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It’s hard to believe that most of the country has stay at home orders until further notice to help minimize the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. For most of us, being in quarantine is a new experience and our mental health care can easily decline. As humans, we are social creatures that need interaction to fulfill our lives with happiness. We were never supposed to be closed in. This can especially be hard when working from home, only going out for groceries and not being able to visit friends or family.

So what can you do while you sit at home, peer through your window and think about how great life once was. Bing-watching your favorite shows and scrolling through social media can only hold you over for so long. So what can you do to keep busy and in routine while you’re under quarantine?

1. Try yoga or workout from home

During this time, it’s easy to feel more stressed than usual and that’s okay. Staying at home and being confined in your space is difficult and can make you feel stir crazy. Starting your day off with yoga or a workout has multiple benefits such as decreasing stress, relieving anxiety, and promoting better sleep quality. There are multiple free online yoga classes that you can stream right from your phone:

• Fightmaster Yoga
• CrossFlow Yoga App
• DoYogaWithMe‍

2. Keep your workspace tidy and clean

Keeping a clean and tidy house is very important when it comes to productivity. Clutter can cause stress, even if you don’t realize it. And who needs more stress right now? Taking a few minutes to put papers and bills away can have numerous benefits on your mind such as:

• More focus
• Improved efficiency
• Better use of time‍

3. Have daily video chats with friends and family

Research shows that social interactions really improve our well-being and health. Although, too much of it can cause stress and social anxiety in large doses. Keep your daily interactions at an optimal level and don’t overdo it.

Many of us are missing fun times with friends and family. While we practice social distance, it doesn’t mean that you can’t see them or call your loved ones. Staying connected is especially important to maintain your relationships and build self-confidence. It’s easier than ever today when most people have some sort of smartphone with a camera app. Here are some apps that make staying in touch easier:

• FaceTime (for iOS)
• Google Hangout
• House Party
• Skype
• Zoom
• Facebook Messenger

4. S‍upport your local restaurants by eating out

By using take out or delivery, you can still eat at your favorite restaurants. Most restaurants have special deals during the quarantine. Cooking can get boring after a while and it’s nice to enjoy a meal freshly prepared for you without having to do the leg work. Here are a list of apps that you can use to get delivery:

• Postmates
• Grubhub
• DoorDash
• UberEats

‍5. Read, read, read

There is a lot going on in the world and it’s changing every day. With the freed up time, it may be a great idea to read the books you’ve been putting off for years. Not only is reading good for your intellect, it also eases stress and may help you escape the realities of daily life. Here are some good books that are highly recommended by the New York Post:

“Last Couple Standing”
by Matthew Norman (fiction, Ballantine)

“The Blaze”
by Chad Dundas (fiction, GP Putnam’s Sons)

“The Glass Hotel”
by Emily St. John Mandel (fiction, Knopf)

“After Me Comes the Flood”
by Sarah Perry (fiction, Custom House)

6. Visit a virtual museum or theme park

Finding entertainment after binge-watching all of your favorite shows can be tricky. However, there are plenty of fun things to explore online. For instance, many museums and theme parks are offering virtual tours. With the virtual tours, you can walk through the areas on your computer or even go on a ride at Disney World. If you get creative enough, you could use a fan or virtual reality goggles and make it feel realistic. Whatever you choose to do, there is plenty to see from the comfort of your own couch.

• The Met – This award-winning series of six short videos invites viewers from around the world to virtually visit The Met’s art and architecture in a fresh, immersive way – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project
• Disney World – Explore a park in Disney- https://www.visitorlando.com/en/things-to-do/virtual-tours/walt-disney-world-resort
• Smithsonian – Access awesome exhibits- https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

7. Clean out your house

It may be time for a little spring cleaning. With all that extra time, why not remove some of the clutter and donate it or better yet, put it in a self-storage unit. We have various units available to fit your needs. Whether it’s an entire house cleanup or just a room, we can fit your stuff at a great price. Visit our locations page to find a storage facility closest to you.

You’re Helping The Community By Staying Home

By staying home, you’re helping to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Isolation and quarantine are big factors in terms of eliminating the disease. The statistics show that reducing the movement of people has a great effect in reducing those getting infected. This is a collective effort of everyone in the United States which is the reason why the stay at home orders are in effect.

While it may be difficult and at times stressful, preventing the spread is necessary and is the only way we can get back to our normal routines quicker than before. The CDC has more updated information regarding the spread of COVID-19.

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