A Survivor's Guide to Hotel Quarantine
A Survivor’s Guide to
Hotel Quarantine
In mid-December 2020, I suddenly took leave as a Psychologist at Port Phillip Psychology, because of a family medical emergency. Within a few days, I found myself boarding a plane to Athens, Greece.
It is now early March 2021, I have finally returned and feel excited to be back on Australian soil. The excitement is short-lived, knowing that I must undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine. Since arriving back, I notice that so far, all my face-to-face contact is restricted to Australians in uniform. At the airport, I and my fellow passengers were greeted with health staff in their medical blue gowns, and then escorted to our hotel by uniformed soldiers and police. Hotel security personnel in an all-black uniform, monitor my hotel floor 24 hours a day. It feels surreal and unsettling.
Psychological research tells us that the effects of social isolation from extended lockdown or quarantine poses serious risk to our mental health. Long-term social isolation is associated with a rise in depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Individuals who are most at risk, include people with a history of mental illness, those belonging to a vulnerable group, and particular personalities.
Individuals with neurotic personality traits, who are prone to high stress are a high-risk group during lockdown and social confinement. Individuals with poor interpersonal and communication skills, and those personalities who cannot cope or resolve conflict, are likely to be tested during extended periods of social isolation. Highly extroverted or introverted individuals are also likely to struggle, the former because of sudden loss of social contact, and the latter because of a possible rise of social contact at home. In any family or group living situation during lockdown or quarantine, the specific mix of personalities are likely to determine how conflict is addressed.
I am feeling relief, because I can see that my strange solitary days, in a hotel will end in 2 days. As I reflect, I feel this period of isolation has taught me some things about myself. In the first 2 days of quarantine, in typical fashion, I indulged myself, watching favourite television shows and movies and reading books. Although, it first helped me to become distracted, I soon start to feel bored and the days seemed long.
On day 3 of quarantine, I decide to set a structure my day, reminding myself that this is what I would recommend to my client(s). My daily routine now has 3 key goal-oriented activities, a stress management routine, an online-course, and social connection via on-line. My morning stress management routine, includes 30 minutes of daily meditation of breath work, followed by on-line class of physical exercise for an hour. From 9am onwards, I start on my on-line course, which allows me to focus on my learning new skills. In the late afternoon, I reach out to family and friends on-line, making sure that I talk about my mood and things that have been on my mind. I quickly notice, the days now pass more quickly. It is also interesting to notice, that I feel more present, and no longer pre-occupied about thoughts about quarantine.
So, what would I recommend in how to survive quarantine? Combining a daily routine consisting of stress management, goal-oriented activities that are meaningful and mentally stimulating, combined with daily interpersonal support. A daily structured routine is essential to keeping you healthy and mentally resilient.
6 March 2021
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Stephanie Lagos is a psychologist with over 25 years’ experience. She is passionate about helping couples and families stay together following conflict or infidelity. She assists adolescents and adults overcome a range of issues including grief, trauma, anxiety and depression. Stephanie works at the Chelsea and Cheltenham offices of Port Phillip Psychology.