6 Things to do During the Quarantine to Keep Busy and Stay Sane
April 13, 2020
The period of confinement and social distancing seems to be here to stay for a while.
This can be a difficult thing to endure - the isolation and lack of social and even physical contact with people can really take a toll and it's easy to become restless.
On my last post, I talked about how this time should be used as a period of reflection - reflection on the quality of your life, the path you're on, your habits...
I think this should absolutely be our main focus during these hard times, as I think we have all become painfully aware of what we have been taking for granted - even the simple act of going out for some sunshine or just meeting with a friend at a coffee shop (which we often postpone for ages) is now out of the question.
However, if you're in that restless mood and you're stuck inside, then it's good to find things to keep yourself busy and to help you organize your thoughts.
Here are a few ideas on productive things to do during this time:
1. Organize your life and your home
Did you know that cleaning and organizing, while they are mostly physical tasks, help organize the mind as well? (You can read this article if you want to know more about this).
You can take this time to clean, declutter and organize your house or a room that particularly needs it.
Also, consider the systems that you have in place for your daily or routine activities.
Make changes if you think your systems aren't working anymore.
You could:
Make changes if you think your systems aren't working anymore.
You could:
- Simplify your closet
- Make a capsule wardrobe
- Switch to your spring/summer closet and put away your winter clothes
- Reorganize your pantry
- Organize, file, scan and declutter papers (bills, letters, etc.)
- Organize your recipes or create a file with your go-to recipes on hand
- Declutter magazines and newspapers, if you still buy them;
- Go through your bookshelves and see if there is anything you could donate
- Organize your email inbox and unsubscribe from emails you never read or don't want to receive anymore
- Go through your linens and towels and declutter what isn't in good condition or donate if you have too many
- Go through your old electronics and see if you can sell, donate or recycle anything
- Throw out or recycle old skincare products that are way past the expiry date (if anything is still good but you don't use it and it's something that doesn't come into contact with the skin, you could give it to a friend or family member)
- Organize all the boxes of old photos and make yearly or event-related albums
- Go through all your kitchen small appliances and accessories and see if there's anything you don't use that you could sell or donate.
2. Work on yourself
We all have projects and goals or just things we'd like to do someday, but we never seem to get to that someday.
Well, now is the time!
You can put all of this new-found free time to good use and focus on your projects, learn new things and improve your skills.
Here are a few ideas:
Here are a few ideas:
- Learn a language or improve your level at it
- Learn how to play an instrument or use this time to practice
- Learn a new skill or work on developing one you already have
- Take online courses
- Read more (books, articles, newspapers and magazines, scientific or professional studies)
- Start exercising
- Implement a skincare routine
- Find or develop your personal style
- Start a blog
- Start a business or a side-hustle
- Start meditating
- Start journaling
- Learn to draw, paint or make pottery
- Make some DIYs
- Start gardening (grow fruits, vegetables or flowers).
3. Reconsider your eating habits
This extra time can also be useful for you to examine what you tend to eat and whether you can implement healthier habits or options.
Learn about nutrition and get rid of unhealthy snacks and foods that you have at home.
This can also be a good time to search for new recipes and try them to see what you like best.
Learn about nutrition and get rid of unhealthy snacks and foods that you have at home.
This can also be a good time to search for new recipes and try them to see what you like best.
You can use your new recipes to create meal plans (plan your meals ahead for a week, various weeks or months).
If you like, you can even cook various meals ahead and freeze them - that way, you'll have a lot of pre-cooked meals ready!
If you like, you can even cook various meals ahead and freeze them - that way, you'll have a lot of pre-cooked meals ready!
4. Relax
Our lives are usually pretty hectic. This sudden change of pace gives us more time to relax and get ready for the next round, as well as to take care of ourselves physically and mentally.
Let yourself have a bit of fun and have some well-deserved down time.
Let yourself have a bit of fun and have some well-deserved down time.
Here are a few ideas for inspiration:
- Practice self-care (skincare, bubble bath, meditation, journaling, therapy, etc.)
- Watch a movie you've been meaning to watch
- Make some popcorn
- Listen to music and sing along or dance around the house
- Make some playlists
- Play some board games or computer games
- Draw, color or paint something
- Do some fun quizzes online
- Create mood boards
- Create outfits
5. Socialize virtually
Only physical socialization is being limited - nobody said anything about virtual socialization!
Have a video-chat with your friends and family.
It'll help you feel less isolated and lonely and will probably cheer everyone up as well.
Taking care of our relationships is very important for our well-being so make sure you don't drift away from your friends - make sure to check in on them and your family once in a while.
Taking care of our relationships is very important for our well-being so make sure you don't drift away from your friends - make sure to check in on them and your family once in a while.
6. Do something to help
If you'd like to do something to help in this current situation, why not look for legitimate entities accepting donations to help in this fight?
There might also be a need for volunteers - maybe you could volunteer to help out, even if it's just delivering food or goods to people in need during this time.
Do you have any other suggestions?
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