How to Not Loose Your Sanity During Quarantine #stayathome

Anyone else going stir crazy and it’s only been a week of Self-Quarantine? Yea, me too. I don’t think I’ll ever complain about a day of running errands again. 🙂 The truth is though, we’re being asked to do something pretty easy; spend time at home with our families. Something we always say we want to do but, when push comes to shove, we don’t because we’re too busy.

Now, we’re not busy and we are feeling conflicted about it. There is a lot of stressors in the environment right now and uncertainty and while our assigned task to quarantine is an easy one, it is also an overwhelming one. Aaron and I actually did our therapy appointments online last week and we talked a lot about COVID and how we’re feeling in this scary time. Our therapist suggested making a list of ideas to help keep our mental health in check, and I thought I would share them here with you in case like me, your head is reeling.

I plan to put a post together about quarantine with a toddler (with tips and activities), but this post about self quarantine tips is more for the mommas and daddas that either need a break, or a distraction. There is no shame in saying this is hard my friends, it is hard, but we all must do our part to flatten the rate of this virus spreading.

Self Quarantine Tips

1. Pick Up a Book: I know we all have them, the ones we bought but never actually read. Now’s the time my friends. Whether during nap-time, morning or right before bed, get lost in another story other than your own.
2. Start a new show: Refer to #1 first, but after you’ve done this pick a new show you’ve been wanting to start, put your comfy lounge pants on and make a bowl of popcorn. A few suggestions we love are Better Call Saul, Big Little Lies, Either of the American Crime Stories, Ozark, Stranger Things, etc. I’ve also got The Good Place, Russian Doll, Grace and Frankie and Dead to Me on my list. If all else fails, try Game or Thrones or watch a cooking show. They are oddly therapeutic.
3. Write and then write some more. You don’t have to be writing a novel, but I’ve heard so many people say they’ve been journaling during this time. It’s so relieving to get your thoughts down on paper. Maybe you can cry into your journal while writing, or be angry. Put it on paper and I promise you, you’ll feel better. I’ve been doing this since September and it’s helped me with grief, anger and sadness a ton. Plus, wont it be interesting to let your grandchildren read about this pandemic one day?
4. Make a new recipe. I know, grocery stores are crazy right now, but you know those cookbooks you never open? Open them, turn on some Frank Sinatra and get to work. Oddly therapeutic.
5. Organize and de-clutter. WE NEVER MAKE TIME FOR THIS. So, now is the time. Make a list of everything in your home that needs purging, organizing and just rearranging. Then, tackle one thing a day. Maybe it’s a dresser, or the kitchen junk drawer. Just one thing a day, then mark it off. We have plenty of days ahead and your house will thank you for it.
6. Wash the linens. I know, I know. “How does this help me keep my sanity?” Because it’s an accomplishment and they need to be washed, steamed and rehung. You know you’ve been avoiding it and having them clean is oddly satisfying.
7. Puzzles or games, too. Relaxing, frustrating and good ole’ American fun. You can get boatloads here.
8. Socialization. Okay, you can’t go spend time with your girlfriends, but thanks to modern technology, you can still see them. My girlfriends and I face-timed for over an hour last night and while it felt silly, we laughed, chatted and it felt like we were together because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you’re in the same room or even house.
9. Deep Breaths. Even when we’re not experiencing a social pandemic, I like to practice deep breathing when I feel like I’m about to loose it. It helps calm my nerves. I’ve heard great things about the calm app, but breathing in and out for a minute does wonders.
10. Get Outside/Be active. If you can, as much as you can, at a safe distance from everyone else doing the same thing. Bad weather? Do a HIIT workout in your living room.
11. Laugh, Be silly, Love. Turn on the music after dinner and just dance, sing and laugh. It’s the best medicine and makes me feel better (and out of breath).
12. Shower and get dressed in something other than PJs. I took a long hot shower the other day, then got dressed in real clothes, did my makeup and hair and honestly felt a lot better about wearing PJs for five days straight prior. It’s amazing what a little self love will do for the soul.
13. Give yourself some space and time. You’re stuck inside with most of your family and you need alone time. Make rules around that, and take some much needed alone time, but don’t forget to repay the time to your significant other (they need it, too!)
14. Count Your Blessings. Maybe you can tie this into #3 and write them (they say it sinks in more). But, remembering that you are healthy, happy and safe inside has to be somewhat eye opening when so many are not.
15. Establish a new routine. I saved this one for last because it’s most likely the most important in terms of keeping sane. You MUST have routine and sense of self during all this. Whatever routine you had prior is likely out the window right now and that’s okay, but I promise if you establish a new one, you’ll feel better. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, just simply a routine that you follow to feel more human and whole. Right now, mine looks like this: Wake up, make bed, work for 30-40 minutes until P gets up…yada, yada, yada. Sure, everyday differs to a degree, but knowing what’s in store for the day gives me a sense of adulting and I feel better about our current world situation.

I’d love it you could share what you’ve been doing to stay sane while #stayingin. Who knows, your comment could save someone else’s sanity.

Should I have added drink lots of coffee to the list? Because that’s what I’m about to do.

Do you have any self quarantine tips?  Let me know in a comment below!