Keeping Busy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Schools, restaurants, gyms and most other public places are closed. Large events have been cancelled, and many people are even working from home. It seems the novel coronavirus is forcing a mandatory, unanticipated, extended staycation upon all of us. Health and government officials have advised us all to practice social isolation and self-quarantining. Such measures have been advised in hopes of flattening the curve, lessening the number of those infected and therefore the spread of this fatal virus.
For many of us, perhaps the pure thought alone of staying home is enough to cause feelings of boredom and stir craziness. What can you do to keep busy aside from binging your favorite shows on Netflix? Here are some ideas!
Enjoy time at home with family and loved ones. With today’s fast-paced society, it seems we are always on the go and rarely get to just sit down and enjoy each other’s company. This is a perfect time to get in quality facetime…and no, not the facetime that necessarily involves the use of your phone. This means eating meals together at the table instead of in front of the television or on the go. Get the group involved in some fun activities include playing a board game, cards, or completing a puzzle. If you have toddlers at home, check out this great resource for indoor activities for children (https://busytoddler.com/2020/03/indoor-activities/). Have your children make their favorite dinners or perhaps have them to help prepare your meals.
Pick up an old (or new!) hobby: Whether painting a picture, knitting a blanket, or practicing an old instrument that has been collecting dust in the closet, find a project and get your creative juices flowing. Pick up some of those books that have been sitting on your bookshelf and dive in. Use some of the ingredients you have on hand to create a special or new recipe in the kitchen. Be sure to fill your body with lots of fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy immune system. Next time someone asks you “what do you enjoy doing in your free time?”, you will have an answer!
Take Care of Yourself: Don’t let your self-care go by the wayside and be sure to schedule time for yourself. Take time to journal or meditate, even if just for a few minutes. Here are some helpful tools to help you sneak in some mindfulness during this stressful time:
Apps:
Headspace
Insight Timer
Calm
Podcasts:
Meditation Minis with Chel Hamilton
Meditation Oasis
Keep in mind that your exercise routine does not need to disappear while you are at home. Any amount of physical activity is beneficial, from sneaking in some extra trips upstairs or doing planks during television commercial breaks. For those of you fortunate enough to have treadmills, weights or other exercise equipment at home, schedule time in your day for some movement. There is nothing stopping you from getting outside for a quick walk or run. It is best to avoid exercising with friends or neighbors although if you do so, it is advisable to maintain a distance of six feet.
Other resources:
Corepower yoga (https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice) is offering free classes on demand
Melissa Wood Health (www.Melissawoodhealth.com) is offering a free 7 day trial including a variety of classes depending on your preferences. She also has many free videos on her YouTube site https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd-M8iMVPXC9qE-4s8B9law.
Tight on time? Download the app 7M workout for a variety of quick, 7 minute workouts from Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions. https://7minuteworkout.jnj.com/
If your company has allowed you to work remotely, try to get up and move before or after your conference calls- 20 squats or 20 jumping jacks every hour adds up! If nothing else, take time to stretch and work on your flexibility.
Other ideas for self-care?
Journaling, starting with a list of those things for which you are grateful.Try a new face mask or paint your nails.
Catch up on some sleep:
Most adults need between 7-9 hours per night. Making sure we consistently get a good night sleep has multiple health benefits, including improving our immunity and keep our systems strong to defend us against various viruses and diseases.
Get a jump start on spring cleaning!
Scrub your floors, clean your bathroom, compile clothes to donate to those in need. This is also a great time to catch up on odds and ends around the house. Perhaps you want to commit yourself to cleaning one room or area in your house each day!
Other tips:
Be sure to check in on loved ones, especially the elderly and those that live alone. Social distancing does not mean being antisocial!
Consider supporting your local businesses through purchasing a gift card or via online shopping.
It is important to stay up to date on the latest news and recommendations but also take time to turn the television and your phone off.