This COVID-19 has forced us all to stay locked indoors, maintain social distancing to prevent spreading of this novel coronavirus. But staying stuck indoors felt okay only in the first few days. Now it feels suffocating while making us feel more anxious than ever.
But if there's anyone who's truly conquered living in isolation like no other on this planet, it's astronauts who've travelled to and lived on the International Space Station.
This Coronavirus lockdown is a good time to marvel at just how astronauts stay for months on the International Space Station, away from family, social life, surviving and living inside a vessel? They¡¯ve shared some advice for people to get through the dreadful feeling of feeling isolated.
Scott Kelly, NASA astronaut who spent nearly a year on the ISS suggests that people staying in self-quarantine at home should follow a particular routine to bring a sense of normalcy in these rather unusual times.
He said, in a statement to the New York Times, ¡°One of the side effects of seeing Earth from the perspective of space, at least for me, is feeling more compassion for others. As helpless as we may feel stuck inside our homes, there are always things we can do.¡±
He also emphasised that too much work can be harmful, and it's important to pace yourself, "Take time for fun activities: I met up with crewmates for movie nights, complete with snacks, and binge-watched all of '"Game of Thrones'" ¡ª twice."?
Anne McClain from NASA also suggested five skills that help keep isolated groups functioning in a healthy way, in a post.??
Communication -- sharing your thoughts clearly and listening and understanding other¡¯s opinions/views.
Leadership -- Setting goals, understanding your responsibility.
Self-care -- keep a track of your psychological and physical status, assess strength and weaknesses.?
Team care -- Taking care of the group¡¯s physical and psychological status, being patient.
Group living -- Removing competition out of the equation, dealing with conflicts in a calm manner, respecting roles etc.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield also mentioned the fact that if astronauts on the ISS can learn how to be productive under extremely dangerous and stressful circumstances, people on Earth can too.?
Astronaut Peggy Whitson, in a conversation with CBS This Morning made people understand that staying in self-isolation has a higher purpose. She said,?"Recognizing that the team purpose is the most important, COVID-19 gives us a very higher purpose, much like space does. We are saving lives by quarantining. It is important to understand that bigger purpose and to embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing putting up with the situation."
She further added, "So much of our lives these days is busy and cluttered. What are the things you would do if you had more time?" she said. "What is it that has been the thing that's been in the back of your head that, 'I've wanted to try and do this, but I didn't have time'?"