How to Have a Quality Quarantine

"It's Essential You Stay Home" Message

Like most of us, I am experiencing a spectrum of emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some things I'm doing to make the quarantine more enjoyable:

1. Sign up for a Quarantine Pen Pal. I heard about this on a podcast, and have been exchanging emails with my pen pal, who is from Texas. It's great to hear from someone in a different part of the country, and I feel like coming out of this experience with a new friend is the best silver lining possible!

2. Start a new hobby, or pick up an old one. I have been doing a bit of watercolor painting, and it's amazingly relaxing. Try knitting, playing an old musical instrument, or writing a letter.

3. Start a fitness challenge with family members or friends. This is a wonderful way to keep in touch with people you care about, and try to maintain your fitness level and habits throughout this time. You can set personal, overarching goals (example: running three times/week), and also set daily challenges (example: spend one hour outdoors, drink eight cups of water, etc). You and your fitness challenge partners can rotate responsibility for choosing the daily challenge.

4. Cook some new recipes. I have enjoyed making Slow Cooker Healthy Taco Casserole, Instant Pot Jerk Chicken and Mango Salsa, and Superpower Blueberry Muffins.

I hope these simple ideas help you think outside of the box and make the best of the quarantine!

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