Quarantine Got You Down?

Posted On June 29, 2020

We are well into this ongoing quarantine, and this strange new world can be hard to handle at times. Boredom may have you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, especially if you have young children at home.

In addition, you may find that you have developed anxiety and fear about the future.

That is completely normal!

Furthermore, these trying times have everyone on edge. You are not alone and this fear is not uniquely yours.

Take a deep breath and relax. There are things that you can do to help yourself cope with the continuing state of quarantine. In addition, there are things that can help you navigate this chaotic new world.

10 Ways to Busy Your Mind During Quarantine

Despite many people having returned to work, there are also many that have not. Perhaps you are not used to being home all day. Conversely, you might find it hard to fill your time.

Start a journal or blog.

Start a journal about your everyday thoughts and feelings, A journal is a great tool for dealing with stress, as it helps you clear the clutter from your mind. Other the other hand you can start a blog. You can blog about anything from chess to cheese and someone somewhere will want to read it.

Writing in a journal or creating a blog is a great way to get things off your chest… a blog can even make you some extra cash! There are tons of free blog sites available for you to get creative and get those ideas out of your mind and onto the page.

Explore the gift of music

If it won’t bother your neighbors, dust off that old guitar, or open up that piano and have some fun playing music. There are a number of sites online that allow you to learn for free or check out tutorials on YouTube for hands-on instruction

Write a poem

Coupled with journaling or blogging, writing poetry is a great way to let your fears and feelings escape. The art of poetry is one of beauty and exploration.

Open up your heart and your mind and let the words flow to the page. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings and remember that true poets write from the heart.

For a few lessons on writing poems check out Poetry Writing Hacks: 10 Tips on How to Write a Poem.

Watch a classic film.

Take this time to watch one of the time-honored classic movies that everyone talks about.

Since you have the time, why not try movies like Thelma and Louise (1991), Rocky (1976), or Jaws (1975) for a bit of fun and excitement.

There are plenty of options to choose from so check out this list of 85 Must-Watch Movies if you need ideas.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to deal with stress and calm your nerves. Try laying down with your palms facing up and your eyes closed. Focus on your breathing and tune out everything else. You can also do this while in a sitting position. The goal is to quiet your chaotic mind and focus on the feelings in your body along with your breathing. Check out this article from the New York Times to learn about meditation.

Get a Hobby

Photography, writing, candle-making, cross-stitch, or scrap-booking are great ways to pass time and be creative. Pick up a new hobby and focus your energy on that venture. You never know, you may find your calling in one of the millions of fun activities. Have a look at this list of hobbies on Wikipedia for inspiration and ideas.

Get Organized

You know that cupboard where all the plastic containers live? Why not clean it up and get it organized. We all have areas in our house that we avoid simply because of the chaos they hold. Take time to get organized and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with clearing clutter. Good Housekeeping has a great article that lists 100 home organization tips, read it and get inspired to free yourself from stuff.

Get Fit:

Try working out using a video or YouTube. There is a plethora of instruction videos available online. Test out different exercise styles and find one that works for you. Pilates, Yoga, or cross-fit may be exactly the workout you need to get through this difficult time. After all, exercise releases endorphins that make you happier.

Camp Indoors

Since we are inside anyway, why not camp in your living room? Clear out the furniture and grab some blankets. Settle in with the kids and even make some S’mores camping at home can be even more fun because there is not the issue of bugs or bears to worry about.

Get Cooking

Perfect Grandma’s cookie recipe or try to make something you have always wanted to eat but have never tried to cook. Quarantine is the perfect time to experiment with new foods and flavors. For some great ideas check out Dinner than Dessert

You’re Not Alone!

Quarantine is hard. Although you may feel lost and frightened, if you embrace the new time that you have, you might find things you never knew you were interested in. Most of all, you may even have some fun.

Remember to share your thoughts and ideas for things to do during quarantine in the comments or on the forum.

Until Next Time,

Stay Safe.