We could mope around the house or just watch a bunch of new (or old) movies while we’re home for a few weeks amidst the COVID-19 (coronavirus) self-quarantine. But we could also make the most of the situation. Look at it through a positive lens and take the opportunity to do some good.
Here are a few ideas that will not only be a check-off on the to-do list but will help you, or someone else, in the long run.
Clean out the pantry
Besides the fact that you may find a bag of rice in the back that you forgot about, you also will get rid of expired foods and maybe even get some creative dinner inspiration. Checking open boxes for stale food and making sure the food you do have is in air-tight containers will help any pest issues you may be seeing now that you’re home. Cockroaches love open containers. Ants really enjoy juice spills. And mice and rats will eat just about anything including through the cardboard box holding your cereal. Being home can keep you alert to pests in a way you may not have been before. And of course, call Western Pest Services if you see any of these pests. You may have caught them early enough for Western to provide a quick and easy fix.
Clean up the yard
Get some fresh air and some exercise while cleaning up around your home. Trimming back bushes, pulling those weeds that survived the mild winter, and raking a bit will help your home’s curb appeal. It will also help with your pest control. Leaf piles and overgrown shrubbery are great hiding spaces for plenty of insects and even rodents. That old wood pile may be infested with termites. And cleaning out the gutters will help with the standing water that tends to collect up there – a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Practice some self-care
Download a meditation app. Do some yoga with the kids – they also need to relax. Take a couple cucumber slices that may have been for your salad and put them on your eyes instead. Put a facial mask on and rejuvenate your skin. A 20-minute power nap can do wonders for your overall well-being. During these stressful times, we need to remember to take a step back and take care of ourselves. There’s a reason airlines tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. If you’re not well… you can’t help someone else be.
Help a neighbor
Did you stock up and now you’re good to go? Excellent! Not everyone was able to. Wash your hands with soap and hot water for 30 seconds, put on gloves, and put together a care bag for an older neighbor. Wipe each item with a disinfectant wipe just to be sure and spray the bag with disinfectant too. Fill the bag with a roll of toilet paper, a can of soup, a bag of cookies, a bottle of water, some hand sanitizer, a nice note, and a good book or pencil and crossword puzzle. Leave it on their front stoop, knock, and walk away. No need to stick around and spread any germs – remember to practice good social distancing. But you could make their day. And that always feels good.
There are plenty of things you could do while you’re stuck home. This is a short list! We could go on and on, really. But maybe this list will get you through that first week. Day by day. That’s how we are all living right now. And it’s OK.