We are facing very strange and scary times, but as long as we are all doing our part, they don’t have to be. It can be easy to fall into a downward-spiral of over-eating, over-sleeping, loneliness, and depression. BUT, you can also take this as a time to catch up on those little to-dos that have been on your list for days, weeks, months, or even years! So we say, focus on the positive, stay healthy, and keep moving forward in this new way of life we’re all trying to get accustomed to. To do so, here are some tips and tricks!
Working From Home- First and foremost, if you are working from home, here are some vital tips. First, set up a designated work space, and if it can be in an extra room, even better! This will be a space everyone will know not to mess with. Two, if you have kids, get them on a schedule, that way you’ll have anywhere from 30 minutes to and hour before they move on to their next activity. And make sure to incorporate chores, or your home will end up looking like a tornado went though it. Lastly, get up and get ready for work as you normally would to set the tone for a productive day, and don’t forget to clock out at the end of the day!
Perfect for Kids- There are tons of great resources online to keep kids busy, and most importantly, learning while schools are closed. Our top two favorite are Storyline, where you can find illustrative videos of famous people reading kids books, and BrainPop an interactive website with topics like history, science and math. They also have videos and quizes!
Exercise- Ok, this one should be a no-brainer, we hope! But doing even a short 20 minute run, walk, or workout routine will work wonders for your mood and spirits! Take the dog, or yourself, out for a nearby hike, just keep in mind to follow social distancing guidelines.
Virtual Happy Hour- This is probably one of our favorites. We actually did this with our monthly Town Square Happy Hour. We coordinated a good time for everyone, and used Facebook Messenger to video chat everyone available. It was nice to actually see everyone after more than a week or so. And with all the platforms that have this capability (like Instagram, SnapChat, Whats App, Zoom, And FaceTime, of course), you’ll even feel guilty about not using before it to connect with faraway family! You’ll be pleasantly surprised about how much it can lift your spirits (pun intended).
Gardeing/ Herb Growing– Many people can argue that gardening is their therapy. And, isn’t it, really? You are putting in time, and effort, into something to bring it to life, and working on that process to reap your flowers and/or harvest, along with fulfillment. (P.S. Bonus! Our agents Leslie Cross and Ann Rey are experts, as they grew up in farms and have their own farms now! Contact them for tips!)
Home Decorating- This one is probably everyone’s favorite. NOW IS THE TIME TO DO ALL THOSE PROJECTS YOU HAVEN’T HAD ANY TIME TO DO! Paint that room, change the bathroom hardware, paint that closest, stain your chairs, etc, etc, etc… Organizing your home can also fall under this. File all those papers that have bee piling up somewhere. Organize the closets, throw out clothes that don’t fit anymore, and declutter. You have a ton of time to do it, and you’ll feel very accomplished at the end of your quarantine.
Crafts- We all know you have several saved pins of DIY projects on Pinterest. Now is your time. If you have kids, this is a great idea to get them involved and busy. Don’t have Pinterest? Check it out here.
Quarantine and Chill- Although we are not encouraging a tremendous amount of screen time, you now have the opportunity to watch everything in your queue. But, it’s not just that. Museums and plays are doing their part to help with the situation by streaming tours and performances. (Check out 10 of the world’s best virtual tours here, and streaming Broadway shows here and here. ) On top of that, many artists including John Legend and Chris Martin have live-streamed concerts from their home! (You can find those concerts here.) This will definitely be the go to for unwinding, keeping us entertained for hours end hours on end.
See, not so bad, right? We’ve got it all figured out for you!
Take this time to practice good ol’ self love, and embrace this much needed slow motion in society. We all needed it, including Mother Nature and our lovely home, planet Earth!
