Social distancing has been tough for everyone. We’re all living in some pretty uncertain times and we are being faced with challenges that we’ve never experienced before. But, if we can take away one positive thing from all of this chaos, it is the fact that quarantine is giving us a chance to step back and rethink our priorities. Very rarely, if ever, do we get a chance to reflect on life so deeply and look at the bigger picture. So amidst all of the chaos going on, think of this quarantine as a time to work on yourself; a life reset. Think of what you want for yourself once all of this over and let that be the force that guides you.
We came up with some ideas for how you can allocate your time during this quarantine:
- Rest – A given, but truly take this time to rest your mind, body, and soul. We are always wishing for that one extra day to just relax and be at peace. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of it. Think of what helps you feel at ease and do that. You will come out of quarantine more rejuvenated and ready to resume your normal, everyday life.
- Journal – Even if you’ve never done it before, just give it a try. You’d be surprised how much it helps. The mind is a messy place and getting your thoughts down on paper (even if they don’t make much sense at all) can help declutter your mind a little bit. If you truly don’t know what to write, start by jotting down a few things you’re grateful for. Regardless of how bad things may get, you still have control over your thoughts and there’s always something to be grateful for. When you express gratitude for all the things you do still have, you’re automatically shifting your mindset into a state of abundance. You’re making room and allowing good things to come into your life.
- Clean – Cleaning can be incredibly therapeutic, and if you’re doing any sort of work from home, this is especially important. Having a clean space will allow you to think more clearly and put you in a happier state of mind.
- Limit your news consumption – It’s always good to be informed, but sometimes it does more harm than good. If you always have the tv turned on and you notice that it brings you a feeling of anxiety, consider limiting your consumption to 20 or so minutes per day, or stop altogether. If something changes with the current situation and we’re able to resume to normal life again, you will definitely get the memo. Your mental health comes first.
- Check off that one task that’s been on your to-do list forever – We all have a list of things we’d like to get done in our free time, but there’s almost always something more important that needs to get done first. And we usually never get to it. Block off some time to complete a task that you’ve been meaning to get to and just do it. You will feel so much more accomplished afterward and it will give you the momentum you need to check off more things from the list.
- Read a new book – Reading benefits both mental and physical health. It can help you relax and escape to a new reality for a little while, which is something we all need these days.
- Develop a new skill or take on a new hobby – Now is the perfect time to buckle down and improve your skills. Everybody is inside anyway, so you won’t be missing much. As for hobbies, you may be limited, but there are plenty of things you can do from the comfort of your own home. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new language or improve your coding skills. Now is the time to do that. There are a ton of free resources out there, whether it be YouTube videos, blogs, forums, online courses, etc. If you have the ability to work from home, you can use the time you would’ve spent commuting to and from work to sharpen your skills.
- FaceTime a friend or family member – Social interaction is really important for human beings and right now it’s pretty limited. Don’t be afraid to call someone up. You’d be surprised how much it can lift your mood. It could also be doing a huge service to the other person as well because anxiety and depression are at an all-time high right now. It never hurts to check up on somebody and let them know that you are thinking of them.
- Don’t forget about self care – Self care is something we should be doing every once in a while anyway, but it could benefit you immensely during this time, especially. Find out what it is that puts your mind at ease and do that. By becoming a better version of yourself, you can also be of greater service to those around you as well.
- Listen to a podcast – Podcasts are a really good way to pass time and learn something new. Think of what interests you and try to find some podcasts that resonate with you. There’s an unlimited number of them for every niche and interest.
Hopefully these tips gave you some inspiration and new ideas for how you can pass the time during quarantine. Just remember, we’re all going through the same thing and eventually this too will pass. The best thing you can do right now is stay optimistic and structure your days in a way that prioritizes your mental health. That way, you will come out of this stronger and more inspired.