7 Ideas to Help You Make The Most of Your Quarantine Time

If you’re following CDC recommendations, or a local “shelter in place” order, you’re probably about a week into your 2-8 week life of seclusion. Commuting is already a distant memory, as are restrictive pants.

It’s easy to fall into a pattern of junk food, movie watching, and sleeping in. But now is not the time to become complacent. Hopefully you’re fully prepared as the restrictions come at us fast and furious, so you don’t have to be out foraging with the panic-stricken public.

But what’s the best way to spend all that free time that you used to pine for?

1. Get Organized

Now is a great time to organize your home, your mind, and your supplies.

Take stock of what you have, what you need, what’s expired, and how long you can be sequestered. Rid yourself of unnecessary clutter and streamline how you live.

Chances are that if you don’t need something when you’re home 24 hours/day, you don’t need it at all.

RELATED: How to Make Commercial Grade Hand Sanitizer

2. Get to Know Your Gear

If you are prepared in a meaningful way, you have gear that you should be familiar with and comfortable using.

Firearms should be cleaned and stored safely, with proper ammunition readily available. Knives and multi-tools have different handles and features that you should understand fully.

Most importantly, you should know where everything is and have quick access to it. What good is a tarp if you don’t know if it’s in the garage or the basement?

3. Make a Family Plan

If you’ve never made or discussed a plan with your family for different emergency situations, now is the time. A global pandemic changed our world in under a week; a house fire would change your world in under an hour, and a home invasion in less than 10 minutes.

Be prepared for all scenarios, and clearly communicate expectations to family members.

4. Make Exercise a Priority

If you truly want to be prepared for anything, your physical strength and ability need to be at their peak. Make time for strength training, stretching, agility, and endurance exercises.

With gyms closed, you may need to get creative, but more online workout tools are available than ever. Body weight exercises can be done anywhere and with few or no pieces of equipment.

5. Educate Yourself

Stay on top of what’s happening in the world, and take this opportunity to learn.

Read blogs and books. Learn a new language. Listen to podcasts. Mold your mindset and form opinions.

Make a list of things you’ve wanted to learn more about, and check them off as you research.

6. Stay Tuned In

Major crises are a great distraction tool used by politicians. Legislation that would normally raise eyebrows can be pushed through with barely a blink when the public is consumed by something else.

Pay extra attention to bills being introduced to Congress at this time.

7. Don’t Overreach

Don’t view these 8 weeks as your only chance to get in shape, learn how to cook, read 20 books, etc.

For many of us, this is much-needed time to relax and reconnect with family. Goals are great, and don’t lose sight of yours, but also make time for the people who mean the most to you.

Enjoy some of the spring that you might have missed by being in an office. Life is about the little things, and this is an opportunity to embrace those little moments.

However you choose to spend your time in Quarantine, try to get outside each day. Spend time with your family and eat a balanced diet. If you do nothing else, these 3 things will help keep you happy and healthy.

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