Whelp, many of us have gone into quarantine or are under some sort of stay at home order. Such a crazy time that we’re living in, but as always, it is important to make the most of it. Below are some ideas on how to survive a quarantine with your mental health in check!
Exercise Daily
Physical movement is vital for mental health. Move daily, even if you didn’t already. One of the best resources on the web for uncomplicated workouts with little to no equipment is darebee.com. We are huge fans of this website which provides free workout ideas, programs and challenges. YouTube has plenty of videos to follow. There are dance and movement games you can download. Got a skill you’ve been thinking about learning? This is a perfect time to build up to that handstand or pistol squat that you’ve been wanting to do. The internet is rife with options to stay active. Keep your body moving and aim for a good 30 minutes a day.
Eat Well
Groceries and food in general can be a little tough right now. It’s not always clear what fresh foods you can get or what you’ll be able to count on being in stores. Stock up on what you can, but don’t go overboard. We’re all in this together. For some reason, there was a big run on yeast in our area. We ended up trading with a neighbor to get a bag (her mother had sent her some from out of state). Assuming you can get what you need, though, this is the perfect time to learn about cooking a new style or culture that you haven’t tried before. Instead of ordering your food, try making it at home!
Go Outside, When Appropriate
Don’t be dumb, but it is vital to get some fresh air. It could be a walk around the block, sitting with your head out of your living room window, a rooftop patio, whatever you have access to. Make sure you’re staying within the rules of your area and maintaining good distancing, but a walk around the block can do wonders. I moved my workout to the deck, just to get some more fresh air.
Limit Screen Time
Yeah, it’s a tough one. However, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of being online or at least on a screen, the entire time. This isn’t good for your eyes or your focus. You’re going to be forced to have plenty of screen time with studying and school, anyway, so do your best to find activities to occupy your time outside of that.
Maintain a Schedule and Dress Daily
Just because you’re not going anywhere, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t act like you are. You still have a job to do (med school), and you should still take it seriously. Get up in the morning, like you normally would, make your coffee, take your shower(!) and get dressed. You’ll find that you have more focus and energy to tackle your day.
Just a handful of ideas, and things that have worked for us. We’re going to be in this for the long haul, so be sure to pay attention to yourself! The only way we get through this is together and the only way you can help someone else is by helping yourself.