Social distancing has been a challenging test for Americans. With Virginia under “stay-at-home” orders, most of us have been home for a longer stretch of time than we ever have before. That said, it’s comforting to know that as a society, we are going through this trying time together. Unfortunately, that also means we’re bored, anxious, antsy and unsure what to do with ourselves as a collective as well, which is why we’ve compiled a list of activities based on interest so regardless of your personality type, we’re got you covered.
For the Neat Freaks
Suddenly your habit of disinfecting everything over and over again doesn’t seem so bad does it? It’s like you’ve been preparing for this moment for your entire life.
Here are some ideas of what to clean after you think you’ve cleaned everything:
- Wipe down your blinds and air vents and hand wash your curtains
- Clean your electronics! Your remote control, AirPods, computer keyboard, chargers, smart home devices, phone, tablet, etc.
- Deep clean kitchen cabinets and reorganize. Map out where things will go before putting them back to speed up the process and make your overall kitchen experience more efficient.
- Remove coffee and tea stains from mugs, here’s how: pour a quarter cup of water, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 drops of dish soap and 2 drops of vinegar into a cup and scrub until clean. Your dishes will be sparkling before you know it!
- Clean the hair from hairbrushes. When the hair is removed, soak the hairbrush in shampoo for 10 minutes and rinse to remove oil and residue that’s been embedded into the brush for years.
- Wash your makeup tools. La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Purifying Cleanser is a great brush and sponge cleanser.
- Have leather furniture? You can remove scuffs by using some shoe polish.
- Oil stains stuck on the floor? Use some coke! Here’s how.
- Clean your shoes! Here’s how to clean every shoe type.
For the Productivity Champions
It can be difficult to feel productive when at home all day. I often equate number of hours in the office to how productive I’ve been on a particular day, but your career or work doesn’t have to be the only definition of productivity.
By following through with these activities, you’ll get that feeling of having accomplished something:
- Create a schedule and follow through everyday. My schedule typically starts with waking up at 6 AM each day, showering, sitting down to work, having coffee and taking breaks around the same time throughout the day, having dinner and movie time with my family and sleeping by 11 PM sharp. Keeping on schedule will help you feel like “business as usual”. From a scientific perspective, maintaining a strict schedule will help to reduce underlying anxiety.
- Manage your time wisely. If you have set aside 1 hour to watch TV, be careful that it does not turn into 3 hours or before you know it you’ve watched TV from sunrise to sundown, and you’ll have to peel yourself off the couch.
- If these tips haven’t given you that feeling of productivity, follow some suggestions under the Neat Freaks category. Cleaning is the ultimate home-productivity activity.
- Work out! The satisfaction that’s felt when you complete your daily workout is unmatched thanks to the endorphins that are released as you sweat. Need some quarantine-friendly fitness advice? Read below!
For the Fitness Buffs
- Have you always wanted to be the working out type? Well, here’s how to get started: Couch-to-5K (C25K)! This running program is designed to take you from the couch to consistently running for 30 minute in just 9 weeks. Given the pace at which things are progressing, you may even complete the program before we’re allowed back into public spaces.
- Looking to stay active throughout the day? Break up your day by taking 2 or 3 30-minute walks throughout the day. Not only is fresh air an effective way to reduce stress levels, but seeing other people (from at least 6 feet away of course) will help this quarantine experience feel less lonely. If your neighborhood is getting a bit too mundane for you, explore other neighborhoods! I love to drive around a bit until I find a neighborhood I’ve never been to. Still not enough excitement? Find a park (as long is it’s not closed)!
- Go online! There are plenty of incredible work out classes you can do from the comfort of your smartphone, iPad or computer. Best of all, online classes tend to be super affordable. We love staying active via online yoga and HITT!
Yoga: Janice Liou (Instagram: @janiceliou) is body goals, which is why we work out to her yoga trainings religiously! Finding an instructor that knows how to teach everyone from novices to the most advanced yoga masters is quite rare. After just 4 weeks of taking Janice’s classes, I can honestly say I’ve stepped up my yoga game tremendously.
Paid Classes Janice’s YouTube Channel
HIIT: Erika Hammond (Instagram @erikaannhammond) will change your world. If you’re looking for game changing HIIT workouts, look no further. Her Instagram TV videos have plenty of 30+ minute workouts for you to follow. You need nothing but a mat and your body, so what’re you waiting for?!
For the Social Butterflies
We know, we know…social distancing is the most important mantra of the moment, which means we can’t be social IRL (in real life). Luckily, we live in an age of lightning fast tech at our fingertips. Here are some of our favorite suggestions for staying connected with friends and family across the globe during this time:
- Group video chats via FaceTime, Zoom Chat or the Houseparty app! Keeping in touch is easier than ever with these free tools. On Apple’s FaceTime you can chat with up to 32 people at a time. The free version of Zoom allows up to 100 people at a time. Finally, Houseparty allows you to talk to 8 people at a time.
- Netflix Party! Netflix has changed the way we watch shows and movies with others. Visit www.netflixparty.com to synchronize playback with friends and family as you watch shows together. Netflix Party also adds group chat functionality so you can talk to your group while watching!
- Play an online game with friends! Our favorite recommendation is Cards Against Humanity online or Mario Kart on your smartphone.
We hope these tips help make living through this pandemic a bit easier! We hope everyone safe and healthy!
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