How to Make the Best of Your Quarantine and Mental Health

Quarantine is a scary word, one that comes with the idea of danger and well, that may stress us out. Among that, there is an economic crisis, a lapse in education, and a potential temporary termination of your job.

But, I wonder if quarantine can be a good word?

A word that makes us think of a tropical getaway- just on your back patio, or a concert for your favorite band that only you get to attend-obviously, in your living room.

Although, we cannot make light of the current situation outside of our homes, we do suddenly have the unusual benefits of a mandatory stay-cation. I wonder how we can use that to our advantage and help keep us going strong with our self-care routines we always swear we are going to get around to.

Lucky for you, you now have the time!

Being seemly trapped inside your home can feel daunting so we are here to help you out by providing you with some tips on how to stay busy and keep your mind healthy in this temporary state of social distancing.

One of my favorite ideas to keep the mind positive, body flowing, and heart happy is to do something as simple as holding yourself accountable. Creating a routine is a perfect way to get that done. When your job temporarily closes or you are forced to work from home, your everyday “normal” is a little out of the ordinary. It may be boring and tough to find the motivation to be productive. By creating a new routine, you are able to hold yourself accountable and get some things done. By keeping busy and adding time into your day specifically designated to being outside or exercising, you can decrease any anxiety you may be feeling about being pent up.

If you need help creating a routine, here are some ideas to help you out:

1. Set a wake up time. It doesn’t have to be as early as your typical work day but make it reasonable to allow yourself time to eat three meals a day… because how often do we really get that opportunity? Start with skin care, coffee, breakfast, making your bed, and getting changed out of your pajamas.

2. Allocate some time for your brain. Even if you are not in school right now, reading a book or doing a puzzle with your kids can be something fun for all. Things to do can include reading online lectures, doing homework or studying, catching up on deadlines for work, reading for pleasure, or playing games that engage the mind.

3. Spend some time outside. Whether you have a patio or a backyard, give yourself an opportunity to (safely) enjoy the fresh air. Examples of outdoor activates can be sunbathing, gardening or taking the dog on a long walk.

4. Lunch time!

5. Do something for your body. Just because you cannot go to the gym, it does not mean you should stop your weekly exercise, no matter how much you may want to. Due to the closure of gyms, there are a bunch of online based workout classes are being offered for free. Good ways to be active inside your home include yoga, HIIT, treadmill, stationary bike, Zumba, or lifting weights.

6. Include something fun. You’ve worked hard so far! Make sure you are adding in something you enjoy doing to keep your spirits up and your heart in the routine. Either continuing an existing hobby is a good idea for this time frame or maybe even taking up a new one. Things you can try include painting, baking, or crafting.

7. Follow it up with something productive. There is never a day where there is no need for a little tidying up. Ideas for being productive can be as simple as doing the dishes or folding laundry to as rigorous as rearranging your closet and donating old clothes. It’s also important to be sanitizing, especially if someone in your household has to leave regularly. Clorox wipes to the rescue, am I right?

8. Dinner time!

9. Wind down for the night. You have put in a lot of work today, hang out! This can include board games with the family or roommates, Netflix or your favorite reality TV show, journal, or even just sending out a quick phone call to your friends or relatives that you are not able to see right now.

10. Finally, time to shower, get ready for bed, and enjoy a nice nights’ sleep.

Obviously, there are plenty of ways to keep your mind and spirit busy during this time that I have not listed above. I encourage you to explore what works for you and what engages your own interests. We aren’t often faced with the opportunity to save the human race by simply staying home- make it worth something to you and everyone else!