Staying at home: How to keep cool and stay healthy

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by stress and anxiety these days because of the coronavirus disease. To help stop the spread, the local Wenatchee government has encouraged residents to practice social distancing and stay at home.

However, being cooped up in the house for long stretches are likely to worsen anxieties and make them harder to manage. People might be tempted to venture out before it’s deemed safe to do so or wander into a potentially crowded environment. But it bears remembering that staying at home is the best thing we can do to keep our families and our neighbors safe.

For those who are stuck at home, here’s a list of things to do and consider as ways to cope with the current situation:

Maintain a day-to-day routine

Establishing a routine will help keep the semblance of normalcy in the household. Self-isolation affects everyone in the family so it’s best to have each member follow a daily schedule. With a set day-to-day schedule, it’s easier to adjust to the new at-home routine.

Creating to-do lists will ease the feeling of restlessness of being at home all day. Crossing out items on the list will result in a sense of accomplishment that will go a long way in easing stress and anxiety.

To those who are working from home for the first time, a to-do list will also help in adjusting to a new routine. The list helps newbies focus and stay productive.

Find a fun hobby

A great way to keep anxiety at bay is by taking on a new hobby. It’s a great time to start delving into new interests or returning to old ones. If you’ve always wanted to try out knitting, painting, or gardening, now is the best time to go for it.

Catch up on TV shows and movies

We all have a couple of shows on our to-watch list we’ve been meaning to get to but just never found the time. Now with more free time and countless streaming sites at our disposal, you can finally finish that must-see series your friends have been telling you about.

Whether it’s the latest Netflix original series or a new Disney+ show, a few hours a day of entertainment is the best way to give yourself a break from obsessively checking the news. You can also turn your binge-watching session into a streaming party with friends and family. Website extensions such as StreamParty, NetflixParty, and Rave let you watch a video and chat with friends simultaneously.

Learn a new language

Don’t let travel restrictions stop you from experiencing other cultures. While you’re stuck at home, unleash your inner explorer by learning a new language.

Not only is this a great way to pass the time, it’s also a useful skill when you can eventually travel again – or when you’re online and you want to chat with other people in their own language. Countless apps are ready to help. Some of the best websites and apps out there are Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and Memrise.

Catch up on the City of Wenatchee’s “Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Save Lives.” updates on their website. For the latest on the Wenatchee, WA real estate industry and other home buying and selling concerns, Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate remains in business to serve you. Call 509.888.8887 or email info(at)cbcascade(dotted)com.