The COVID-19 pandemic has kept us all locked down inside our houses/apartments for weeks now, and it is still unknown when life will show any sense of normalcy again. With practicing social distancing and staying in isolation, there are a lot of ways that it can become overwhelming and get you down in the dumps. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself during this time, and how to create a small amount of normalcy in your life.
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Video Chatting and Phone Calls
Since we can’t connect with people outside of our household physically during this time, it is so important to keep in touch with those you care about. Social interaction not only makes people feel a little bit more busy, but it adds a level of comfort in a scary situation. We are all in the same boat right now, and having friends or family to talk to can ease worries in your mind and distract you from the craziness, even if only for a short time.
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Make a Schedule
While staying at home it is easy to want to lay in bed all day and do nothing. This is something that I have struggled with myself, but I have found that creating a timed schedule helps SIGNIFICANTLY. Even if the schedule is vague it is good to have goals each day. It can help keep you motivated to do work, get you up and about for a while and add structure to a situation that seems to have none.
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Make Your Bed and Change Your Clothes!
This one might sound silly, but change out of those PJ’s! Even if you are changing from one set of comfy clothes to another, it is important to put on some fresh fabrics. Making your bed is also a good way to promote productivity. I found that if I make my bed in the morning and lay on top of the quilt when I am on it during the day I am less likely to take naps or stay in the same spot watching Netflix all day, and more likely to do school work or even do other activities such as writing, painting my nails, or drawing. This also helped me move out of my bedroom to watch tv and I have found myself in the living room more often, leaving my bed a specific place for sleeping.
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Clean Your Space
Being stuck at home is a great time to not only clean (mopping, sweeping, etc.) but also to organize! This is a great way to get yourself moving, and will help you to do that Spring cleaning you never get around to. Set aside some bags/boxes of things you can donate once the virus calms down, and make your space fresh, clean and in sync with your style. Split it up into small chunks; start with your closet, then move onto a dresser, then your office, and so on!
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SHOWER
You may not be going anywhere or have anyone to impress, but showering will make you feel significantly better. In a way this goes along with changing your clothes – it adds structure to your days and will help you to feel more fresh and motivated. I found that taking a shower on my normal schedule (every other day) has helped me significantly. It makes me feel clean and calm, yet gives me this small burst of energy that helps me to be productive.
These tips may seem like common sense to some, but this time in isolation is something that can prove to be extremely difficult. It is a scary time in our world and there is uncertainty everywhere, but it is important to hold on to things that we CAN do to make a difference, stay safe, and stay sane. Remember, it is alright to be scared! There is always someone that you can reach out to whether it be a friend, professor, family member or mentor. It might feel like a lonely time, but you are NOT alone.