With all the anxiety out in the world today about staying at home and social distancing, some of the anxiety might be having to take time to really get to know ourselves and others. Yes, the bills may get delayed or not paid. Friends and relatives may get sick. But there may also be a fear of being at home and figuring out what to as stay at home. For most of us, we are cooped up when we have always been free to go.
First, the reality. Unless we are in an isolation room in the hospital, or sadly, in some nursing homes right now, most of us are not 100% truly isolated. We may not be alone, but we are not isolated. Unlike epidemics and pandemics in the past, most of us are not at the mercy of waiting on just newspaper headlines to come across the wire or word of mouth that, as we know, repeats itself incorrectly. Most of us still have some access to something that connects up to others, to whatever higher being or power we espouse to, and to nature.
It is true. As I write this I myself have more than three tabs open as I research things like “multi-tasking”, attention span in the technology age, deep work, and “why can’t I stay focused?” Seriously, Google that one.
Celeste Headlee, in her book, Do Nothing, suggests that some of our angst about filling every moment has somewhat to do with the America’s general obsession with work, the humble Protestant beginnings of our country, and the Industrial Revolution. Add technology and work rewards for being better and managing multiple projects and tasks, and wow, we might have some anxiety about not being busy.
We all have heard some variation of, “An idle mind in the devil’s workshop”. History tells us started in Proverbs and over time, may have given St. Jerome some fodder for religious instruction for the monastics as well as lay people and it stayed with us. Wherever this sense of staying busy came from, few of us had parents who told us to go “take pause” or “just sit.” For many, it probably was “go busy yourself!” followed by a rigorous schedule that even adults have a hard time following. Hence, when we must hit the pause button, it may be overwhelming, yet also, enjoyably releasing.
By the time this article is written, there will be a gillion other “what to do when you are stuck at home” articles. Let’s not forget the series of ‘staycation” articles that came out in 2008 – 2009 during the financial crisis to help people va-cay at home on the cheap. What may be a crisis may also give us time to rethink who we are and how we use our time.
Things to Do While Social Distancing
Preface: The Internet is our friend. Like many friends, we may need to monitor our time with a friend. But, it can bring us some joy and peace. Really.
Watch Youtube. Learn a few dance moves. The easiest dance steps to learn are the box step or bachata.
Discover your local nature or National Parks. Larimer County Natural Resources is posting a beautiful picture every day.
Schedule time away from technology. I know. It. Is. Hard. But even an hour is helpful to quiet the chatter and reset.
Discover the joy and personal success of “deep work.” Turn off your technology. Move your work to a separate or new area of the house. Put on silencing headphones if you can. Start a project, particularly a writing or organizing project and see how long it takes before you get distracted. I am always amazing at how much I get done when I shut the door, turn off the phone, and focus on one thing – even if it is bills.
Forest bath. It may sound woo-woo and hokey, but the research is there. Forest bathing tends to lower cortisol levels, a marker of stress, better than taking part in other activities, a review of 30 studies found.
Sort and scan those photos you may have stashed in your closet. Or change the photos you have out for display. Use the space as a time not as a timed task but as time to celebrate and remember all the good times.
Have a cup of tea. Sounds simple, right? Above and beyond the natural ingredients that promote alpha ways, the act of making a cup of tea – the boiling, measuring, steeping, and waiting for the tea to bloom offers a time to pause and be calm. Ever see anyone make an angry cup of tea?
More Things to Do While Social Distancing
Get your own personal property or your loved one’s finances organized. There is really nothing more comforting than knowing where everything is and how to access personal, financial and medical information in case of an emergency. This could be your “deep work!”
Donate some helpful items or money to a local charity that is helping people right now in your community. Or purchase a gift card to ease some of the burden on the business.
Go foraging. Foraging is more than typical mushroom foraging and takes hiking to a new level. Foraging brings you back to nature and helps you connect the food systems, including human food, on the earth. Do some studying. See what’s available in your area. Take a friend or just enjoy the quiet time alone.
Prepare in advance or just give away half of your dinner to a neighbor or a friend or someone in need. Many Nextdoor communities are sharing opportunities amongst themselves on who is in need in their areas.
Physically write a note or send a card. Away from the computer. Yes, it is easier to send a quick email, but I’m pretty sure we have several windows open, the sound is on, and our phone is dinging as we jet out just one more email or text message.
Learn how to cook lentils. Seriously. Cook them without blowing them up into a million pieces. It is a art and it takes time.
Something good will come of all this social distancing and perceived isolation. We may understand some things we were doing prior to this year may have been problematic. There will be new inventions. New opportunities. As someone posted on Nextdoor – where there is a problem, there is a present.
