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We are living through one of the major pandemics of the 21^st century: COVID-19 or, as it is colloquially known, coronavirus. This virus has shut down institutions all over the globe, forcing people to self-isolate and stay at home for their safety.

While this is a valid safety measure, for a lot of people, commuting daily or merely going outside home acts as a stress buster. Or the home becomes a stress-free environment when they return. Now everything has changed. Your home has become your office. Not to mention, with the house cleaner gone, you need to do housework, too. And, all this while seeing the same people within the same walls day-in and day-out.

This can be very mentally taxing on an individual. Socially isolating oneself heightens anxieties and increases stress even though it may be seen as vacation-time by some. However, when you live in a 2 or 3-BHK apartment, there is only so long the vacation-time can last before it starts getting to you.

So, how do you survive in a time of social distancing?

Your Family is a Team – Act like One!

You need to treat your family as a team. Designate chores and work on a schedule. Develop a system. This system also helps since routine often alleviates anxieties. And routines are particularly important if you have children at home. They may not be physically going to school but sitting with them and solving worksheets or reading together at a designated time is necessary, so they feel like they have structure.

Scheduling-is a lifesaver

Especially for older children who understand what is happening, a routine is often a lifesaver. Find your ideal system and have fun with it! There is, of course, the added bonus that structure in their life means a structure in yours – something much needed in these times and sure to alleviate stress.

Fun together

And the best part is, after a long day of working from home and mopping the floors, you can all come together for cooking dinner and maybe a quick board game or movie after!

Social distancing, therefore, offers us more time with the people closest to us – our family. Make the most of this time – use it to deepen relationships with everyone. Making every Saturday movie night and every Wednesday game night are excellent ways of deepening bonds. And, with everyone in the same space, they have no choice but to play.

As Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and, snap! The job’s a game!”

Make this your philosophy and have more fun. Remember, we are living in extremely stressful times. You have earned a little fun. Family game nights are a great way of maintaining this and having positivity. Long-distance learning or remote learning with your children is also a great way of getting to know them better. So do activities together and enjoy your time together – you deserve it!

Now you can come out of this lockdown closer than ever with an atmosphere of trust and happiness enveloping your home!

Go Outdoors Emotionally; Never Shut Yourself in Completely

Nature best antidode

Most homes have balconies. If you live in a house, you may even have a yard. Around 5 pm is the perfect time to walk out. Watch the sunset. Read a book or listen to music for a little while and just enjoy the outdoors. If it is too hot, go later.

Even if you just step out early in the morning, the quiet city means hearing the birds. Such sounds remind you that there is something to return to when all this ends. If you must work in your room, put on some sounds – you get sounds of rain, bells, birds, forests, cities etc. on YouTube in the form of 1-2 hour videos.

Yoga and meditation for mental peace and health

Do you know what else you get on YouTube? Workout and yoga videos. Use this time to do some exercise that you would usually do outdoors indoors with your family. Yoga, primarily, is meant to bust stress and is very effective in this regard. It centres you and your focus and helps you to connect with yourself. Meditation is another excellent way of connecting with your inner self. Use these techniques and ensure you do not lose yourself in this time of isolation.

Grow your own plants and veggies

This is also a great time to try your hand at gardening. Especially if stress and anxiety are affecting your productivity; gardening and bringing life into the world will give you a sense of achievement. It will show you how beautiful life will be when everything goes back to normal. This is also one of the many productive activities you can use to teach your children responsibility. Enable their education through gardening and remote learning. They shouldn’t lose themselves to social distancing either. Ensure they don’t. Keep yourself and your family centred and positive at all times.

De-Cluttering the Household

Marie Kondo was right when she said a de-cluttered home is a happy home. According to her, when clearing your home, only keeping things that “spark joy” is essential to ensure your happiness.

Remember: mess is just another word for stress.

Attract positivity by de-clutterring

So get your family together and clean up the house. All those books you bought that you never plan to use? Give them away! Those piles of clothes you have owned since college, but they do not fit you anymore or have gone out of style? Donate them! Get rid of things you do not use and things that just take up space. They are unnecessary and affect the environment of positivity you are trying to establish.

De-cluttering the home de-clutters the mind. Because a messy home is just one more thing to think about and worry about, so remove this anxiety and clean your house.

And, above all, our team at Pramod Buildtech hopes you stay completely safe. Wash your hands, use masks and gloves and take care of yourself. Social distancing is not easy and can become a space where you lose sight of everything important in life. Do not let that be you. Choose happiness – your home and every home we design is meant to spark joy. Do not allow your home to become a house. Maintain it as a home and a pleasant, stress-free environment!