Tips to Stay Positive While at Home

In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), many businesses are opting to have employees work from home and students are switching to online learning or home-school. When we find ourselves stuck at home and unable to participate in our usual routines, our first reactions might be to feel anxious or unsettled. Here are some tips to help you keep positive and happy while staying at home.

Keep Routines

Are you among those suddenly working from home? Start your day with your normal morning routines. Get up, get dressed and prepare yourself for the day as if you are actually going to work. Have a routine for waking up and for going to sleep, and make a plan for how much time you will spend working and how much time you will spend on leisurely activities. Try to keep routines for children as well, it will help them stay focused as they navigate new ways of online learning and completing school work.  Mealtime and bedtime routines give kids a sense of safety and structure in their day-to-day lives.

Continue to Learn

There are endless online resources for learning. Apps, blogs, podcasts, audio books, and YouTube videos offer tutorials for all ages on everything from sewing, cooking, crafting, dancing, budgeting and so much more. Websites like Duolingo serve as a way to learn new languages in your spare time and the free app offers courses in 30+ languages. A list of free online educational resources including virtual field trips at zoos, museums and even the White House can be found at www.weareteachers.com to help children continue learning at home. Local options like the Reid Park Zoo are even offering extra free resources and videos on their website in light of the closures.

Meditate, Eat Healthy and Exercise

Be mindful of your physical and mental health during this time. Take deep breaths, stretch and meditate. You can find many free online yoga and meditation videos, which can help relieve anxiety and stress. Prepare and eat well-balanced meals. And exercise! Just 30 minutes a day can greatly help to boost your mood and improve your overall health.

Organize and Beautify Your Space

Look around your house and identify projects that need to be taken care of and get started! Whether you are organizing your pantry and closets, decorating, de-cluttering or pulling weeds in the yard, taking on a project is a great way to make your time at home feel meaningful and productive. Make a to-do list and take this time to tackle those projects you’ve been putting off for a while.

Create Time Alone

While spending time with our family is a gift, we still at times need a little time to ourselves. Give children the opportunity to spend some time alone playing or reading in their rooms, and take that time to breathe, refocus and re-energize yourself.

Reach Out to Others

Pick up the phone and talk or participate in a video chat! Give family members and friends a phone call and check to make sure they are doing ok. Stay connected to the relationships that enrich your life, check on your neighbors, or call someone you haven’t talked to in a while and make their day with a friendly phone call or video chat!