Even if you're self-quarantined, here are some ways to use technology to still have a date. Buzz60

Need some tips on how to survive and thrive while you are physically cut off fromthe rest of the world?

Who better to turn to than astronauts?

Astronauts, who venture into the dark abyssofspace, know a thing or two about isolation, especially those who spend months aboard the International Space Station.

"COVID-19 gives us a very higher purpose, much like being in space does," retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson said on CBS This Morning on Monday. "Because we are saving lives by quarantining. And so it is important to understand that bigger purpose and to embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing to put up with the situation."

Heck, even before their space travel, astronauts are forced into quarantine a couple of weeks prior to launch to ensure they aren't contracting any illnesses before their trip.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain, who lived in space for over 200 days, offered some tips via Twitter of living in confined spaces.

"Twenty years of successful living and working on (the ISS) did not happen by accident. Through lessons learned, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and psychologist Dr. Al Holland examined what human behaviors create a healthy culture for living and working remotely in small groups," McClain said via Twitter.

"They narrowed it to five general skills and defined the associated behaviors for each skill. We, NASA astronauts now call them 'Expeditionary Behaviors,' and they are part of everything we do."

The five skills are:

Communication:McClain says the best way to communicate is to discuss intentions before taking action, using good terminology, being able to listen and admit when you're wrong.

Leadership/followership: Lead by example and be able to provide direction, feedback, coaching and encouragement. Instead of just pointing out problems, offer solutions.

Self-care:Assess one's own strengths and weaknesses and make sure to balance work, rest and personal time.

Team-care: Develop positive relationships through patience, respect and encouragement. Also, don't be afraid to accept and offer help, as well as sharing the credit and taking the blame.

Group living:Work as a team. Respect each other's roles, responsibilities and workload while taking accountability, giving praise and maintaining a positive team attitude.

"We are all astronauts on planet Earth together," McClain said. "We'll be successful in confinement if we are intentional about our actions and deliberate about caring for our teams."

NASA astronaut Anne McClain during her first spacewalk at the International Space Station on March 22.(Photo: NASA)

Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent nearly a year in space onboard the space station, also shared his tips on isolation via the New York Times.

According to Kelly, these are best tips to practice while being stuck in quarantine:

Follow a schedule: "You will find maintaining a plan will help you and your family adjust to ad different work and home life environment," Kell said in the article.

Pace yourself: "Take time for fun activities." Playing board games, watching TV, reading a book are all ways to help distract you from being stuck inside.

Go outside: Kelly recommends going for a daily walk to take a breath of fresh air during your quarantine schedule, but "just stay at least six feet away from others," he warns.

You need a hobby: Whether it's reading books, playing an instrument or making art, "you need an outlet that isn't work or maintaining your environment," Kelly said.

Keep a journal: Log each day of isolation. Kelly says it will help you put your experiences in perspective and when this is all over, be able to look back at this time in history and what it meant for you.

Take time to connect: Keep in touch with family and friends. Make sure they're doing OK during these troubling times. Staying in touch with loved ones can not only help your mental health, but also physical health.

Listen to experts: Heed the advice of the World Health Organization and the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

We are all connected: "As helpless as we may feel stuck inside our homes, there are always things we can do," Kell said. "I've seen humans work together to prevail over some of the toughest challenges imaginable, and I know we can prevail over this one if we all do our part and work together as a team."

Now more than ever, you need an independent news source working for you. Support local journalism and subscribe at floridatoday.com/specialoffer Florida Today

To provide our community with important public safety information, FLORIDA TODAY is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber atcm.floridatoday.com/specialoffer.

Contact Jaramillo at321-242-3668or antoniaj@floridatoday.com. Follow her onTwitterat@AntoniaJ_11.

Get the latest space news by becoming a subscriber.

NASA's Chris Cassidy and his two Russian crewmates have been taking precautions to stay germ-free before their April 9 launch to the International Space Station, frequently washing their hands and keeping a safe distance from others. (March 19) AP Domestic

Read or Share this story: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/03/23/nasa-astronauts-give-tips-handling-isolation-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/2897339001/

View post:

NASA astronauts give tips on handling isolation amid coronavirus outbreak - Florida Today