COVID-19: How to Stay Sane in Quarantine

First of all, this whole situation took us all by a whirlwind, and it is a shock to adjust to. So much has changed for everyone regarding work, health, mental health, travel, living situation, and the economy. I just want to say that we are all in this together. We are all feeling these high emotions and shifts in our realities. Now is a great time to reflect and be thankful for your health, safety, and all of the things we take for granted in our day to day lives. I’m currently isolated pretty intensely because I am in the high-risk group, and I absolutely cannot catch Coronavirus. I love alone time, but I’ve never had to be in mandatory solitude, let alone for a lengthy amount of time. I sat down and put together a list of things I am doing during quarantine to make sure that I don’t lose my mind. These things can be done whether you are alone or have company. So far, I’ve found them all very helpful.

SCHEDULE YOUR DAY OUT

Scheduling your day out can make things feel a little more normal. I usually do my schedule in one-hour blocks. This helps a lot with working from home. I even schedule in breaks, dinner, etc. It helps me feel like I have some structure in all of this. I don’t always follow it to a tee, but it’s nice to reference and make sure I’m staying on track.

EVERY FEW DAYS, GET READY

I feel like it helps to feel good about your appearance when you pass a mirror after you've been home for an extended period. Every time I've had to stay home for a week or so, I've done makeup at some point out of boredom, and it always made me feel a little better. Take the time to do your get-ready routine or put on a cute lounge outfit every couple of days.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

I am using this time to come out of quarantine better than I came in. I isolated myself at home last August while healing from a heartbreak, and I became addicted to iTunesU, Masterclass, and Audible. iTunesU is a free app from Apple that allows you to take courses from universities around the world. I’ve taken a handful of courses from Stanford, Yale, and Harvard. They provide video and audio of each lecture, keynotes, and online resources. It’s fantastic. Masterclass is a more palatable version of that. They have people who are the best in their craft, i.e., CEO of Disney, Anna Wintour, Natalie Portman, etc. teach you lessons from courses they created. Audible is an excellent tool for getting through books quickly. It’s also an open library that you can access without leaving your home. I’ve read/listened to 14 books in the past two months. I love to continually learn and absorb new information on things I’m interested in. It’s actually really fun when it’s on your own terms.

MAKING YOUR BED MAKES A DIFFERENCE 

Keep your space clean. This is crucial! Not only hygienically but for mental health. Making your bed and keeping things neat while you're stuck in one area will significantly improve your quality of life. Now is an excellent time to organize too! Rearrange your room if you want to switch things up. Open your windows and get some fresh air. Utilize your balcony if you have one!

HOBBY HOP 

How rare is it for our generation to actually pick up a hobby? We never have the time, and if we do, we feel guilty using it. Right now, you have all of the permission in the world to get creative and try some new things out. If you have paint at home, make something cool. Painting is a great outlet for anxiety. Draw, sketch, color. Write. Even if it’s just free writing. If you have a sewing machine, get it out and make something new from an old t-shirt. Get crafty!

FACETIME DATES AND HOUSEHOLD MOVIE NIGHTS

 Quarantine doesn't mean you have to be anti-social! Facetime your friends and family every day. Check in with them, chat, distract each other. It's good to get some laughs in. If you are quarantined with others, have a movie night, or play board games! I suggest playing We're Not Really Strangers if you have it. We can bond with each other during tough times.

ALLLLL OF THE SELF CARE 

You already know. Hot baths, face masks, hair masks, skincare routines, clean sheets, weighted blankets, soft clothes. Everything comforting. Meditation is a great tool right now. A lot of apps have guided meditations you can put on while you lay down. Candles and familiar smells are soothing. Take time to check in with yourself. Anxiety levels are high, so be mindful of how you are feeling and adjust accordingly.

GET MOVING 

Move. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing yoga, pilates, circuit routines, jump rope, or dancing. Get moving and get your endorphins flowing. My friends and I love Blogilates on Youtube, she posts my favorite at-home workouts. Why not walk out of quarantine with a better butt lol? I’m working out and jumping around at least once a day. I play my old favorite songs and have dance parties with myself lol. Raises the spirits! 

Hopefully these tips can help you navigate a little easier through these complex times. If you’ve found other things that work for you, share it with me! Remember that we are all going through similar things and you aren’t alone.