Frustration, Stress, and Aggression – How to Deal With Isolation?

The last few months have been very difficult for most of us. Coronavirus stress, forced isolation, social distancing… all new and unexpected. There are many indications that the situation may repeat itself soon, and we will once again be forced to spend practically all the time at home. How can you deal with isolation and overcome frustration, stress and even aggression?

Man is by nature a social being, which is why it is so difficult for us to live in isolation. Daily conversations with others, meetings at school or at work, social events are important elements of our lives. During them, we not only have a good time, but also meet the basic needs related to social life. Isolation, both voluntary and involuntary, limits us and, to some extent, contradicts our freedom. When we cannot do what we want and are used to, we feel discomfort and easily get angry. If this condition persists for a long time, it can turn into frustration and even aggression.

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has shown us that in some situations the well-being of the public is much more important than the well-being of individuals. Although it was a nuisance for many people to spend virtually all the time at home, stopping the virus became a priority. Even though we all knew why isolation is so important, some of us have been hit hard. Fortunately, shutting down doesn’t have to be related to negative emotions only. The most important thing is how we approach it. Isolation can turn out to be a time that we use in a very productive way.

If you feel stressed just thinking about forced retirement, try to find as many positives as possible about spending time at home. Although you can only see the negatives, there are really many pluses! First of all, it can be a chance to finally slow down and take a break from stressful work. You can also use time at home in a creative way, e.g. by developing a new passion or re-arranging spaces. This time does not have to be boring, and how you use it is entirely up to you and the limits of your imagination.

How can I cope with the frustration of not being able to leave home? The best method is planning! Think about how you would like to spend your time at home. If you have been carrying an intention for a long time, it’s time to put it into practice. Renovation? Or maybe a thorough cleaning of the whole house? Try to prepare a list of activities that you have long wanted to do and divide them into days. Set a schedule for achieving individual goals and try to make your schedule diverse. Give up undemanding entertainment, such as watching TV or playing games, and bet on things that will give you satisfaction.

Do you love to browse the shelves, or maybe your passion is the gym or fitness? No matter what you usually do in your spare time, try to find a home version of your hobby. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. Traditional purchases can be replaced with online purchases. Instead of visiting a beautician, you can organize a home SPA. You can bring home many of the exercises you do at the gym. Often, a little creativity is enough to let you do what you like within your own four walls!

To avoid stress and frustration, the best method is to find an interesting activity. When an activity involves us, we don’t have time to get nervous and stress. The frustration resulting from boredom and lack of contact with others can unfortunately quickly turn into aggression. Many people need a little stimulation to stop or even reverse the process altogether. It’s a good idea to do this, like finding a new job for which we didn’t have time before. It can be anything we enjoy – such as growing plants, DIY, cooking.

Remember that isolation does not mean closing in on yourself. Just because we spend time at home does not mean we cannot communicate with others. Nowadays, we have a very wide range of possibilities related to various forms of communication. We can choose, for example, a classic phone call or a modern chat.

Video calls are also very important during isolation. Thanks to them, we can see our interlocutor live. It is therefore a simulation of real contact that automatically reduces frustration and gives the appearance of normalcy.

The worst thing you can do to yourself is fall into a routine. Isolation is a great opportunity to catch up on socializing with people from different parts of the country. If you feel unwell or simply feel monotony, call people close to you and share your fears and fears with them. If you feel that isolation overwhelms you, make an appointment with a psychologist. Use a video call with a therapist and share what’s on your mind. Consulting a specialist may be the solution to your problems.

If you feel overly isolated, you may need outside help. It is especially useful when you feel constantly negative emotions while being locked up. If being at home makes you nervous and frustrated despite following our advice, your behavior may indicate a serious emotional disturbance. The sooner you react and sign up for psychological counseling, the easier it will be for you to control your emotions and use isolation for self-development and relaxation.