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Prepared to live isolated on Mars and shares 9 tips for quarantining COVID-19

Recalling a tip he was given by a colleague who worked on submarines, Romain Charles indicates that it is important to keep your mind and body occupied with some activity. In times of isolation, inactivity opens the door to negative or even destructive types of thinking. Creating a routine of activities and including things you have never tried before, such as learning a new skill, can help. In order not to lose the thread, you can also keep a calendar or agenda with all the projects you want to do.

Speak easy, make difficult, admits Romain Charles. Thinking too much about isolation and the circumstances surrounding it is not a good idea at all. The astronaut reveals that this type of thinking can lead to people becoming more impatient and morose. Taking one day at a time is the best way to face life in isolation.

  • Maintain similar routines as you had in normal life

In order not to lose contact with those around you, even if they are at a distance, it is necessary to keep some of the habits he had before life in isolation, such as waking up and going to bed at the same hours.

Romain Charles indicates that, after some time in isolation, the days start to look the same. A, it is necessary to break the monotony and bet on activities that keep you entertained and that give you some energy. For example, during the Mars 500 mission, the astronaut decided to free the artist himself and try on various beard styles.

  • Keep in touch with the people you care about most

Even at a distance, technology allows you to keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues. Even in isolation, Romain Charles and the rest of the team received messages of support from abroad and kept in touch with the family as much as possible.

  • Spend the accumulated energy

It is true that isolation can leave people a little frustrated, but it is a good way to get rid of negativity and spend energy: whether it be exercising at home, learning to play a musical instrument or putting your gamer skills to the test.

If you are spending the period of isolation with your family, it is normal for some tensions to arise: different personalities after all. To avoid conflict situations, Romain Charles recommends keeping communication very present and trying to reach compromises.

  • When it's all over, expect the unexpected

Flight engineer ESA recalls that, when the 520-day isolation ended, there were several aspects of life considered everyday that surprised him: from the pleasure of being able to enjoy a meal with fresh food and being able to watch the sunrise.