Quarantine & Chill

Introvert’s Guide to Making the Most of your Novel Coronavacation.

Grocery stores look like some weird version of the hunger games. Lysol and Purell are the hottest commodities on the market. Gas prices haven’t been this low in over a decade. And somehow, everything sucks during quarantine.

The mass spread of the Covid-19 virus has been easily one of the most daunting things to follow in the news the last few weeks. With rising panic in the populous and a systematic shut down of public resources, naturally, everyone is starting to get a little more agitated out than before. As a person with anxiety, and especially someone whose whole family falls into the vulnerable category of potential patients, I get it. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I also panic-purchase some extra grocery items last week that I might not have needed right away because seeing so many shelves bare freaked me out. I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved to hear the learning centre I work at was going to be closing its doors to help decrease the spread of the virus. I’m more likely to order take-out than to dine in. I prefer online shopping to going into stores. I hate being in crowds. If it wasn’t for the notion of being told we aren’t supposed to go places and losing the autonomy over our decision process, I wonder if it would have been so jarring.

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Let’s face it. That overwhelming icky feeling of knowing this big huge virus is sweeping the nation isn’t a nice thing. The feelings of stress and fear and worry and uncertainty are so valid, especially when our jobs and salaries are being put on hold. But it’s given us an opportunity to be away from everything, too. Our field, though diverse and beautiful and stupendous in its challenges also holds one of the highest statistics for burnout. Perhaps, instead of looking at Covid quarantine as a punishment condition, we can look at it as an opportunity to unplug, unwind, and reconnect to some of the simpler things that keep us grounded. what if this is a hella dramatic way of the universe telling us to slow TF down and take what we need? Take some of this time for the ultimate self-care catch up. Stick this one out with me and slap on a face-mask, I’ve got some ideas. I’ve been casually practicing social distancing for years; I’ve trained for this.

Feeling like all the media coverage is getting to be too much? Turn off the news, limit your media monitoring to 1 hour a day, and use your phone for the forces of Good.
Connect to your Community. Check in on your friends, your coworkers, your partner, your elderly, and your vulnerable. A little message goes a long way. Take it further and pick up the phone, set up a facetime date, or even use the Netflix Party feature to watch something all together. When was the last time you actually laughed out loud when typing LOL?
Catch up on that series you’ve heard so much about.
I finally caved and signed up for my own Netflix account this week. If you’ve binged everything under the sun, maybe it’s time to switch up your media. I hear there’s a really cool podcast up and running…
Move your Body. Gyms may be closing as part of #flatteningthecurve, but to counteract all the quarantine snacks and becoming one with the couch for Netflix, take some time to try an at-home workout and keep your body feeling good. The internet is a magical place to find digital workout resources. Try a yoga class! Go outside for a run! For something a little different and very on brand, Blogilates released a 14 day quarantine pilates workout, link here.
Reconnect with your Hobbies. All those fun creative things that make you, you! Get crafting, get colouring, knit something, bake something, try a new recipe, make a puzzle, read that non-textbook you got for Christmas that you haven’t had time to read. This is prime time to do the stuff you love.
Try to keep up with some of your regular routines. If you’re working from home, designate a working space away from your bed or couch to encourage better posture and to avoid a paired association between work in relaxing environments. Keeping a routine and sense of normalcy is strongly encouraged to maintain your productivity.
Get your Study On. We’re rolling out extra workshops to keep you on your toes. We also have a really cool app. Did we mention that?
Get Productive. Marie Kondo your closet. Do a deep spring clean. File your damn taxes. Rearrange your spice rack. A little busy changes the value of time spent less busy.
Self Care. Free journaling resources are currently available from the Happiness Planner. Mental health resources are BOOMING to make sure everyone is their best self during quarantine. Museums are offering digital tours. Take-out has free delivery. Take naps when you need rest. The world is still accessible. It’s all good.
Hug your Pets. There is literally no one on earth more excited to see you home than your fur (or in my case, feather baby). Be the person your pet thinks you are and show up for them too. As far as research shows, the virus can’t be given to your pets, so hug them all day every day. Just don’t forget to space out hand-licks right after using sanitizer- it’s toxic for dogs.

If nothing else, try the following 4 step daily hack to optimizing your time at home during quarantine: Do one thing for your body, one thing for your mind, one thing for your feelings, and then do something kind. We’re all in this together. Let’s let things cool down out there while we take care of ourselves a little too.