Right now you might be reading this from the comfort of your home due to the COVID-19 virus that has taken over the world. You may start feeling “stuck” or “bored” at home for the next couple of days or weeks, but there is still plenty you can do to make the most of your time.
1. Practice safety
Stay home. Don’t go outside unless you need something or are getting fresh air. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds). Sanitize your surfaces. Don’t touch your face. Cough/sneeze into your elbow. Don’t go near the elderly or immune-comprised if you are sick. As a Health Education Specialist these are tips that I am constantly hearing or sharing with others. Practice safety, even while stuck at home.
2. Have a routine
If you are working from home or you have kids that are off from school, it’s important to maintain some form of routine. You can stay productive by maintaining your regular school or work hours. This will make the day seem less long and boring. Have a set work space and set an agenda for the day.
3. Get creative with your meals
Going to the supermarket for the last few days and finding necessary items like chicken, rice and other stuff has been a hard task. It has been disappointing to see empty aisles. This has pushed me to venture out and try making meals that I typically wouldn’t make. Having more time at home has also led me to think about what I want to eat throughout the day instead of relying on my usual go-to meals. Instead of doing my usual wasting of money every morning at Dunkin Donuts, I can now save money and make a healthier option at home. If you’re feeling stuck on what to make with the food items you have, I recommend visiting Pinterest and looking up meal ideas. Pinterest has ideas for everything from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.
4. Stay active
Staying active is key when “stuck” at home. Your body needs to stay in motion for it to operate effectively. Gyms being closed at this time doesn’t have to be an excuse for staying inactive. You can work out at home or simply walk around your neighborhood. I usually feel too tired after work to exercise. However, since I have been home I took the opportunity to go running with a friend and I’m hoping we can continue for the rest of our time home and even after. Get fresh air and stay active, your body will thank you for it.
5. Reignite your passions
Think about all the things you naturally enjoy doing or would be interested in doing if you had more time. Time away from work, school, or other life obligations can be time spent doing what you love. Whether that’s reading, journaling, drawing, investing, coding, blogging, designing, whatever it is, this is your time to get back to it. I can’t remember the last time I read a book for fun, but now there is finally time. If you’re interested in learning a particular skill, this is the time to do your research and figure out how to get started. There is an abundance of resources available at your fingertips online right now. Your interests can also turn into a side hustle that you can use as another stream of income. Looking at what is taking place in the world right now should be a major motivator for developing multiple streams of income. Think about the vision you have for your future or your family’s future. The first step to achieving your vision can be taken right now.
6. Connect with loved ones
Time at home can also be a great time to connect more with loved ones. The fact that this virus is affecting everyone on a global and national level, means that it can also be a source of unity between us. I can be in New York checking in with a friend in Oklahoma or a family member in Jamaica. Even amid social distancing, we still need each other. If you live in a full house, you might feel like you are going crazy staying in the house with people all day. However, try to reframe your mind that this time together may not come again or for awhile. Remember it is a blessing to have your family with you in good health. With Kareem and I both working from home, we get our work done but it’s also been nice to take a break or eat lunch together in the day. Connect with your loved ones by talking about how they’re dealing with the pandemic, watch a movie together, look up dream vacation spots (for after the pandemic), pray, etc.
7. Rest
While it is important to stay active, it’s also important to get your rest. If you’re used to getting less than 8 hours of sleep during the weekday, use this as a time to catch up. You’ll notice that the more sleep you get at night, the more alert you will be during the day. Mental rest is just as important as physical rest, so try to take some moments of your day to still your mind as well.
8. Drop worry
Watching the news and staying updated on what’s going on around us is important. However, if staying up to date is leaving you feeling more fearful than informed you should cut back on your news intake. If we’re being honest, this virus will likely get worse before it gets better. Toilet paper is low, social gatherings are being canceled, hospital beds are low, and the list goes on. When I left my home for the first time this week to get groceries, I did feel a little worried about whether or not I would get infected while out. When I got back home, the scripture that came to me was “no plague would come near my dwelling.”-Psalm 91:10. In times like these, we have to remember that God is Sovereign. He is not confused right now about all of the sickness and death around the world. We have already been told that in the last days these things would be. Let’s drop the worry, stand on God’s promises, and have faith that He is still in control.
9. Pray
The fact that God is in control should be all of the encouragement that we need to truly seek Him in prayer. There is so much to pray for at this moment. We must pray for our world, nation, families, healthcare workers, emergency responders, workers who have been impacted financially, those who are immune-compromised, and the list goes on. I work at a cancer center and I think about our patients often. My mom works in a nursing home and I’m sure we all know of a loved one who works in healthcare. This is a serious time and prayers are truly needed. Let us also remember to pray for ourselves. With church gatherings decreasing in number, we must learn to keep our personal commitment to God more than ever. If you’ve been far from God, this is the time to draw close to Him again -James 4:8. As we try to be physically aware, let’s also be spiritually aware.
What are some other things you can do while home?
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