Finding joy and hidden treasures during a "stay at home" order
Our lives have changed dramatically in a short period of time. Change can bring significant stress and uncertainty. With the current “stay at home” order in the Kansas City metro, we may feel increasingly isolated and less in control of our lives. We don’t have our usual activities to keep us busy, and boredom can be a breeding ground for anxiety.
And yet, we have an opportunity to approach this with an open and curious mind. We may even find hidden treasures as we stay active in new, positive ways! I hope that the following list can offer many helpful ideas that may bring you joy and connection to others. Remember, while fear is a natural emotion during this period of time, these actions can be a helpful antidote!
Get outside! Find a place on your porch or in your backyard to feel the breeze and soak in the sun as often as possible. When the sun is out, we like to set out a blanket to lie on or kick the soccer ball. I’ve also heard of a group of friends setting out numerous blankets (one for each person) and having a picnic on a nice day!
Work in your yard or garden. This can be a great time to catch up on yard work. Plus, it can be a fantastic form of movement and outdoor activity. Some gardening centers are offering pick up and delivery options.
Get active! Take a walk while maintaining social distancing, use a treadmill or other equipment in your home, or use an app or video to get moving. Make it more fun by listening to an entertaining podcast, watching a show, or getting active with others.
Reach out to neighbors and check on those who may be in need.
Write encouraging messages with chalk on the sidewalks in your neighborhood. I saw the message “You’re Awesome!” recently when going for a run, and it made my day!
Offer to bring groceries, medication or other items to those who are choosing to fully stay home or unable to leave.
Help out a local business. If you’re able, order delivery or take-out to support local restaurants.
Offer needed supplies to local agencies. Call or look online to find out what agencies need and how to get these materials to them. Giving to others fuels our sense of purpose and positivity.
Find a new recipe to cook. Think of something you’ve always loved but never tried to make…find a recipe, and go for it!
Get crafty! Pull together your craft materials or order some for pick-up/delivery.
Set up virtual hangouts with friends and extended family. Make plans to go online together! You can cook, eat a meal, chat, and even play games…and all without leaving your home. Make a point to do this with someone you haven’t seen or talked to for a long time. This can be a great chance to reconnect with people!
Write and send letters and cards.
Play a board game!
Do a puzzle!
Pick out a movie series to watch - watch one each day to every few days. Examples may be the Avengers movies or all of Tom Hanks’ movies.
Get to home projects that you haven’t had time for! Clear out areas and get items ready for donation. Plan a renovation or paint a room! Many home stores plan to have pick up options to maintain social distancing rules. We recently painted my daughter’s room while listening to music and podcasts, and it has helped things feel new and fresh for her!
Practice being…being quiet, being present, and being aware of the things that often are missed in our busy lives. Connect with your senses and enhance present moment awareness.
Engage in gratitude journaling. Check out these tips on how to get this started.
Learn a language. You can find many (and sometimes free!) audio and video programs to help you learn.
Play or listen to music. Dust off old records/cds, or make a playlist of favorite songs and albums.
Research things in nature. We have downloaded some bird apps to help us learn about local birds. You can do the same thing with trees, bugs, and more. Get outside and explore!
Laugh!! Be intentional with watching funny shows, movies, and more! Smiling lifts our spirits, and we all need a big dose of this right now! :)
What additional ideas do you have? Please add your ideas in the comments below, and I will add them to the list to keep this going!