With the COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak leading students into a period of mass quarantine and social isolation, it can be difficult to fill the time once held by work and school. So, now could be the perfect time to reconnect with yourself or maybe pick up a hobby.

Sometimes the anxiety and cabin fever can become hard to manage when you are social distancing, especially if you are normally an outgoing person. So, maybe try reaching out to people in your life through social media or even a phone call or text, just to catch up and relieve some of the loneliness you may be feeling.

Another good activity to combat anxiety could be through exercises like yoga or pilates with demonstrations and lessons available through YouTube. If you find more intense workouts relaxing, then lifting weights and cardio could also be a great way to keep energized and positive.

Gardening can also be an amazing hobby to pick up if you are looking to distract yourself or reconnect with nature. It can also be genuinely rewarding to grow your own fruits and vegetables to feed yourself or your family, which would also help cut down on grocery costs and  shopping trips.

Now is also a good time to invest yourself in a new book or reawaken your love of reading. Taking periods of respite from technology and screens may also help curve the amount of anxiety you might be dealing with, and give you more options in your choices of entertainment.

If you have any pets in your life, this quarantine can be a great way to bond with them and make sure they are cared for as well and that you both are getting enough exercise.

Plan a spa day for yourself at home with whatever hygiene products you might have available. It can be a great way to unwind when you’re feeling tense. Homemade face masks can be a fun DIY activity to try and can be made using everyday ingredients like bananas, oatmeal, honey and aloe vera.

Cooking and baking are certainly skills that are important to develop when dining options are somewhat limited. Preparing a nice nutritious meal is a great way to flex your creativity while taking care of yourself by staying healthy. YouTube can be a great resource for recipes and inspiration if you’re just getting into the culinary arts. 

Try to remember that during this period, it is beneficial to you and those around you that you respect the shelter in place order and maintain social distancing.