How I’m Practicing Social Distancing (and Staying Sane)

Like many of you, I’m hunkered down at home for the next while due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I’m honestly so relieved that I can do my job from home. It’s a major blessing and a big weight off my shoulders (I’ve got a lot of loved ones I need to protect).

But as relieved as I am, I know that facing a week or more of unstructured time in a small space isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why I’ve put together an outline of how I’m going to manage. You might benefit from these ideas, too.

Create a routine: Routines and rituals help propel us forward in uncertain times. If you don’t have a work from home routine established, outline one now. For me, I set my alarm, take a shower, change clothes and make a cup of tea before getting on the computer. I take a lunch break, IM my coworkers—all the stuff I would do in the office. It helps keep the momentum of the day going.
Keep things clean: It’s a good time to reevaluate your cleaning protocol at home. Wipe down your phone, computer and surfaces. And throw in some extra laundry if you’re home all day. We just washed all our linens and throws and it feels good to have a fresh start.
Read: When I’m stressed, I need activities that force me to slow down. Reading is my go-to. Plus, sitting down with a book and a cup of tea for a whole Sunday morning feels like a treat.
All the hobbies: I’m a woman of many hobbies. Now’s the time to embrace them all! All my works in progress are coming out: latch hook, sewing, cross-stitch. Now’s the time to settle in with the projects you never have enough time for.
Get outside: Social distancing doesn’t mean staying indoors. I’ve started to take daily walks so I can get some fresh air, move around and not feel so cooped up.
Keep in touch: Since staying in, I’ve found that I’m calling my family a lot more. It’s a good way to feel connected. And sending my coworkers memes and gifs all day helps too.
Be mindful of the news I’m consuming: During this time, it’s definitely important to stay on top of virus updates, but it’s also easy to fall down a wormhole of information fast. To keep the balance, I limit how many articles I read a day, ensure that the information comes from a trusted source and stay updated with CDC recommendations.