Eight Survival Tips for the Isolated, by the Isolated

I have to say, this time of quarantine has honestly not been so bad. Because for the most part, nothing for me has changed.

February 2018, I became too sick to continue going to work. By March, I no longer even had a vehicle. It was just me and my baby home every day all day. And that’s how it’s been nearly every day for the past two years.

Now given, I was often too sick to even get out of bed. And yes, many days I had someone there to help me. But it never changed the fact that we were always home and rarely venturing out.

So when the world decided that staying home and limiting socialization would be the best way to help this pandemic, I honestly wasn’t fazed. I had two years of this under my belt. Two years of learning how to make the most of my time at home, defeat the boredom and laziness, and avoid going stir crazy.

And now, from one stuck-at-home person to another, I hope I can help you do the same and adjust to this new and current way of living that has been placed upon the world.

It begins with eight simple tips:

1.) Maintain a Schedule

The first key is to try not to stray too far from your current habits. If you’re used to setting your alarm for 7 every morning, keep on doing it.

As a mother of a young child, of course I don’t have much option on sleeping in. However, I do know how easy it can be to let your child climb in your bed as you flip on the tv for some cartoons to keep them entertained while you get some more rest in. Don’t let this go on for hours!

Set a time limit for your sake and theirs. If they get in bed at 6:00 am, tell yourself you will start the day at 7. Do not let the morning slip away.

Try to keep your day’s routine as close as you can to what you are already used to. The same goes for the nighttime. Knowing you may have to be up for 7 the next morning, don’t stay up till 2 am binge watching Netflix! Be reasonable and fair to your body and mind. Go to bed at a decent hour and allow yourself to recharge and wake up refreshed.

Don’t worry. Your whole week won’t remain that strict. Which brings me to tip number 2:

2.) Allow Off Days

Let’s assume you don’t work 24/7, 365 days a year in the real world. Let’s assume you do indeed have some off days. Keep taking them!

Even in the real world, life isn’t all about work. Allow yourself some guilt-free recreation and rest time.

We like to use our weekends off to spend together as a family. While Saturdays still tend to be more productive, Sundays are always a given day of relaxation. And while I can’t exactly plan my days due to my illness, I try to spend my Wednesdays taking it easy as a mid-week break.

By maintaining routine and allowing time to rest, you will find there can still be a healthy balance in a stay at home lifestyle that doesn’t lead to laziness.

3.) Get in 15 Minutes of Rest Every Day

Another way to help limit your down time is to allow yourself some down time.

Every day, take a moment to step aside from the world. Get off to a quiet place where you can be alone. No phone. No noise.

Sit back, close your eyes, and allow yourself to rest for fifteen minutes while you think of absolutely nothing. Just breathe. Just you.

Let your body unwind and let your mind be cleansed and renewed.

If you have trouble clearing your thoughts, try to think of the most neutral, beautiful things you can think of. Coffee pouring. Animals playing. Fields blowing in the wind.

When it’s over, approach the world as if a new day has begun.

4.) Get Outside

It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do. Sunshine or rain, get outside and breathe in the air. At least open a window!

Mornings are probably the most excellent time to step out. You can wake up with the rest of the earth, seeing the sun dry up the dew, still hearing the birds. It can feel invigorating. Kick it up a notch and use this time to do your morning exercises or stretches.

And just as mornings help wake you up, evenings help wind you back down into relaxation. After dinner, when the sun is hidden in the shade, go back out and feel the peace of the earth calming down again.

If you’re ever so daring and can handle the skies, feel free to even go out in the afternoon as well. Have a picnic lunch, walk off your lunch, or just soak up some sun and thaw out in its warmth.

Wouldn’t it even be nice to work outside? What’s stopping you?

5.) Stay Busy and Active

 Just like with work, you likely don’t just sit there all day. Odds are you have a to-do list of tasks that need to be accomplished each day you go in. Don’t stop now. Make sure you maintain this list, even if it only has two or three items on it each day. Keep yourself productive.

Get creative. Use this time to explore and learn your gifts. Enhance the skills you already have and see that even times of trouble can produce something beautiful.

Get active. If you have always complained of never having time to exercise before, well, here you go! Pick a time of the day, set an alarm, and get to it. There are countless tutorials online, and you can always read our body posts for inspiration and motivation!

And isn’t now a perfect time to take care of all the things at home that you never had time to do before? Perhaps clearing out all of the clutter that has caused you so much stress all of those days you would come home from work? Or maybe finally trying out one of the countless ideas you’ve pinned on Pinterest.

In staying busy and active, you will be able to fully utilize your day, avoiding the fall into the pit of laziness and boredom.

Remember, an object in motion tends to stay in motion, but an object at rest tends to stay at rest! Get up and get active!

6.) Maintain Regular Mealtimes

I know. Everyone stuck at home feels the unnatural need to live in the kitchen. How else would we survive being home all day if we weren’t constantly snacking? Guess what, you can.

When you wake up, eat a good breakfast (tips here!). Start your day off on the right foot. Maintain your normal lunch and dinner times and keep your body on the same cycle it is used to. Don’t forget to include filling protein at every meal and nutritious fruits and veggies to keep your health intact.

While you are more than able to enjoy a couple of snacks in the day to keep your metabolism going, don’t abuse this newfound freedom of food. It can get out of hand very quickly, and much of today’s “snack” food contains nothing but addictive properties to make you want more without ever keeping you full.

Remember, food fuels your mood. Think very carefully about what kind of mood you want to promote during this time.

7.) Keep Up Self Care

Oh how tempting it is to stay in your pajamas all day. And as one who is used to spending many days in bed sick, I know this one is completely true. But I also know when you look blah, you feel blah.

Take a shower! Fix your hair, brush your teeth, change your clothes. Don’t let yesterday seep into today. Start each day fresh and new, and finish just as clean for tomorrow.

My favorite way to get motivated for the day ahead is to put on workout clothes, including exercise shoes. Nothing makes me feel more ready to take on the day than looking at it as a challenge that can be overcome. It wakes me up, boosts my mood, and tricks my mind into thinking big things are about to be accomplished. Give it a try!

8.) Take One Day at a Time

Trust me, as a chronically ill person, I know planning your days isn’t always easy. But don’t let it stop you. Just do the best you can with the time that you have, and try to see the beauty and gift of what this time really is – More time for yourself? More time with your family? More time with God?

Treasure it. Make the most of it. Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has it’s own worries. Focus on today.