As certain parts of our state begin to slowly reopen, it’s important for each of us to continue to do our part. COVID-19 is still a reality, and we can continue to slow its spread by practicing hand hygiene and social distancing.
Employers are doing a lot of good by encouraging employees to continue working from home. It’s a great step for our community’s overall health, but it can be taxing on your own mental health. Creating a routine during these times can make you feel grounded every day, and add structure to the weeks ahead.
Plan Your Day
There are only so many hours in a day, but there are a ton of ways to fill it with meaningful activities.
- Morning routine — Fight the temptation to jump out of bed and start working immediately. Take time to ease yourself into the day. Try some simple stretches and make yourself a nice breakfast.
- Work — If you’re fortunate enough to still be working, make a plan for your work day. Stick to a set schedule so your work doesn’t spill into your time with family.
- Lunch break — Taking a lunch break gives your mind a rest from your busy day, and also provides you the nutrition and energy to tackle what’s on your plate for the afternoon. Beat daytime drowsiness!
- Time with the kids — Your kids are probably feeling more out of sorts than anyone right now. Holding them to a school and family schedule every day can help their sense of normalcy and make them feel safer.
- Time outside — Good weather is good for your mood. If the weather cooperates, try to get outside every day. Take a quick stroll around the neighborhood, or even just sit on your porch to enjoy the sun.
- Cooking dinner — Cooking can be a nice mental break from the day, especially if you’re doing it with loved ones. If you find yourself scrambling to get dinner on the table every night, try meal prepping on Sunday or freezing big batches of soups and stews.
- Bedtime — Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. 7–9 hours a night gives you energy for the day and boosts your immune system. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your kids’ sleep schedules, too.
Plan Your Week
Put some activities on your calendar that are good for your body and mind. They can really break up the monotony of staying at home.
- Working out — Physical fitness can help your mental health, too. Here are some tips for staying active at home, even if you don’t have any workout gear or equipment.
- Taking a walk — If you have time in the evening, taking a longer walk for an hour or two can clear your mind. You might even meet up with a friend and walk together while staying socially distant.
- Getting takeout — If you’re not used to cooking during the week, your routine has probably been thrown for a loop. It’s still safe to get curbside pickup from local restaurants if you need a break from the kitchen!
- Socializing — Whether you’re getting on the phone with a family member or video chatting with friends, adding social time to your routine can help stave off loneliness.
Plan Your Month
Add some of these ideas to your monthly calendar and give yourself dates to look forward to.
- Grocery shopping — Whether you’re having them delivered or going to the store, here’s how to stay safe when getting groceries. Make sure you pick up some fresh produce. You can even freeze most vegetables to use in the weeks ahead.
- Chatting with a therapist — Make mental health part of your routine. These are difficult times, and leaning on a therapist can truly help you cope with anxiety, frustration and loneliness you might be feeling.
- Trying an online event — There’s never been a better time to find new entertainment. Plenty of local businesses are offering their services online, from guided baking classes to trivia nights.
- Planning date night — Even if you see your partner every day, it’s still important to make special time for your relationship. One idea is to set up a movie night. Rent a movie you’ve both been meaning to see, and cook a nice dinner together to eat during the feature. if you’ve been sitting on a bottle of something nice, now’s a great time to open it, too.
Your physical and mental health is the most important thing to Community. If you’d like to learn more about COVID-19 and the precautions we’re taking for our patients, read our COVID-19 FAQ.
