Life as we knew it flew out the window a few weeks ago when the mandated quarantine began in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. No more school for children, working at home (if at all) for parents, and grocery shopping conditions like something you’d see in a post-apocalyptic movie.
The suddenness, along with the dramatic nature of these changes, have thrown many people into a tailspin. The tried and true daily habits that brought form, function, and familiarity to our lives have gone. How do we manage in this new reality, even if it is temporary?
To maintain some semblance of discipline and productivity, I recommend creating a Quarantine Routine. How does that saying go about desperate times and desperate measures??
But perhaps you are wondering, why bother creating a specific routine when these limitations will be lifted in a matter of weeks? Here are several reasons –
- It’s a way of having control over an aspect of our lives, when so much is out of our control
- It creates a feeling of normalcy in extraordinary conditions
- We are able to stay on track with the things that are important to us so that we don’t emerge from this imposed cocoon far from where we want to be
- It develops our muscles for adaptivity; a key skill in thriving in different conditions
- We are modeling for our children how to meet a challenge and not be overwhelmed by it
So what would a Quarantine Routine look like? What exactly am I suggesting?
Please know I would not presume to tell you how to specifically structure your day. However, what I will lay out here is the broad framework for you to consider, and apply to your individual circumstance, in a way that makes sense for you and your family. What we are looking for here is an intelligent middle ground, between our “old lives” and a quarantine quagmire of not showering for days and record breaking binge-watching.
Possible Quarantine Routine Components:
Regular wake up time. Whether it’s an hour or more after your alarm used to go off, that’s fine, but do keep a regular time to start your day.
Centering practice. This can take a number of forms, but is key to maintaining a sense of steadiness during the quarantine. Meditation, journaling, yoga, or just sitting in stillness outside with your morning coffee are all ways to bring your awareness within, and set a peaceful, purposeful tone for your day.
Productivity “sets.” Whether you are home schooling your children, doing work for your job or perhaps filing for unemployment insurance, these work periods are best when set for a specific amount of time, which of course is up to you. Personally, I like productivity sets of just less than one hour. I use the timer on my phone to keep me on track and focused.
Relaxation breaks. While we might not have allowed ourselves these breaks normally, these are not normal times. I believe it is important to give ourselves time to just be, to reach out to loved ones we are not able to see during these weeks, to read, play, get outside or just chill.
Exercise! This one is non-negotiable for mental health and creating a good mood. Fortunately, spring has sprung and unless you have serious seasonal allergies, reconnecting with nature, through a walk, hike, bike ride, gardening, or other outdoor activity is a wonderful way to ground yourself. Hello, endorphins.
Have disciplined eating times. I know this from my own experience, it is super easy to find yourself in front the pantry or fridge multiple times through the day. Yet if we are grazing out of fear, boredom, or frustration, we can end up putting on the pandemic pounds, or the quarantine fourteen, if we do not create a healthy structure for our eating habits.
These general guidelines are to help you create a plan that works for you and your family. Each of us is different, yet each of us wants to be happy, peaceful, and to enjoy our lives as much as we can, even during these unusual times.
If you would like some support or help in dealing with the pandemic or any issue, please reach out to schedule a coaching call. It would be my honor to talk with you.
