Yes, this new staying home and social distancing is an adjustment for all of us. Some of us life with a houseful of people; some of us live alone. Some of us live in tiny apartments; some of us live in spacious homes.
But, however, wherever, and with whomever we live, we find ourselves at times irritated, bored, and often opening the refrigerator door or reaching for the remote.
Here are a few ideas to help maintain even emotions during this difficult time.
- Put on a playlist and dance. (It is so enjoyable to listen to songs of our youth, tunes we listened to over and over on the local AM stations.) There are many streaming options and it always seems to life my spirit. (plus it’s good for a cardiovascular health.)
- Call a friend. (make a list of people you’ve been meaning to call, especially older relatives and friends.) When you find yourself becoming restless, work your way down the to-call-list.
- Make a commitment to learn something new. Foster your curiosity. Think about something you’ve always wanted to learn and check out instructional videos on YouTube. It could be a card game or a language. Maybe a craft or computer program. (Most of us have a box of craft projects to finish stashed in the back of a closet. This is a great opportunity to complete them.)
- Get moving and get outside: Walk. Social distance properly and walk with a friend. Notice the bird songs. Smell some flowers. Look up at the clouds or the night sky.
- If you live with others, schedule a daily time to play games. (Many of my friends are finding this the most enjoyable part of their day.)
- Read a good book. (I know our libraries are closed right now, so search your shelves for something new or re-read an old favorite.)
- Plan a future event. Look ahead a begin planning something to do when we are free of these restrictions: a vacation, a weekend with the grandchildren, a dinner party or barbecue with neighbors, even visiting an older relative. Start a list. Be specific. Plan the menu, and so on. This helps us feel hopeful and optimistic.
- Conduct a 15 minute decluttering or deep cleaning of an area. (maybe the junk drawer, spice shelf, under the sink, bathroom vanity) Take a trash bag, set a timer, and GO!
- Set a daily schedule. (I find this especially helpful and productive.)
- Practice gratitude. Find three things to be thankful for each day. The research is clear on the positive benefits of establishing this mindset.
It’s a Fine Life.
By Kathleen Oswalt-Forsythe © April 16, 2020
A few Boredom Buster Ideas
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This is the current family favorite: all the kids and grandkids like playing this. (I am still in the novice stage, but I enjoy it.)