Social distancing has become our new normal, for now. With so much time spent at home, we have to get creative with our meals, activities, workouts, and yes, even our social lives. While binging the next new Netflix show can be fun, there’s only so much time we can spend tied to the couch.
With restaurants, movie theaters, schools, and even bars closed, you need plenty of new distractions. Below, we put together a guide to help you navigate these weird times and help you stay positive (and stay home!).
It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of each day, but it’s still a good idea to create daily schedules and goals for yourself, even if they are small. Try scheduling some of these into each day, or as you can:
Get up from the couch or your desk, move around, water your plants, touch your toes, or put in a load of laundry. Whatever activity you choose, get you on your feet at least once an hour if you can.
Try to spend at least 10-20 minutes each day outside. Whether it’s in your backyard, on your balcony, or by taking a walk around the block, it’s easy to achieve.
Especially if it’s just you or just you and one other person, it’s important to schedule phone calls or video calls. Don’t just rely on social media to connect with friends and family, hearing voices and seeing faces is important, too!
Whether you’re able to work from home or not, it’s easy for hours to blend together when you’re not on your normal daily routine. If you must, set calendar reminders for your meals and breaks so you remember to take some time away from work, classes, or anything else you’re working on.
Visits to the grocery store need to be limited, so at the end of the week it can be hard to come up with a meal that satisfies everyone in your home, even if it’s just you.
Here are a few ideas for getting creative in the kitchen and while you enjoy your meal:
Services like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron deliver all the ingredients and instructions you need to make a healthy, delicious meal. All you need to provide are the cooking utensils. Plus, you get to learn new recipes and skills in the kitchen.
This one may require a little creativity, but with apps and sites like Fridge to Table you can add all the ingredients you have at hand and it will generate recipes that include those ingredients. You can also search online for simple recipes that don’t require too many ingredients.
If you have lots of recipes saved on Facebook or Pinterest, you finally have some time to try it out! Make something that takes all day to prepare, or even a dish that can be enjoyed for days to come. You can also freeze portions of items like soup and chili, which can be great to have for those days you just don’t feel like cooking.
When you do get to the grocery store, it can be tempting to stock up on non-perishables and boxed or frozen foods. While it is important to have those handy, don’t neglect the fresh produce! It’s important to keep those in your diet and they make great, healthy snacks.
If the frozen food selection is looking a little picked over, you can always cut, wash, and freeze your own fresh produce to save for later.
Many of the local and independent restaurants are hurting right now, but there are a few ways you can support them. While you cannot dine in, you can order for delivery from many locations, arrange to pick it up yourself, or even purchase a gift certificate now to use later! Some local businesses are even offering fresh produce or pantry items for purchase. Take a look at their websites and social media accounts to see what they are doing to stay in business. Don’t forget to tip however much you can, we’re all in this together and have to support our local businesses and their employees.
Do you usually go out to eat with friends or visit family for dinner once a week? That doesn’t have to stop! With FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Google Hangout, and more, there are tons of options for you to stay connected and enjoy a nice meal together, even if you’re sitting in your own living rooms. Try to schedule one or two dinners a week so that you have something to look forward to.
Now is the most important time to keep your immune system and mind as clear as ever, and even a 20-30 minute workout each day can make a huge difference. Lots of workout apps are offering free trials, plus fitness influencers have started to post their workouts live or on their social media accounts. You can also use YouTube to find workout videos. Even if you don’t have any weights or equipment, there is so much you can do with your own body to stay healthy.
If you have neighbors who live close by, consider planning a daily workout where everyone joins from their front yard or a safe six-foot or more distance from each other.
Yes, you can go outside, but be sure to follow the six-foot distance rule. Parks and beaches may not be open, but there is nothing wrong with taking a stroll or jog around your neighborhood or finding a quiet, secluded place to sit in the sun.
With so much new and modern technology at our hands, the need to visit a bookstore or library is pretty much non-existent. Download audible books for a hands-off experience, e-books to read while spending all your time on your couch, or even create a virtual book club with friends! Now is a great time to dust off that book on your shelf that you just haven’t had the time to pick up and enjoy.
You definitely don’t need to feel alone during this time, so bring on the video chats! Aside from eating together, you can talk, have virtual dance parties, cook, or even play virtual games together. Anything goes while connecting through the phone and internet, so get creative.
With everything going on, it’s normal to feel a little on edge. Life is slowing down for some, but anxiety and stress levels are inevitable for many. Time to empty your mind, seclude yourself, listen to a relaxing podcast, hydrate, and chill out. We all need it.
Remember making mixed tapes and burning CDs? Even though that art form is no longer commonly practiced, you can still curate and share playlists on apps like Spotify or Apple Music. Encourage your friends and family to do the same, and don’t forget to support local or new artists.
Lots of universities and companies are offering free online classes right now, or you can sign up for a class you’ve been wanting to take.
And, for existing or aspiring real estate agents, you can take continuing education classes, check in with our head trainer Sam Guillen or The Agent Edge on Instagram, or sign up for our real estate school!
Whether you’ve been putting off something that needs fixing in your home, or simply want to take on a new project, this is the perfect time to do it. Get out your toolkit and get to work. It will feel great to check some things off your to-do list, plus keeping your hands busy will also keep your mind busy.
Time to get competitive! Search your garage for the classics: Monopoly, The Game of Life, Scrabble, heck, even a memory card fun game with the kids could be fun. Don’t have any more board games? There are tons of apps like Heads Up or Jackbox that can be played on your phone or computer.
You know what we’re referring to: those dreaded taxes, reports you’ve been avoiding, or finally taking your business idea to the next level. While it’s okay to not be productive during every moment of your time at home, you may thank yourself later for checking off some of these pesky to-do’s once businesses and public spaces have reopened.
Remember that these are uncertain times, and everyone is taking it one day at a time together. You don’t have to always be productive, it’s okay to take a moment for yourself and your family to wind down.
Do an at-home manicure/pedicure, apply a face mask, light some candles, and just breathe.
When we’re forced to be inside, we can really get creative and there is plenty to do for everyone! What will you do first? Whatever you decide to do, remember to keep calm and stay safe.
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March 25th, 2020 at 3:30 pm