Student Isolation Wellbeing Plan

So you're isolating...

Right now you’re probably feeling a lot of things—frustrated, frightened, unsure, maybe unwell. What can you do? 

Let yourself feel your feelings 

They’ll come and go, crest and fall, like waves. They can feel really intense, but remember that there are also times that you’ve felt different. Know that this won't last forever. 

Stay connected 

OK, so you can’t meet friends or go out for brunch —but you can call, text, FaceTime, email, Zoom, WhatsApp... you get the picture. Try to make contact with at least one other human being every day. 

Take a mini-vacation with distraction when emotions get intense 

Try enjoyable, absorbing activities (coloring books, knitting, drawing, doodling, playing Animal Crossing, spending time on social media). Try distracting yourself with sensations: take a hot or cold shower or watch a YouTube video of a place where you'd love to travel. 

Sooth and ground with sensations 

Smooth some scented lotion on your skin, and really feel the lotion on your hands and on your arms and legs. Breathe deeply and appreciate the smell. Make yourself some peppermint tea. Breathe in the fragrance and feel the warmth of the cup between your hands. Lie in bed and listen to soothing music. In the moment, be completely mindful of those sensations, and let any worries that pop up float out of your consciousness like clouds. 

Keep cool while monitoring your symptoms 

Follow your primary care directions for monitoring symptoms, including taking your temperature regularly. This can feel nerve-wracking (what will the thermometer say this time?!) but keep in mind that you're proactively taking care of yourself and the community. Remember, you have a plan in place for what to do if symptoms appear or worsen, and there's always someone you can call if you're unsure what a symptom means contact the Student Health Center at (909) 748-8021. 

Set the stage for success. 

Avoid distractions and soothing strategies that can ultimately make emotions harder to regulate! Staying up late (up all night on Insta?), too much caffeine or alcohol can all set the stage for moodiness and increased anxiety—even if they seem to help in the moment. 

Set a schedule 

When so much feels uncertain, having some structure can help hold things together. As much as you can, try to stick to a given sleep and wake time, meal times and times for things like movement, meditation, studying and connecting with loved ones. 

Reach out 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out—to friends and family, to your advisor, or students may call Counseling Services, who are available to talk you through the stresses of quarantine, classes and COVID. Employees may contact Health Advocate at https://members.healthadvocate.com/Home or (866) 799-2728. 

Resources 

• Wanna journal or write to pass the time and find a little clarity but don't know where to get started? Google journaling prompts or NYT Picture Prompts for thousands of ideas to get your juices flowing. 
• Insight Timer app for thousands of free guided meditations (& some to help with sleep!). 
• Take a virtual museum tour or visit a national park with Google Arts & Culture's guide. 
• Find tutorials on learning to draw, paint, calligraphy, or another creative outlet on Youtube. 
• Find inspiration for a gratitude practice (including daily prompts!) through gratefulness.org. 
• Check out the Five Dimensions of Wellness on The Office of Community Standards and Wellbeing website.