With quarantine and shelter-in-place procedures in place all around us, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken over so many aspects of daily life. Most of us have never lived under these types of conditions before and have become consumed with stress and anxiety over the uncertain future.
To help you stay healthy and sane during quarantine procedures, here are a few tips to remember and try from the safety of your home.
Follow Your Local Guidelines
Not only do quarantine procedures and safety recommendations vary from state to state, but they also change daily and weekly. Keep up with local news to understand how COVID-19 is affecting people in your area and follow government regulations even if you don’t feel sick to keep other people safe.
Take Some Time to Plan Rationally
The coronavirus pandemic has led many people to panic and stockpile supplies that they don’t really want or need. This is making life harder for people in the community who really do need those items, so try to think of others in addition to thinking about your own needs. During times of ongoing crisis, it’s important to not jump to quick decisions or act without thinking things through. Set aside some time to plan ahead for how your children will receive an education while schools are closed, how you will support yourself financially if you’ve been temporarily laid off, and what you really need in terms of supplies.
Connect with Loved Ones in Different Ways
While you may not be able to safely go over to your friends’ houses or take that cross-country drive to visit your extended family, this is still an ideal time to connect with people you care about. Video conferencing apps are more popular than ever before right now, so jump on-board this trend and schedule a call with people you miss seeing in-person.
Get Outside in Safe Ways
Just because you’re under quarantine doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a little fresh air and sunshine. It is generally recommended that people avoid crowded parks and trailheads. But you can still get outside safely by spending time in your yard or even the rooftop of your apartment building. This is a good time to start a backyard organic garden, build a small personal hiking trail around your property, pull weeds in the driveway, or simply sit on the porch to read a good book.
Restrict Your News and Social Media Exposure
If you follow every virus-related news story and social media feed, it’s practically impossible to stay sane during this challenging time. Set aside a designated block of time daily to keep up with relevant and reliable news about the issue but don’t overdo it. Also, do your best to not start your day or end your day reading in bed about COVID-19 updates.
Do a Good Deed
Lots of people could use a helping hand right now so think about how you can help others as a way to offset your own worries about the state of the world. This may involve making a donation to a nonprofit who is helping in the relief effort, dropping off supplies to an animal shelter in your area, or delivering takeout food or groceries for an elderly neighbor who can’t safely leave the house.
Focus on a Hobby
With more time at home, this is also an ideal time to focus on hobbies and activities that promote a more natural lifestyle. Consider cooking meals with whole foods and natural ingredients to boost your family’s immune system. You can also spend some time reading about natural health practices for staying healthy all year long. Practicing a new musical instrument, starting a new home renovation project, learning to sew, and doing craft projects with your kids are all fun ways to pass the time when you’re stuck at home, especially on weekends. However, don’t stress out too much about your productivity during this challenging time and allow yourself plenty of time to simply relax and veg out with your favorite TV shows too.