I really liked Chris Hadfield’s tip of “creating patterns and routines.” I recently read Atomic Habits by James Clear. The author suggests having separate spaces for different activities. I live in a smaller space, so I think it’s important to separate spaces for exercising, eating, or any other activity. I find it especially helpful now that I’ve been in the same place for quite a while.
Here’s your chance to offer your opinion on Colonel Hadfield’s tips or let us know how you’re coping (or not coping) with isolation. Reminder: we’re not looking for work tips. We’re just looking for tips that improve our experience in isolation!
Reach out and call people you haven’t talked to in a long time - old roommates, best friends from high school, etc. Find ways to help people who are in your normal social circles as well. Maybe they need a dinner or need their yard cleaned up.
Spend time outside and in the sun when possible. I live in PA so the weather is still between winter and spring (it lightly snowed a few days ago) but anytime I’m able to spend time outdoors, it really helps. Along with facetiming friends and family!
Take up new hobbies or revisit old ones you’ve been too busy to keep up with. Learn to cook/bake, read a book, as the weather is starting to warm up here in Ontario try your hand at gardening.
I am trying to keep my day as close to what is was before COVID-19, i.e. get up at same time, (shower, shave, etc., ) get ready like I was going to office, keep up exercise program (our company has offered 45 minutes exercise classes via zoom twice a week).
I am lucky I have a family with me at home. I see how it would be more difficult if I was single.
I have also used Microsoft Teams to reach out to others in the office so I can see a face instead of calling them.
As others have said I have caught up on some projects that I have not had time to do previously so that is good.
Taking lots of walks outside. Sending cards and small snacks/gifts to friends. Donating to charities that are helping those who are food insecure. Having lots of zoom calls with friends and family. Meditation and yoga.
Consistent with some of his advice, the two biggest helps for me have been 1) scheduling out small segments of my day (and enjoying small successes or a sense of accomplishment) and 2) making sure exercise is in the mix. I like the some of the other comments before that mention learning/trying new things -there are so many resources online to learn/try new things.
One thing that works well for me related to staying healthy is that I have a list of exercises that I intend to do every day, which I check off daily. If I miss a day, I do my best to catch up (do extra) the next day.
great tips from outer space! Our family has settled into a pretty set routine which keeps our kids secure and happy. In between we find other things to add some variety. A few days ago someone set up a literature themed, fun-for-kids conference call with other families in nearby apartments and we all took turns telling jokes & saying what’s their favourite book, then a fun quiz etc.
Having a routine has helped me. I still start work at the same time as I normally would. I am also trying to keep in touch with people as much as possible. I normally see my mum once a week and she is living on her own now so have been spending quite a bit of time on video calls to her. Not quite the same as popping in to see her but still nice.
I definitely take a lot more walks and talk (from a distance) to neighbors I’ve never talked to before. I am also eating local more now than prior. I always tried to eat local but now I do it way more frequently and talk to the owners who are usually working.
Keeping the work/life balance the same as usual has helped keep me focused and relaxed. Looking forward to more Spring weather to be able to enjoy the outside a bit more, but here in Chicago, that’s a day-by-day call!
I loved this! I feel like the most important thing I’ve been doing that has helped me is keeping a routine. Another thing I’m trying to do better with is not staying logged in to work; since there aren’t any kids to pick up or games to take them to, there can be an expectation to keep working on a project. Boundaries have been very crucial for me!
For me the most important thing is accepting this as a new reality, and not superimposing old restrictions on your new reality.
For example, I’m working at home, while my son is working through remote learning. Neither of us can pretend that this is business as usual. We have been adjusting our mental frame.
For example: I’m not home schooling; his teacher teaches and I facilitate his learning. My company accepts that I can’t be fully focused on work 9-5 with a 8yo in the house and is more than understanding about shared focus.
Above all be forgiving of yourself, and of each other. This is really tough.
Got to meet Chris at the Gatineau Airshow in 2019. What a beautiful individual. He was flying a Spitfire - dogfighting with an F18… (The F35 was the star of the show - but F18 was wicked ahsum).
Taking time to go for a walk and have some me time has been very helpful. I’ve also embraced that my daughter needs time with me during school time. Instead of fighting this, we’ve scheduled 30-45 minutes a day to work through her questions/challenges.
