that warm cup of coffee. Realize how nice your coffee at home actually is, how lovely your floor is, and how divine your own bed sleeps. By consciously noticing those ordinary little things and being grateful for them for a few seconds, you increase your happiness.
• Gratitude provides a serotonin boost in your brain, making you feel more happy feelings experiences.
• If you are in quarantine with your partner or family: give each other some space and time for yourself every day. A bath, a book, a phone call with your girlfriend: no one should disturb you then. You need it.
• Make sure to read the good news, where you can see how care staff are being taken care of, how companies are helping each other stay afloat, how grandmothers can still see their grandchildren through the window...
• Hang your head in the sun every now and then.
• Enjoy your toilet paper and do some puzzles.
• Bring a flower to your pregnant friend, your grandmother, your neighbor, your father, your brother... Just leave it at the door and move on. Doing something for someone else and giving something makes you happier.
• Slow down, de-stress: get bored for once. It turns out that's quite good for your brain. We are always busy and always on, now you can't and shouldn't do otherwise. The MP says so. Sitting at home. Doing nothing. Accept it.
• Try not to resist it so much, not to be angry that your plans can't go ahead. No one's plans are going ahead, and we've never experienced anything like this. The more you accept it for now, the better.