This time seems weird to you. Right now, you may normally be on your commute home from campus, maybe you’d be on your way to meet up with some friends to de-stress from the day, or maybe you’d be at your rec sport, gearing up to play. Having all this time being spent at home can be stressful but there can be ways to take advantage. And, maybe you’ve already made some changes? You’ve started learning to cook things you’ve always wanted to try; you’ve finally cleaned out that closet that has been bugging you for months (or maybe years). Here’s a list of things we’ve compiled to help you with your health and wellness but may help you from going stir crazy.
1. Create a Routine: You’ve been hearing it constantly but creating a routine, either maintaining what you were already doing or creating a new one, is important right now. Your environment is, hopefully, ideal to start new routines since it’s an environment you are familiar with and there won’t be lots of surprises. Or maybe you want to add to an already existing routine? Maybe your concerned about the amount of time you are sitting? So maybe for every hour you sit, you do an exercise for 10 reps? Or for every x number of pages you read or write you do that many reps of an exercise. Add in some outdoor time with the people you are in self-isolation with. Going for a walk for 20 minutes gets you out of the confides of your apartment or home and can help clear your head.
2. Try Something New: Classes are going to be wrapping up soon and this could be a great opportunity to try something new. Learning new skills can help you with stress relief and keep your mind active. Take that leap and learn how to properly take care of indoor plants, or learn a language, or start writing. Whatever it is, this is an opportunity where you wouldn’t normally have the time. Also, try involving those around you! Create a call with friends where you meet to see where everyone has gotten in their new skills. This doesn’t only help with accountability if you think you might need it, but it helps you keep up social interactions.
3. Take Time for Self-Care: Are you drinking water? Having you been keeping up with your usual self-care routines? This is the great time to start journaling, practice gratitude, give yourself positive affirmations, and don’t feel guilty if things aren’t going how you expected them. We are all navigating in a situation that we are unfamiliar with and it’s important that you are taking care of yourself during this time. Try meditating, even if it is just for a few minutes. You don’t have to be perfect at it.
4. Create a Space Where You Work and Only Work: If you have a small apartment, this can be difficult but it is important so you don’t get stuck feeling like you’ve been working since you got up and start to burn out. Something as simple as having a different piece of furniture symbolizing a different ‘mode’ can make a big difference. If possible, avoid creating your work station where you would normally eat your meals. This is also an important time to remind yourself to be working undistracted. Put your phone in a different room or very out of reach while you are working.
Of course, you shouldn't feel like you're limiting yourself. Do the things that make you happy and that you feel like doing. If you really feel like sitting on the couch to watch Netflix, do that. You want to bake cookies because you always feel happy when you're baking, bake away. Don't put yourself down for doing things that are often considered 'bad'. But if you can, try and find ways to make those habits healthier. Maybe you only watch Netflix while you are exercising. Maybe you find a cookie recipe that has very little sugar and is vegan. There are so many possibilities!