John McCain has described in detail what he did to survive his lockup and 2-year-long solitary confinement in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Vietnam war. Most important was his regular communication with other prisoners, even if was through tapping on a wall. In spite of the torture he was exposed to, he exercised regularly to maintain his physical health. He found that participating in a Sunday morning prayer service was also very helpful.
I recently heard Kerri Miller on public radio interview Will Steger, the Arctic explorer based in northern Minnesota. She asked him how he keeps happy and sane while being alone most of the time. He said that he needs to “stay in the rhythm” and take one step at a time, especially if he is fearful. His routine gives him something to look forward to each day, even if it is a meal, a good book, or a walk in the woods. His rhythm calms down his mind and helps his creativity flow.
For Will Steger rhythm and structure do more than combat depression – they provide the self-discipline that he needs to accomplish his goal of leading polar expeditions.
I have put some structure for my own time during this pandemic. I get up in the morning and go to sleep at night at about the same time each day. My meals are also at about the same time each day. After I am showered and dressed, I make the bed. My days are filled with a mix of leisure and progress towards meeting my own goals.
What is the single most important goal you are working on right now?
Would more of a structure of your time help you make faster progress?