In a few short months, COVID-19 has spread all over the world, causing a ripple effect and changing people’s lives. In order to flatten the curve, many people are adhering to the CDC’s recommendations by staying at home and self-quarantining to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. I’ve compiled a list of ways to cope with the quarantine based on my own struggles adjusting to the situation around the world as well as moving back home to do online classes and work.
- Make a Schedule
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Going from having a schedule to having so much free time, or what seems like it, is great at first, but can lead to a disorganized work life. Take out the bullet journal or agenda you never filled out and start making a schedule, write down assignment and exam deadlines, and keep track of when you have meetings via Zoom or another outlet. This will help you keep your study schedule in check and keep your grades steady as you adjust to remote learning and staying in quarantine during this pandemic.
- Zoom with your Friends
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As an extrovert, the quarantine has caused me to become lethargic, and any planned phone calls feel like an effort. Even though it feels like an effort when your sleep and study schedules are thrown off by moving back home until the next school year, being able to talk to your friends will make you feel so much better. I have found that talking to my friends at least once a week over Zoom has made me feel way better. We may not be able to see our friends in person, but laughing with them and getting introduced to their pets over Zoom gives us a chance to socialize and reconnect.
- Read a Book
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While we still have work to do during this quarantine, we also have a lot more free time on our hands. We aren’t going out for coffee, road trips, or on Saturday night adventures, so it leaves us time to do other things. Although catching up on a TV series and new Netflix Originals is inviting, we never seem to have enough time to read a book. In between online classes and binging Netflix shows, take some time to really get lost in a book. If you don’t have enough unread books at home, download some from Amazon and read away. I highly recommend The Female Persuasion, Where the Crawdads Sing, and This Book is Anti-Racist.
- Get Some Sunshine
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Don’t go out where you are going to be in contact with people, but find a way to get some Vitamin D. Take a walk or run in your neighborhood, find a trail to get lost in, or set up a chair or Eno in your backyard. Taking a break from the illumination of your computer, phone, or TV is great for your mental health by helping you feel more relaxed and boosting your serotonin levels.
- Eat Right
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Your new schedule should help with this, but make sure to get at least three meals in a day. During my first few days at home, I slept in, missed meals, and when I did eat, it wasn’t a complete meal. It’s easy to start snacking on junk food, but try and stock up on some healthy protein bars, yogurt, veggies, or fruit to keep you full. Having these foods on hand will help you grab healthier snacks when you’re catching up on your Netflix shows and reaching for something to munch on. All that being said, it’s okay to treat yourself, so bake a batch of cookies or dip some strawberries in Nutella!
COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire, and the best thing we can do to slow the virus down is to stay at home, wash our hands, and practice social distancing. Stay safe, and don’t forget to take the time to use these tips to improve your mental health and to help you form a routine while staying at home!