Stuck at home? 7 dos and don’ts to make the best of social distancing
While the idea of being able to binge-watch your favorite Netflix show and staying home doing nothing for a few weeks sounds like heaven, it can get old…quickly. Social distancing may sound like a strange term, but it really just means all of us keeping to ourselves as much as possible until the worst of this is over.
Do I need to socially distance, even if I feel healthy?
Yes. Social distancing isn’t just about protecting you, it’s about reducing the total number of people who get sick and slowing down the spread of COVID-19. Keeping your distance—by staying home as much as you can and aiming for at least six feet between you and others when possible—will lessen the burden on our healthcare system and ultimately reduce the number of deaths related to COVID-19. Most importantly, stay away from those in the higher risk groups for complications and death from COVID-19. Even if you feel healthy, you could be carrying the disease to others. Higher risk groups include:
- Anyone over age 65 (e.g., your grandparents or parents).
- People with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and liver and heart disease.
- Those with weakened immune systems (e.g., people with autoimmune conditions).
So, what to do while you’re spending a lot more time on your own? We’ve got you covered.
Do: Create a daily routine
Establish a daily routine that will help keep you busy. Wake up, make your bed, make yourself breakfast, exercise, practice some self-care, and schedule in time to do your online classwork. Create a routine that works best for you.
Don’t: Lose connection
Just because you’re isolating doesn’t mean you can’t socialize. Keep in touch with your family and friends from afar: Call, video call, or text them!
Do: Exercise
Create a lit playlist with your favorite jams to listen to while you work out at home. Don’t know what exercises you enjoy? Don’t worry, CampusWell has your back! We have plenty of videos you can follow with a variety of different exercises. This is a great time to experiment and try out a new exercise in the comfort of your own home.
Here’s a list of different workouts you can try out:
Don’t: Panic
Remain calm and keep a positive attitude. Find information from reliable resources. Understanding the virus can reduce anxiety. If you are under the age of 65 and healthy, you are at low risk of complications from COVID-19.
If you do feel anxious, try meditating!
Do: Stock up on all your daily needs
Remember when you are social distancing, you should stay home and avoid contact with others. Stock up on your prescriptions, non-perishable food, water, and your favorite snacks of course. Try out grocery delivery services if you need more food items; just keep in mind that they may have longer waits than usual so try to order early.
Don’t: Online shop
While it’s good to stock up on essentials, try not to go crazy online shopping. Watch out for sites like Amazon and its quick purchase button. Shopping can sometimes be used as a coping mechanism, so be mindful of your purchases in order to keep up with your financial wellbeing.
Do: Catch up on all the things you’ve been meaning to do
Make the most of your free time! This is a great chance to finally start a hobby or read a book you’ve been putting off for weeks. Reorganize your closet, start a DIY project, or create that blog!