Self Isolating? Here’s How To Cope
With COVID-19, otherwise known as the Coronavirus, causing businesses, schools, universities and other public institutions to close the government is advising we undertake self-isolation in order to slow down, and hopefully stop the spread of the virus. So we’re looking at a few weeks of staying indoors with the family.
As much as we all love our families, spending too much time in anyone's company can lead to high tensions. So here are some things you can do to keep everyone amused, and avoid the dreaded cabin fever setting in during the self isolation phase.
Adopt a New Routine
Most families wake up, grab breakfast and then it’s out the door to school and work in the morning. With no school or work to go to, you have to adopt a new routine. If you have kids it’s important to encourage a normal enough school day routine at home. Get them to do any assigned work and study at the times they would usually be doing this in school. Take breaks and lunch at the same times also. This is also helpful to those of you working from home rather than the office. Being somewhat strict with everyone’s routine means the adjustment of heading back to school and work will be that little bit easier.
Another helpful tip is to separate your spaces. You could work in the kitchen whilst kids sit at a desk in the sitting room (with the TV off) rather than their bedrooms. Staying in the one area too much, especially when venturing outdoors to public areas isn’t advised, can give anyone cabin fever, by adapting different areas of your house to your needs and keeping sleeping quarters separate it will be easier to keep tensions at bay.
Do the Things You’ve Been Putting On Hold
We all have that list of jobs we’ve been meaning to do around the house that life gets in the way of. Well, now is your chance to break out that list and start ticking things off. The best thing? You’re not alone. Grab the kids, your partner or housemates and get to work! It’s also a good chance to chat and bond whilst distracting you from the fact that you’re in self isolation.
Take Some Time For Yourself
If you’re in the house with kids, your partner or housemates it can feel as though you are all living in each other’s pockets. Heading to take a bath and locking the door behind you is a nice way to escape everyone else and take a little while for yourself. Head to your room with a good book, or take over the telly to watch your favourite show - all of this can give you a much needed break from everyone else. It’s important to remember that everyone in the house will need some time like this, especially if you have kids who aren’t interacting with their friends as they usually would with the school closures.
Remember, the government has advised that we all reduce the amount of time we spend outside in social settings and interacting with others so whether you believe you may have symptoms or not, isolating yourself and your family for a little while is a good idea.
This pandemic has lead everyone to be a bit more health conscious, so why not become proactive in your health routine and sign up to Jinga Life? The app allows you to record and track your and your family’s health all from the palm of your hand!