{"id":1708,"date":"2020-03-26T12:06:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T12:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=1708"},"modified":"2020-08-14T19:08:25","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T19:08:25","slug":"5-ways-to-make-the-quarantine-a-positive-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/03\/5-ways-to-make-the-quarantine-a-positive-experience.html","title":{"rendered":"Making the Quarantine A Positive Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"quarantine\"<\/a>
Photo by\u00a0fotografierende\u00a0from\u00a0Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our current public health situation and the quarantine has changed our lives in many ways.\u00a0 These days, we are worried about whether we or our loved ones will get the coronavirus.\u00a0 When we go to the grocery store, basic items, like toilet paper and Kleenex, are unavailable.<\/p>\n

If we have children, they are now at home doing \u201cdistance learning.\u201d\u00a0 Many adults have started working from home.\u00a0 Normal activities like going out to dinner, to the movies or to church on a Sunday morning are no longer options.<\/p>\n

It is easy to get discouraged with the amount of unexpected change that has occurred in the last two weeks.\u00a0 But my hope is that with the right approach, we someday will look back on this quarantine experience as something that was life-changing in a good way<\/em>.\u00a0 When approached in the right way,<\/em> we can use this experience as an opportunity to adopt better habits and to develop kinder attitudes toward one another.<\/p>\n

Below are some ways that you can use this experience to change yourself and your life for the better.<\/p>\n

Find Ways to Be Good to Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unless you are in the medical profession or work at a grocery store, in all likelihood, you currently are working from home.\u00a0 Or you may be temporarily laid off.\u00a0 As a result, you have some extra time on your hands.\u00a0 Instead of using that extra time to binge on Netflix videos, think of ways that you can help others.<\/p>\n

You might call friends or family members to let them know that you are thinking about them.\u00a0 You could send a card or email to encourage someone.\u00a0 Or, if you have some extra cash, you might send someone a thoughtful present.\u00a0 For instance, my mother is cooped up in her apartment these days, so I shipped a couple of puzzles to her (jigsaw puzzles are her favorite pastime).<\/p>\n

Now that we are under quarantine with time on our hands, this is a good opportunity to take a break from our normal navel-gazing and think of ways that we can bring joy to others.<\/p>\n

Develop New Exercise Habits<\/strong> while Quarantined<\/h3>\n

This quarantine period presents a great opportunity to start a new exercise routine.\u00a0 Even when housebound, there are many ways to exercise.\u00a0 For example, the Internet has some terrific exercise videos, many of which are available on YouTube for free.<\/p>\n

Or you simply can go outside for a walk.\u00a0 For instance, I live in a development which has beautiful, tree-lined walking paths.\u00a0 Usually, there are only a couple of people who take advantage of them.\u00a0 However, since most of us now are at home during the day, the paths are being used by folks to walk their dogs, couples out for a stroll, and parents trying to keep their kids entertained.\u00a0 Like my neighbors, I too am getting out there with my dog for walks each day.\u00a0 We all are keeping a respectful 6-foot distance from one another, which allows us to get some fresh air safely in the midst of these quarantine conditions.<\/p>\n

Now is a great time to set up an exercise schedule each day and stick to it.\u00a0 It is easy to put on extra pounds at this time due to being housebound.\u00a0 By staying fit and limber, you\u2019ll be much happier while stuck in the house.\u00a0 And at the end of this public health crisis, you\u2019ll have a new exercise habit that you can keep for years to come.<\/p>\n

Embrace Your Inner Julia Child <\/strong><\/h3>\n

With extra time on our hands and dining out no longer possible, it is a great time to cook up a storm.\u00a0 Not only will you and your family be healthier by eating home cooked food, but your life will feel more civilized.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the grocery stores still have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.\u00a0 And if you get to the store at the right time of day, you can find most of the ingredients that you need for any dish.\u00a0 Scour your cookbooks for dishes that you\u2019d like to try.\u00a0 For instance, this past weekend, I made an Irish Soda Bread for the first time which wasn\u2019t half bad!<\/p>\n

Given our current health situation, it is more important than ever to eat healthy, nutritious foods.\u00a0 There is no better way to do that than to cook your own meals.\u00a0 So, embrace your inner Julia Child and get cooking!<\/p>\n

Look for Beauty in the World<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Like everyone, I am glued to the news these days.\u00a0 But for our mental health, we need to take breaks from it.\u00a0 In the midst of this health crisis, there is beauty to enjoy.<\/p>\n

So, take time away from the news to read inspiring books.\u00a0 Listen to beautiful music.\u00a0 For example, a dear friend of mine sent me a link to the following YouTube video, a rendition of Bach\u2019s \u201cO Sacred Head, Now Wounded.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0 I encourage you to watch this video.\u00a0 Enjoy and soak up the beauty of this glorious piece of music.<\/p>\n

And even though for the time being, we can\u2019t commune together, we can<\/em> commune with nature.\u00a0 Take walks and look at springtime with fresh eyes.\u00a0 My tulips are starting to come out of the ground, and I enjoy watching their progress.\u00a0 This is a small thing.\u00a0 But when the world is chaotic, it helps to take pleasure in those things that we\u2019d normally overlook.<\/p>\n

Realize the Importance of Your Contribution<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is no small thing to make the decision to stay home and not congregate with friends and family.\u00a0 By doing so, you not only lessen your risk of catching the coronavirus, but you also lessen your chance of spreading it.\u00a0 And that literally<\/em> saves lives.<\/p>\n

Remember that there are people in our society for whom the coronavirus isn\u2019t a simple virus.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t a cold that they can just get over in a couple of days.\u00a0 If people have pre-existing medical conditions, this virus can result in their being hospitalized or even dying from it.\u00a0 By staying home, you do your small part to stem the tide of this outbreak and protect those who are most vulnerable in our society.<\/p>\n

Of course, I recognize that staying at home is a sacrifice.\u00a0 It is fun to go out to dinner and the movies.\u00a0 It is enjoyable to hang out with friends.\u00a0 And for many of us, our weekly religious services are an important part of our week.<\/p>\n

But the difference between being an average person and being a good person<\/em> is whether you are willing to sacrifice for others.\u00a0 Are you willing to sacrifice for someone who you don\u2019t know?\u00a0 Are you willing to be inconvenienced (and that is what this is \u2013 an inconvenience<\/em>) so that an elderly person or a child with asthma who you\u2019ve never met can stay healthy?\u00a0 Your choice defines the type of person who you are.\u00a0 So, know that your decision to stay home matters.<\/p>\n

I encourage you to make this quarantine experience as positive and meaningful as possible.\u00a0 Develop new, better habits.\u00a0 Help others.\u00a0 And above all, know that your decision to stay home to protect others truly matters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you would like to receive my Free E-Book, “The Confidence Course,” go to meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our current public health situation and the quarantine has changed our lives in many ways.\u00a0 These days, we are worried about whether we or our loved ones will get the coronavirus.\u00a0 When we go to the grocery store, basic items, like toilet paper and Kleenex, are unavailable. If we have children, they are now at…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nMaking the Quarantine A Positive Experience - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The quarantine is challenging for all of us. 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