Home alone during lockdown? Here's how to deal with anxiety

“You know what’s more annoying than staying alone in your little apartment during the lockdown? The cutesy, lovey-dovey pictures of couples - friends, cousins, exes, and even celebs - spamming my feed when I am so lonely and single! Never have I ever regretted not listening to my mum more, who has been after my life to ‘settle down’ since 2017," says Sagar Sinkar, a 32-year-old lawyer, from Pune.
Like Sagar, millions of people across the world are currently locked down all alone, and dealing with loneliness, anxiety and an absolute lack of human touch hasn't exactly been easy, they say. Experts are now claiming, that along with a financial downturn, the pandemic will bring with it a social recession, with more and more being cut-off from society. And isolation and loneliness don't just leave an emotional impact on your psyche, but can affect you physically too. Loneliness has been linked to a range of health problems, from cardiovascular diseases to cancer, rapid ageing or even renal failure. One study even said that its effects can be equally as devastating as that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
So how do you keep healthy and sane through it all? We spoke to a few people, across age groups, locked down alone, on their biggest challenges, and the hacks they've developed to deal with them. Here's what they had to say:
CHALLENGES OF LIVING ALONE DURING LOCKDOWN...
THE DEADLY COCKTAIL OF BOREDOM, ANXIETY AND LONELINESS

"Being alone for long periods of time inevitably leads to boredom and moodiness," says Apoorva Dutt, a 31-year-old content strategist, based - and locked down alone - in Singapore.
"You feel this cyclical anxiety about the future, as you have no one to share it with," says Rohan Kulkarni, 29, from Pune.
"The biggest thing that works on my mind is that I shouldn't fall sick when I am alone," says Rozita Kapoor, 62, from Delhi, while Komal Sinha, 30, adds, "I'm scared that, God forbid, something happens to someone I love right now, I won't even be able to be there for them."

"Having to deal with every problem and chore on your own tops the list," says Apoorva. Rozita seconds this, saying, "Single-handedly managing all my household chores is tough, but I consider it to be a silver lining since I am not working out these days, so this will help me to stay active. In fact I have kind of started enjoying cooking and cleaning."
Others are not having as great a time. "I'm terrible in the kitchen, so that's not been fun," admits Komal, while Rohan adds, "I find that my trying to do everything simultaneously, often leads to burnout, and nothing ends up getting done."

One of the most haunting effects of solitary lockdown? "The absolute absence of human touch," says Rohan.

Rozita says it's hard to watch "all the families around you eating, laughing, and gossiping, while you're all alone." "For the first time in my life, I feel hearing ‘Honey, the dinner is ready,’ would be music to your ears," adds Sagar, admitting, "I feel angry when I see couples post videos of working out, gardening or baking together, but to deal with this emptiness, I am visiting the profiles of the ‘suitable brides’ suggested by my mum. I can’t wait for this lockdown to get over so that I can meet the one I really like.”
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... AND HERE’S HOW THEY DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES
ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE
... they can't stress it enough!
"Maintain the same routine throughout. Get up at the same time, get ready and get with it!" says Apoorva.
"Plan your next day in advance and stick to a strict schedule on weekdays. Have a time slot for each activity through the day, and don't stray from the schedule at any give point!" warns Rohan.
CLEAN UP!

"Give cleanliness, and self-hygiene utmost priority, because that keeps you going through the toughest days. Keep your spaces clutter-free and organised, because it almost makes you feel like you life is in order too," advises Rohan.
EAT YOUR VEGETABLES

"Eat healthy meals at normal times. If you get bored or snacky, in the middle distract yourself," says Apoorva, adding that binge-eating or feasting on junk food will only bring you down more right now.
TAKE UP A NEW HOBBY
“I feel lonely but instead of sitting and feeling homesick, I have made a to-do list and learn one skill every day till the whole lockdown period. For example, I learnt how to make a bookmark, flowers with old socks, and sketch. It keeps you focused and helps keep negativity at bay," says Kevin Vincent, a 28-yea-old guitarist from Mumbai.
However, Rohan cautions, "Don't be too hard on yourself if you're not being too productive. It's okay to not come out of the lockdown with new skills and hobbies, having read 50 books and met various goals. Don't get peer-pressured by social media."
STAY CONNECTED

"Call your loved ones twice a day," says Rohan.
"Seriously, reach out to people online, and get used to video chats," adds Apoorva.
Komal has found new ways of connecting with people. "My friends, family and I have all downloaded a bunch of games that we play together online in a surprisingly competitive fashion so we feel connected through the day."
HELP OTHERS
"Cooking for old couples living next door to me and helping them with groceries/medicines has made me feel a little less lonely,” says Kevin.