Tips to Survive Coronavirus Self-Quarantine

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken over the globe and countries are implementing preventive measures to slow down the massive spread. As a result, people are finding themselves confined to their homes and social distancing is more prevalent than ever. Is there more to do than binge-watch shows and lay on the couch all day? Here are a few ideas you may find helpful.

Get into a Routine

Getting ready for the day is one easy one to kickstart your new at-home routine. Sounds easy, right? Working remotely or having time off from work at home may be ideal for the first few days. You may get that extra hour of sleep. Your commute is just a few steps away. You eat what you want when you want. Watch whatever you want. Lounge in your PJs all day. That new routine will get old, really fast.

You will begin to see a change in your mood as each day passes. As you would get up and dressed to leave your house, you need to do the same indoors.

Practice New Habits

During this time anxiety is at an all-time high. You're worried about several factors in regard to the virus from how it affects your family/friends, finances, and ultimately the future. New habits to try are as simple as self-care and meditation. Self-care can be in the form of a bubble bath, watching your favorite show, starting a journal, calling a friend or relative, a social media detox, or even taking a nap. Meditation can easily be integrated into your daily routine as well. Need help getting started? Head to the internet for guided videos.

Stay Active and Eat Right

Being at home all day, every day may seem like an impossible feat to stay active and eat healthily. It's easy to fall into a slump of just not having enough energy to work out, to eat all the things, or simply just not doing anything at all.

While you may leave to get some fresh air or to restock on essentials, you'll be surprised at how much cooking you can get done to not just feed yourself, but your family as well. Yes, this means limiting your takeout. Shop your pantry, cook that new recipe you've been wanting to try, and remember to keep eating health. This is also a great time to get kids involved.

At-home workouts are a dime a dozen, and many are free. There are a variety of videos from cardio and strength training to yoga that you can watch online. There are also many influencers providing instant live sessions.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

You're not alone in this pandemic. People across the globe are self-quarantined just like you are. This is such a unique time we are in to not only connect with your usual friends and family on your social networks, but to interact with people around the world. This is as simple as sharing music and dancing videos or stories of how you're coping. Human interaction doesn't have to end because of social distancing. Social media has made it possible to network with others with the touch of a button without even leaving your home.

Make the Most of Your "Free Time"

There's a lot to learn on a variety of topics, so now is the perfect time to catch up on those documentaries/docuseries you saved on your DVR or streaming service. Don't forget about podcasts and the book list you created.

Another option is to get a head start on your Spring cleaning. For starters, deep clean and disinfecting those high traffic areas. Declutter your closet, take inventory of what's in your pantry, paint that room, and organize those junk drawers. Depending on how much time you have, you can delegate each day to cleaning a certain area or rotate around your home daily in increments of 15-20 minutes.

Get Creative

Your plans may have come to a screeching halt, but you can still recreate those moments indoors. Had a birthday party planned? Enjoy your party, cake and all. Use a video chat app and invite your friends to join in on the fun. Stuck at home with family and want to switch up your daily dinners? Choose a theme for the night and create a meal around it. Tired of seeing everyone in PJs, dress up as if it were a formal dinner. Think outside the box!

With so much information being released daily, it can be difficult to keep up with it all and sift through what is and what is not credible. Be mindful of the news you read and watch as sources vary. The tips above will help you not only make the most of your time, but distract you from everyday boredom and stress you may have been experiencing. For regular updates on the Coronavirus, visit the CDC.gov.