5 Easy Ways to Make Quarantine Not Suck

So you’re stuck at home because of the coronavirus. There’s nothing wrong with FaceTiming friends, binging on Netflix or streaming concerts. But what about your mental health? Banish the blues and terror with these 5 easy tips. You’ll feel amazing. And that means you’ll handle stressors better and enjoy those Netflix shows even more. And, if you’re consistent, you may just transform your life.

1. Make a self-care ritual. When was the last time you took a nice, hot bath? Or maybe you’re more of a shower person. But what if this is an opportunity to indulge? Show yourself some love. Light some candles. Scrub your legs with epsom salts. Or use a dry exfoliating body brush before you soak. Dry-brushing supports your lymphatic system, which supports your nervous system. Anxiety be gone!
2. Eat clean. What you eat has a huge impact on your mood, which has a huge impact on what kind of day you're going to have. Without the temptation of dining out, this is the perfect time to clean up your diet. It doesn’t need to be hard or pricey. Season chicken breasts with garlic salt and bake with potatoes. Make a veggie omelet. Or stir-fry vegetables with quinoa. Can’t find these foods at the grocery store? Pop open those canned goods and make tuna and black bean burgers. Unprocessed foods are clean fuel that won’t make you crash. And that means a better mood and better sleep. Which leads us to number 3 on this list.
3. Get lots of sleep. This may sound like a no-brainer. But 33% of Americans don’t get enough sleep. Getting less or more than 7-9 hours a night causes anxiety and depression. Not to mention, lowered immunity. So, during a pandemic, rest may be more important than ever. And no commute means more time to sleep. So why not make it a priority? Insomnia keeping you up? Try L-Tryptophan. Or grab your earbuds and Google “binaural beats for sleep.” Binaural beats are soundwaves that help your brain shut off.  
4. Relax, mindfully. Relaxing at home is easy, right? In the face of a pandemic, maybe not so much. Meditation is a popular way to nudge your brain in the right direction. And this is a perfect time to try it, or to deepen the practice you already have. You can download the Headspace app for free to begin or deepen a wonderful daily practice. But what if you can’t focus? EFT, or tapping, is a strange-looking but powerful tool for stress and healing. It allows you to send your nervous system a signal of safety without trying to control your thoughts. Download The Tapping Solution app or Google “tapping for anxiety.” Or you can use mindfulness while you drink your morning coffee. Take long, deep breaths. Focus on the floor under your feet. Concentrate on the smell and taste of your brew. Repeat. It’s really that simple. And it makes a huge difference.
5. Break a sweat. Being housebound can make it easy to lounge all day. Relaxation is important for wellness. But so is staying active. Not into working out? No problem. You don’t need expertise or access to a gym to get moving. Crank up your favorite songs and dance it out. Search YouTube for a yoga or fitness class. Take your dog for a brisk 20-minute walk. Any kind of physical activity counts. Intentional movement is crucial for feeling your best. And, if you're feeling your best, being quarantined will not totally suck.