How to Make the Most Out of COVID 19 Lockdown at Home
With the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic and the threat it presents to citizens globally, many countries have initiated lockdown protocol. Schools, workplaces, and entertainment centers have closed or restricted activity to keep the crowd levels down. Many protocols are in place indefinitely to avoid the rapid spread of the virus. For this reason, many folks have been staying at home, for longer periods than they ordinarily would. The COVID 19 lockdown doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Don’t panic, just try your best to adjust to regulations and make your time at home productive.
How to stay in good spirits during the lockdown
Staying indoors when you are so used to being out and about can be distressing. People who live alone are feeling the effects of depression, loneliness, and isolation. Unable to work, socialize, and meet friends is hard for some. So how can you combat these negative feelings?
Focus on work– If your job allows you to do remote work from home during quarantine, make the best of it. Stay focused and get your tasks done on time and keep yourself busy. Keep in touch with your co-workers and bosses so that you are fully aware of what’s going on with projects and tasks.
Catch up on your favorite shows – there has never been such a dependency on the internet. Web-based platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney + have seen an influx of new subscribers during COVID lockdown. If you are able to access these services, you can catch up on new series or watch movies to pass some time.
Exercise – Exercise actually boosts your mood and releases serotonin and endorphins. Do some yoga or HIIT to keep your body active. Consider taking walks around your neighborhood (while social distancing) or walk your dog if you have one.
Video chat with friends – Social distancing has restricted gatherings. So why not make use of technology and have a group video chat with friends and family to keep in touch. If you live alone, this is a great comfort to maintain human contact while sticking to COVID precautions. You can host parties, watch tv together or just have a nice chat on various apps such as Zoom, Facebook, Skype, and more.
Learn a new skill online – Many prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Yale University have free online courses for the lockdown period. They cover a range of topics so that there is something for everyone. You can also attempt learning a new language, following cooking tutorials, or join an online dance class.
Get chores done – Deep clean your home or apartment. Re-organize your closet. Paint your room or change your décor. Use the time at home to do some home improvement and tackle chores that you have neglected from being too busy.
Take time to self-care – Use downtime at home to take care of yourself. Meditate, relax, and take a breather. Enjoy the time you have to yourself. Read books, listen to music, and enjoy hobbies. Work on cooking and baking skills, DIY beauty and haircare, or any self-improvement tasks you tend to neglect. Start a journal or work on a vision board to keep track of goals and achievements.
Fun Activities at Home during Lockdown
For Parents and Kids
With schools and workplaces closed, families with kids are all at home, together. When work and school is in full swing, many families do not get to spend quality time together. This often leads to a breakdown in family communication. During the lockdown, it’s the perfect time to catch up on bonding activities. Kids can get stir crazy being cooped up in the house all day. Here are some fun activities to keep them occupied:
Maintain structure – It’s easy to fall out of routine during extended periods of time at home. Try to avoid this and plan your days. Keep up strict bedtimes and plan activities for kids during the day. Make time for studies, playtime, meal times, and chores.
Play board games – Try to keep your kids from getting too addicted and dependent on screen time and video games. Introduce classic board games such as Ludo, Clue, Monopoly, and more. Fun, active games like twister or jumbo-sized Snakes and Ladders are also great to keep them engaged.
Do arts and crafts – Find projects online through Pinterest and other craft sites. Creative activities are enriching for both parent and child and foster a deeper bond. Working together on a project nurtures a child’s teamwork skills as well as their creativity and encourages innovation.
Online tutoring – Many schools have integrated an online learning system so that students can keep up with their education. If your child’s school was unable to do this or has a simpler method in place, you can sign up for online tutors. There are websites that supplement your child’s schoolwork with additional content, exercises, and activities. You can choose a live tutor or a website with worksheets you can download to teach kids on your own.
Play outdoors – If you have access to a yard, take your kids out to play ball and get some physical activity in. This will help them burn off extra energy and create a fun, bonding experience for both parents and children.
Teach kids about COVID 19 – Keep your household up to date on news and precautions to combat the virus. Talk about social distancing, hygiene, and all the measures to be taken for safety. Let your kids ask questions about what’s going in the world and keep them informed. When the time comes for them to go back to school, they will be well aware of the situation and practice safe hygiene. Teach them about:
- What is COVID 19?
- How to wash hands thoroughly
- Why masks are important
- Social Distancing and how it’s done
- What is the ‘new normal’?
Let your kids help you in the kitchen – Kids are curious and it’s a wonderful idea to include them in your daily chores. For instance, cooking and baking. Let your kids help you prep meals or bake cookies and cakes. It’s fun for them and keeps them occupied. For families with older kids, you can use this opportunity to teach them useful survival skills.
For Everyone
Not everyone has young kids in their households and some households consist of grown-ups and older teens. Here are some activities that can be enjoyed in any type of household.
Movie nights – Cinemas may be closed, but you can gather around your own tv set and have a family movie night together. Young and old can benefit from this group activity. Pop some corn and try to recreate the movie-going experience for a creative flair.
Family dinners – The tradition of family dinners has dropped significantly in many households. Busy work schedules lead to the absence of family members at dinner time. Go back to traditional roots during the COVID lockdown. Bring your family back together to break bread and catch up on current events.
Multi household Video conferences – Some of your family members may be trapped outside of borders waiting for a chance to return home. Keep in touch with them through video chat. Households can arrange group calls to say hi and keep in touch with each other. Friends and family can still interact virtually and be a part of each other’s lives despite physical distances or restrictions.
Gardening – Encourage your household to participate in gardening. Teach young kids about planting food and let everyone be involved. It also helps you create an organic source of food. It saves you money and you feel a sense of accomplishment individually or as a team when your plants prosper.
Health and Wellness
Staying healthy and boosting your immunity is a priority in these challenging times. The stronger your immune system, the better your chances are at fighting off illness and viruses. Some ways to keep healthy are:
Eat a healthy diet – Avoid processed foods and take out junk food. Buy whole ingredients and cook your own meals at home. This also minimizes the risk of contracting Coronavirus by having less contact with containers and possible contaminated items. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Stock up on staples and avoid too many processed carbs and sugary snacks.
Working out – If you don’t normally work out, it’s never too late to try. Start with simple bodyweight routines at home or use equipment that you may own. If you are a regular gym-goer, maintain your gains with home workouts and running. Keeping fit boosts your metabolism, your strength, and overall health. A simple jump rope exercise or Youtube training videos can go a long way.
Get enough sleep – Sleep is an important factor is staying healthy. Don’t use the quarantine period as a reason to stay up late. Forgo watching episodes of a tv show until the birds start chirping. Be disciplined and get your 8 hours of sleep for health and wellness.
Take vitamins and supplements – Boost your immunity with Vitamin C, B vitamins, and other nutritional supplements. The best sources of vitamins and minerals are found in whole foods. However, some persons can’t afford a wide variety of food items. Multivitamins and supplements make up for this deficiency and go a long way in keeping you strong and healthy. The most recommended supplements for boosting immunity are:
- Elderberry
- Echinacea
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
Conclusion
Adjusting to the world with a pandemic that may around for a long time be frustrating. Every aspect of life has been altered in some form or the other. The important thing is to keep grounded and keep safe. Be considerate and mindful of others and do your part to limit the spread of the virus.
Focus on your coping mechanisms, seek help if you feel mentally overwhelmed. Avoid falling into bad habits such as excessive drinking or substance abuse to deal with the impact of lockdown. All measures are put in place to preserve life.
For parents with kids, it’s not going to be easy. Try your best to keep your kids in a basic routine so that they can maintain some normalcy. Pay attention to your health, relationships and band together with your family to make the most out of the time at home.
Things to remember
- If you go out on errands, remember to sanitize before and after entering businesses and your home
- Wear your mask in public
- Avoid touching your face and eyes
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Sanitize any purchases, groceries and produce when you return from shopping
- Comply with all rules and regulations put into place by businesses to ensure sanitation
- Protect the elders and youngest members of your family by limiting exposure to crowded spaces and keep your home sanitized
- Boost your immune system and make healthy choices
- If you feel ill or have flu symptoms, stay home, self-isolate or call your local Covid 19 hotline for medical assistance and testing
- Prevention is better than cure
- Stay up to date with news but don’t stress yourself out
While many people are eager to get back to work and school, don’t let your time at home go to waste. Instead of being unproductive, get up and be active. Keep your mind off negativity. Catch up on chores, cook wholesome meals and focus on self-care. Prioritize bonding time with your partner and kids. There are a lot of activities that you can engage in to pass the time. You will feel enriched and accomplished if you work on improving skills or working on projects. Take time to embrace the time at home and use it wisely. Learn to be grateful and appreciate the world and the people around you. Quarantine means you are able to slow down and notice the simple joys in life. Build fond memories with your family and enjoy this time together!
Resources
https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/easy-affordable-and-healthy-eating-tips-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak
https://www.shethepeople.tv/blog/self-care-lockdown-tips-feel-good/
https://www.henryford.com/blog/2020/03/fostering-wellness-during-covid-19
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/immune-boosting-supplements#1.-Vitamin-D
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html