If you have recurrent thoughts of harming yourself, you need to receive therapy or other psychological treatment. Therapists are typically trained to deal with suicidal thoughts, and can serve as a crucial support to you. If you do not currently have a therapist, contact your health insurance provider for a list of approved clinicians or conduct a local search for low-cost, sliding scale, or free mental health clinics. Social support is crucial to coping with suicidal thoughts. This is because not having social support can result in depression and increased thoughts of suicide. If you have family or other loved ones you can turn to, do so. If you don't feel like you have anyone, your therapist can be that support system while she helps you build a support network for yourself.  Talk about your thoughts to whoever you find comfortable talking about it with. If you don't feel like you have anyone, call your therapist or a service such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). Tell others about your safety plan so they can be involved and ready to help you if you need assistance.  Healthy relationships should not include being repeatedly insulted, berated, picked on, or injured.  If you have a relationship that is abusive, get help now. A healthy support system includes a variety of people you can turn to for support and help, including friends, family, teachers, counselors, doctors, mental health professionals, and hotlines. Medication, especially antidepressants, can be used to treat the depressive symptoms that often coincide with thoughts of suicide. However, be aware that taking some antidepressants and other medications may actually increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Always discuss side effects and risks with your doctor before taking any medication, prescribed or otherwise.  Ask your mental health professional about antidepressants, or other medications to treat suicidal thoughts and behaviors. If you do not have a doctor or psychiatrist, contact your health insurance provider or go to a low-cost health clinic in your area.

Summary: Get psychological treatment. Maintain or develop a healthy support system. Consider medication.


The Latin name for this species, Atypidae, denotes the atypical appearance of the spider—when viewed from the top, the spider looks somewhat asymmetrical.

Summary: Look for a shiny, black body with no visible markings. Observe the chelicerae; it will be over-sized. Notice the legs, which are sprawling.


You probably already have an unscented candle at home but if not, you can find one at stores that sell home furnishings. Purchase the scented fragrance oil at a candle shop so you can smell several options. Fragrance oils are simply a synthetically created smell. Many perfumes are created using fragrance oils because the scent options are plentiful. It is also an inexpensive way to add scent to candles. Oils can be purchased at most major retailers that sell home décor or candle products. Let it burn for several minutes or until about an inch-deep pool of melted wax has accumulated around the wick. Once this happens, blow the candle out. Use an eye-dropper to add a few drops of fragrance oil into the hot pool of melted wax. About 3-4 drops should be enough to create a nice, light scent. However, if you want a richer scent, add several more drops. Every bottle of fragrance oil is a little different so read the instructions for best results. The bottle will offer insights into how concentrated your particular oil is. Use a toothpick or other small instrument to mix the wax and oil. Start with small circles close to the wick and work your way to the outer edges. Be as thorough as you can to create an even distribution of oil. Mix slowly to avoid making a mess or splattering hot wax onto your hands. You can create a unique scent by adding two oils. Consider combinations like vanilla and rose or lavender and pine. Wait for the wax to cool and harden completely. This will take several minutes. Doing this will allow the oil to settle into the wax and really absorb, which will further enhance the scent. When ready, relight your candle. Within seconds, you will be able to smell the scent you’ve added. After several minutes, the smell will fill the room.  If you are unhappy with the potency of the scent, make note of how many drops you added and increase the number for the next time. If you can’t smell anything at all, blow the candle out again and repeat the steps of adding drops to the wax, mixing, allowing it to cool and relighting.

Summary: Gather materials. Buy fragrance oil. Light the candle. Add fragrance oil. Stir the wax. Let the wax cool. Light the candle.


Playing games is a fun way to pass the time with loved ones when you can’t go anywhere. Unwind together with classics like Clue, Monopoly, or Battleship, or try a more contemporary game like Grand Museum of Art, Cards Against Humanity, or Escape from Iron Gate. If you’re not into boardgames, try playing cards or putting together a puzzle. You can also get active with a game like Twister or Charades! When you can’t go out, video games offer an alternative form of escape. Plunge yourself into an immersive fantasy world with Skyrim or Final Fantasy, or build your own little paradise with Animal Crossing: New Horizons.  If you’re living with family or roommates, get a friendly competition going with a game of Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart. Play an MMORPG like World of Warcraft to hang out with friends online. A pandemic-enforced staycation is the perfect opportunity to finish up an art project or pick up some new hobbies. Create a painting, take an online knitting class, or order a calligraphy set online and start doing some beautiful lettering!  If art supply stores aren’t open in your area, hop online and have some delivered. Some arts and crafts stores offer curbside pickup so you can get your supplies without having to go inside. However, this service may not be available everywhere, so check with your local stores. Browse Pinterest or your favorite arts and crafts blog for project ideas and inspirations! If you’re musically inclined, playing music and dancing are great ways to express yourself and get your body moving while you’re staying home. Break out some instruments or crank up a quarantine playlist on YouTube and start grooving! If you like to dance with a partner, have a romantic living room date with your significant other. Dress up a little, dim the lights, and do some ballroom dancing.
Summary: Break out the boardgames if you live with other people. Have a video game day so you can explore a virtual world. Do some crafts if you’re the artsy type. Start a jam session or dance party in your living room to blow off steam.