The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s works and social lives. It is uncertain when it will end, so, naturally, it will affect our lives in different ways. Throughout the world, governments implemented community quarantine and social-distancing guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus. People are isolated in their homes and restricted from going outside. Both employers and employees are inclined to work from their homes, and students have to learn online.
After more than a year of being stuck inside their houses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the new variant OMICRON, most of them are stuck in their homes feeling bored, demotivated and less productive.
Being stuck at home for a long time is difficult for most people because they are used in a remote setting. It feels tough to feel motivated and productive while living and working in a pandemic environment. You deal with lots of distractions, you feel bored and lonely, you have shuffling responsibilities from work and home, and you feel lonely due to lack of contact with your friends and co-workers.
Unsure of until when this pandemic will end. I’m sure you want to know how to be productive, motivated, and happy during quarantine.
Here is a guide to an effective home quarantine:
1. Have a daily routine
It can feel a little impossible to do and finish everything on your to-do list, but getting yourself into a routine is one of the ways to an effective home quarantine.
Having a solid daily routine gives you a sense of control. You’ll feel more productive and organize during a normal or a stressful situation.
One helpful activity is to make a list of the things that you normally do during the day. Include everything from waking up to preparing your meal to work. It is important to schedule a specific time to take care of those high-priority tasks.
While it’s important to list crucial tasks, make sure to include your leisure time. Watch your favorite Netflix series, listen to your favorite music, rest, take a walk, get in touch with your friends, or do your favorite hobby.
2. Exercise
It is important to stay physically active during a pandemic. Do some exercises to help you boost your energy and mood.
Normally, people go to the gym to burn off some stress and negative emotions. But due to community quarantine, fitness and activity centers are temporarily closed.
This pandemic you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise, you can do it in your homes too.
There are alternate exercises and fitness activities to stay active even at home. Walking around your house is one of the best alternative exercises for the treadmill. You can also follow online exercises. There are many free videos available on YouTube.
3. Discover new hobbies or rediscover old hobbies
Are you done with your work, studies, or house chores? Most of us have free time, but we don’t spend it wisely. Having a hobby is a great pastime, and it can make your home quarantine more exciting and gives you unexpected joy. You can learn new hobbies or rediscover your old hobbies. Whatever interests you.
A hobby is usually defined as an enjoyable leisure activity that we engage involuntarily and consistently when we are free from the demands of work or other responsibilities. Your hobby can be your everyday activity- learn an instrument, DIYs, journal, meditate, or paint.
Hobbies allow you to destress yourself while remaining mentally productive. Doing something you are passionate about after your work or free time can rejuvenate your mind and help prepare you to handle challenges in the future in a better way.
When you are skilled and good at something, or it just makes you happy and relaxes during your pastime, it motivates you to be creative and productive at the same time.
4. Binge-watch your favorite TV series
Some movie theaters are still closed to fight the pandemic, but we have Netflix, DisneyPlus, and other streaming sites now to keep yourselves entertain.
Binge-watch your favorite TV shows whether you want to laugh, bond with your family, or just want to fight your boredom.
5. Read a book
Reading a book can take you out of yourself for a while. Unlike watching TV, reading lets you imagine. When you read, you come up with your own visual images and visual settings. You can even travel to any period that you want to go to by just picking up the right book. Your imagination is unlimited when you read.
Reading is a peaceful yet enjoyable pastime, it also grows your vocabulary. You can learn so many new words from reading. When there’s an unknown word, you can look it up and it increase your vocabulary.
It’s not too late to start reading, create a reading bucket list now. You can read stocked books, buy secondhand or brand new, or just read using online reading platforms.
6. Clean
Did you know that Japan is the cleanest country in Asia? For Japanese people evil is associated with dirtiness, good with cleanliness.
Cleanliness gives rise to a good character by keeping body, mind, and soul clean and peaceful. Maintaining cleanliness is the essential part of healthy living because it is the cleanliness only which helps to improve our personality by keeping clean externally and internally.
This pandemic, being clean and hygienic is necessary that’s why cleaning is important. It is also a good habit and a pastime.
Messy surroundings can cause stress. Always make time for cleaning for your health’s sake. I know it can be an annoying practice for some but starting your day by cleaning can make your whole day relax.
Don’t just sit there, it’s time to clean your house!
7. Stay connected with your loved ones
Being socially connected is one of the fundamental human needs. Humans are inherently social creatures. We crave connection and belonging. The health benefits of socialization can drastically improve our lives.
But with the enhanced community quarantine being enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are stuck in their homes, and maintaining their social life is challenging.
Isolation can have a negative impact on our lives. It is one of the reasons why people feel demotivated because of their disconnection with their friends or loved ones.
You don’t have to go out to stay connected with your family or friends \ during a pandemic. The safest way to socialize during a pandemic is to make some video calls. Lots of apps allow video calls, such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Messenger.
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