Humans are creatures of habit. Change can be really hard for us, and routines are very helpful for our mental health and they establish a sense of normality.
Coronavirus has upended all of our daily lives and forced us to drastically alter our routines. This is one of the reasons quarantine has been so difficult—at least, it has for me personally. It always takes me a while to adjust to a change of scenery. I’ve found it helps me to find little things to look forward to each day and incorporate into a daily routine. This way, even in the midst of huge uncertainty, I know there are certain things I can always count on.
Here are some of the things I’ve been including in my quarantine routine!
Working Out
The first thing I do every morning when I get up is to get my workout in. I’ve made this a habit for years now. I’ve found that it really helps me feel more energized to start my day. It also helps me a lot with mental health. I like to switch up my workout so that I don’t get bored, but having this as a regular part of my day gives me a sense of stability. It’s a small thing that I can control.
Want to work out but don’t know where to start? Try this ten-minute workout from Chloe Ting!
Breakfast Stories
You guessed it…I am one of those people that posts her breakfast on her Instagram story every day. Sometimes it’s repetitive, and sometimes it’s the same bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios every day for a week. Even so, it’s fun for me to experiment with different filters, stickers, and arrangements. I like to include my cup of coffee and the flowers on the kitchen table. I used to worry that it was annoying for my followers, but then I realized that if it makes me happy, it doesn’t matter what other people think. Also, if this little bit of routine is helpful to me to make, it might also be helpful for others to see!
Daily Walk
One of my favorite things I’ve been doing during quarantine is going on a daily walk. My town has a lot of pretty nature areas and trails, and being stuck at home rather than at college has given me the chance to take advantage of them. I started this about the second week after being at home, and it allowed me to get away from my family and have some alone time, move my body, and get outside. I’ve also been listening to podcasts during these walks, which has been a nice escape from reality. And just like my breakfast, I’ve been posting a daily story with a picture from my walk!
These are just a few of the things I’ve been doing to try and establish a sense of normality in my life during quarantine. While it doesn’t change the fact that this situation sucks, and that we’re all missing out on a lot of things because of COVID-19, having a few things in my routine that I enjoy and can do every day helps me to get through it. Other things I’ve seen people incorporating into their quarantine routines include journaling, cooking, and virtual zoom hangouts—find whatever brings you joy, and do it!
Quarantining? Here are more tips from your friends at GirlSpring:
- Five Routines That Are Still Helping Me In Quarantine
- How to Stay Active and Healthy During Quarantine
- Self Care and Dealing with Family During Quarantine
