staying at homeDuring this time of uncertainty and social distancing, a lot of us are considering how best to use our time wisely while staying at home.  There are many posts from my professional organizer colleagues on this subject. And who better to provide ideas for productivity than professional organizers!

There are those that have employers that allow them to work from home. That’s great because they aren’t losing pay and have tasks, and maybe virtual meetings to attend to.  They can easily find ways to be productive while staying at home.

Others that don’t have the option of working from home, have a different set of circumstances that may cause a lot of fear, overwhelm, stress and anxiety. If they can’t go to work, they don’t get paid which presents another set of issues.

We are constantly inundated with updated information with this ever-changing situation, which adds to our increasing stress levels.  You can’t get away from it and I’m not saying you should.  Knowledge is power, and staying abreast of the situation can help everyone get through it.  Stay updated but don’t neglect everything else in your life. Try to get your mind off of the negativity that’s spreading like wildfire.

Realize the benefits of staying at home and getting things done that you wouldn’t have been able to do with your hectic life.  What you will do with your time is different for everyone.  Being productive, not just busy, is a great way to take your mind off of a situation that you have little control over, and to do your part by helping to stop the spread of this virus.

There is a list below that may help. Some of these suggestions may seem like just being busy during downtime.  However, downtime is not wasted time, it helps you to recharge and regroup.  If you see something here that you hadn’t thought of, or maybe something not on the list, please share your ideas in the comment box below.

  • If you have kids, play games with them. This will not only relieve your stress, but burn off some of their energy and relieve their stress as well.  They are also getting bombarded with negativity from reactions in all forms of the media if they are older.  The younger ones may not be as connected, but they pick up on your emotions and it can cause them stress as well.
  • Tackle an indoor or an outdoor project you wanted or needed to do but couldn’t find the time. Get the kids involved if you have them. Kids typically like to help their parents and when you make a game of it, they love being a part of whatever you’re doing as long as it doesn’t seem like work!
  • Watch movies, especially comedies. Laughter is really the best medicine!
  • If you have a hobby, work on a project, or organize your spaces and tools.
  • Make some phone calls to family and friends that you haven’t talked to for a while. They may be feeling isolated so a call from you may be just what they needed.  This is really important for our older generation. For them especially, staying at home is critical.  For those in care facilities, they may not be allowed visitors even from family, so calling them regularly will ensure they don’t feel abandoned.
  • Make sure to exercise and eat healthy. This should be a part of your regular regime but it’s more important now than ever. Search Pinterest for some healthy recipes, exercises and fun activities.
  • Meditation has wonderful benefits. Not only does it relieve stress, but there are meditations for many aspects of daily living.  Some are geared for motivation, focus, mindfulness, boosting self-esteem, confidence or to provide energy.
  • Take the dog for a walk, or play fetch in your yard. Petting a dog or cat is known to lower blood pressure and will relax you.