The Art of Staying In

The art of staying in begins with following the government’s precautions and staying at home and maintaining your distance from others unless you absolutely must leave your house. Are you looking for ways to make the experience of being cooped up at home a little less stifling? Surprisingly, you don’t have to be glued to the TV or social media to pass the time! Experts weighed in on how they would “replicate the pleasures of socializing in the absence of actually meeting up with friends.” A few tips for thriving at home are listed for you below.

1. The Art of Staying in…While “Meeting up” with Friends.

Even though bars and restaurants have temporarily closed their doors to dine-in guests, that doesn’t mean you can’t share a bite to eat and some beverages with friends. People may actually be more inclined to reach out to friends while they are stuck at home. And all of a sudden everyone so badly wants to meet for coffee or lunch (because we can’t!) but there are ways to do that without breaking protocol. Calling and texting your friends regularly is great, keep in contact with people so they know you are thinking of them and genuinely care. But during quarantine, it will be even more meaningful to set aside a time to video chat with friends. It may seem odd to schedule time with friends, but while maintaining your distance from the public right now you won’t simply run into them. Dining with a companion is a great opportunity to connect with others. Apps like Skype, Zoom, and Google Duo make it possible for you and a friend to make dinner at your respective homes, and then sit down to enjoy a meal while speaking “face-to-face.”

2. Communicate in Multiple Ways.

Setting aside blocks of time to communicate with friends and family is meaningful. But make sure you are also reaching out in little ways, on a regular basis as well. Send a funny link or thoughtful message over text, even a card in the mail. Another fun idea is to watch a show or movie with a friend or family member over video chat. Maybe you and a close friend like the same shows, find a new series to binge-watch and set aside a time you are both able to sit down and watch it. Providing your own commentary, thoughts, and opinions on with a fellow fan is a great way to pass the time.

3. Make Connections in your own Home.

The art of staying in is heavily influenced by enjoying your space and the people you surround yourself with. While your schedule isn’t nearly as hectic as it normally is, re-connect with the family or friends who actually live with you. These relationships often don’t get nurtured the way they should because we are constantly in one another’s hair. Use this opportunity to become better acquainted with your housemates. Take turns choosing what the household does for fun one evening, take turns making dinner, and work together on DIY projects. This will help everyone learn more about each others’ interests and actually take the time to make everyone feel included.

4. Avoid the Same Daily Routine

Now is as good a time as any to get into a healthy routine. But be careful about how monotonous this routine becomes. Find a change of scenery as often as possible, and try your hand at a different project each day. Make sure you are able to get at least one hour of exercise each day, which is a great way to switch up your routine. Change your workout daily to target different muscles and give others a rest. When you’re not getting your exercise, read books, educate yourself on different countries and cultures (that will certainly provide a change of scenery!), or work on projects around the house that you never seem to find time to get to. If you are able to work from home and need something to change up your workday, get yourself ready in the morning as if you were going into the office. You will feel more alert and productive if you are fully awake and refreshed when you start your day.

5. Enjoy Some Alone Time.

We can all think of a time when we were in a social situation that we were scrambling to find a way out of. Take this time to be grateful that you can have your own space to clear your head for a bit without the hustle and bustle of the office, traffic, and shopping malls. You also have far more time to do things you enjoy that you may not be able to do when you have a full work week in front of you or many events to attend. Try mastering the art of staying in by being productive at home, enjoying some peace and quiet, and maybe even pampering yourself.

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