On Lockdown: Five things to do during quarantine

With the novel coronavirus sweeping the globe, a majority of Americans have been advised to stay home. Schools have shut down, restaurants have been limited to take-out only and gatherings of 10 or more people have been prohibited, which includes work establishments. 

Whether you’re working from home or are one of the 10 million Americans that have filed for unemployment, we all are experiencing an unprecedented amount of free time. Paired with social distancing and lockdown orders, this time at home can bring a mixture of emotions.

If you’re struggling to stay grounded, then you’re definitely not alone. Instead of starting yet another Netflix binge, try these tips to fill your free time more intentionally. 

Five things to do during quarantine

While you don’t have to put pressure on yourself to write a novel or learn a second language, this time is perfect for completing more practical tasks. Of course, give yourself the rest that you need, but also try not to fall into self-destructive habits.

You can enjoy Netflix in moderation while still setting aside the time to file your taxes or take on a new skill. One thing is evident: we are going to be in this quarantine state for a while, so we may as well make the most of the time we have on our hands. 

Declutter/clean

This one is listed first because you’ve mostly already thought about it, but have likely put it off. A few months ago, you probably wished you had the time to clean out your closet, reorganize your cabinets, declutter your desktop files, organize your photos or repot your plants. Yes, they’re all mundane tasks, but extremely rewarding, considering decluttering enhances clarity and productivity!

Get crafty

Now is a better time than ever to get lost in creativity. A great form of escapism, crafting can help distract you from the reality of the world in the most playful way possible. Choose a craft that appeals to you, like painting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, creating mosaic art, or making soaps and body butters. Don’t let your ego get caught up in being “bad” at your selected craft; that’s not the point and you’ll always improve with practice!

Hangout with your friends via facetime

If you’re missing that social connection, then set-up some Facetime or Google Hangouts dates with those you care about most. You can start a virtual book club or chat over a digital happy hour to make things more fun!

Develop a new skill

With all of us spending so much time at home, now is the perfect time to work on self-improvement! Take that online course you’ve been researching, start a new morning routine, and prioritize those self-care habits you’ve been wanting to implement into your life. 

The silver-lining between this tragedy is that we finally have the time to slow down and think beyond the rat-race of life. Think about the person you want to be and start making those strides towards growth. 

Take a new workout class

There’s so many yoga, meditation, Pilates, and home workout videos online that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Even though most of us have been ordered to not leave our homes, committing to movement is still crucially important. Movement not only inspires an overall sense of well-being, but it also increases productivity and is an effective mood booster!

Get through that stack of books, or that movie marathon

That stack of books you’ve been putting off for years is calling your name! Grab your morning coffee or tea and crack one open! 

Just because we have downtime, doesn’t mean we need to be hyper-productive at all times. This is a great time to knock some stuff off your personal to-do list and invite self-improvement into your life, but it’s also the perfect time to catch up on some much needed R&R. So, if you want to watch a Harry Potter movie marathon while staying in your pj’s all day, then you deserve that kind of self-love, too.