So you are stuck in the house on quarantine. Maybe you have been stuck in the house for a few weeks. You’re getting bored or maybe the tension in the home is rising. If you are reading this during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are just beginning week 4 of the shelter in place. How are you doing? We are starting to feel a lot of tension in the home. It has been rainy and cold so we have had less time outside and more time inside on top of each other.

I have certainly had my days of high stress and had to take a walk around the block just to cool off. But I wanted to share a few ways I have been getting through this period.

10 Things To Do In Quarantine

 

1. Meditation

You’ve probably tried it and stopped or had intentions to start, but life got too busy and you never got around to it. Now is the perfect time to start… because meditation is actually proven to make you happier, less stressed and improves memory. I like to sit alone, in a quiet place – which lately hasn’t been so easy, and quietly meditate on a single thought or just focus on my breath. Check out my post on how meditation is great for motivation.

2.  Read a good book

I committed myself to read one book a month for 2020. And so far I have been successful in my reading. And even throw in an extra audiobook here and there. So dust off that book you haven’t finished and get reading!

3. Spring clean

Well, now that spring is officially here its time to dive headfirst into clearing out the old items you no longer need. I recently did a Declutter challenge to get me started on my Spring cleaning. Check out that post and don’t forget to let me know how the Declutter Challenge goes for you!

4.  Get out of the house

Go for a walk, or just sit on your porch. I know it is such a weird time and we honestly have no idea what the rules are. But getting out of the house just to get a few minutes of fresh air will do wonders for your mood. Think about it, you’re cramped in your confined space with your family it can feel like the walls are closing in sometimes.

5. Take a long shower or bath

You have to shower every day…don’t forget to shower, please. I know how easy it can be to just stay in your pajamas all day but despite being stuck in the house all day, it’s probably best for everyone involved that you shower. So why not take a nice long hot shower. I love my shower steamers for longer showers. They provide the most amazing aroma to support relaxation. Or if a hot bath is more your jam, wait until the kids are in bed and take a long hot bath. Complete with a glass of wine, candles, and bubbles of course.

6. Call a friend

We are in the time of text messages, and social media apps. But how much are we really connecting with our friends? Now is one of the best times to connect with old friends. We are all experiencing the same quarantine so they have no excuse either. That call can be a simple phone call, hoping on FaceTime or getting a group of your friends together for a Zoom call. Being stuck in the home with your kids can husband can be lonely. Connect to those who breathe life into your world and chat about the last episode of the Bachelor or Real Housewives. I promise you will feel so much better.

7. Learn a new skill

Is there something you wanted to learn in the past but haven’t found the time? Well, now you have all the time in the world literally! Ready to brush up on your Spanish skills, or want to learn to play the piano that’s been sitting in your home for the last 3 years? Get online and find a cheap class through Udemy or YouTube! There are so many options. My daughter and I have started learning origami and we are having so much fun with it.

8. Exercise

You might not have the gym and maybe that’s got you a little stir crazy. But a lot of studios and gyms are putting their group classes online. If you are a member, hop on to one of their online offerings, or check out YouTube. There are a ton of great options there as well. Exercise has been proven to improve your mental health and mood so if you are feeling down or not like yourself find some form of exercise that will lift you up.

9. Adult coloring pages or puzzles

I love coloring with my kids. I feel it really calms both kids and adults. When I have time, I pull out my adult coloring book and colored pencils and get to work. You can totally get lost in a coloring page. If you don’t have a book there are a ton of sites that provide coloring pages for download. Additionally, I love puzzles but never find time for them. This weekend we busted out one of our 500 piece puzzles. I can sit for hours with a glass of wine or tea just working on the puzzle. It’s oddly relaxing for me.

10. Be thankful

You’re here and alive. Create a list each day or journal about something you are grateful for. There are so many uncertainties these days and many are stressed and anxious about what tomorrow will bring. I challenge you to bring yourself to the here and now and just be thankful for what is. Then pull out that journal that you have been to busy to keep up and journal about what you are thankful for during this time.

I try to incorporate one of these every day this week to help maintain my sanity.  What are some of your favorite ways to take care of yourself when you are stuck in the house? Let me know what you are doing while on quarantine in the comments.