Wow. So much happening these days. Many of us are facing home quarantines, and it is definitely has a different feel to it than the optional staycation. We are all on high-alert, experience high levels of stress, and are afraid of different outcomes.
In Norway, we have quite many cases, so the whole country is on high alert. You can follow the number of cases per country and in total HERE. Anette is in Brussels, where the flight she booked back to Oslo got cancelled. Susanne is in Oslo, where everyone is basically advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with people. Our mom is in Brussels, not able to come home due to her job. Our da, stepdad and stepmom are in Oslo, all working from home. We’ve had a lot of family conference calls to update each other!
We have talked to many of you who are separated from your families or loved ones, and it can be tough! Sending you lots of love. As the situation is, we have to make the best of it. We thought we would gather our best advice on things to do at home in a situation like this.
Safety first - avoid transmission of disease
But first of all some safety precautions, for ourselves, and in order to eliminate putting others into risk:
The virus transmits from person to person generally by inhaling droplets directly from someone who is sneezing, breathing or coughing, or by us touching our eyes, nose or mouth. The best way to protect ourselves is by washing our hands properly. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice, and you’ve got a good length to it. WHO has an 11-step guide to hand hygiene. Remember the thumb and fingertips. Its especially important to wash our hands when we think we’ve been exposed and to try to stop touching our faces (even though that’s something we do naturally almost all the time). (BBC)
I’ts a good time to clean phones and devices. Dampen a microfiber cloth with water and household soap, and clean the surfaces. Then, dry it off with a dry microfiber cloth. (BBC)
How to not go crazy on each other at home
Talk to each other. Have conversations about facts and feelings, and respect that everyone reacts differently
Maintain a routine. Wake up at your normal time (maybe get in that extra hour), take a shower, get dressed, start your workout and do your tasks for the day
Give the screens a break, watch stuff in intervals. The good feeling of endless streaming will wear off fast, and it can make us really grumpy.
Break it up with fun activities (see below)
What to do if you’re alone?
Many of us happen to be in a situation where we have to be alone these days. Being in a quarantine and living alone can feel pretty isolating, especially being bombarded with scary news and further restrictions day by day. If you feel lonely, there are some things to do. First of all, staying in contact with friends and family through the phone, video calls or messaging is good. If that is out of the picture, there are social media apps like Goodify that can connect you to others who are wanting to help - to have a chat for example.
For those of us who are not alone, and who might have some time on hand, Goodify is a place we can register our services! There are also lots of facebook groups for each local areas, with people offering to help each other out.
Activities to to at home during a quarantine
These are some tips for those of you who have to stay home, work from home or who are in a quarantine from traveling. If you are sick, these are probably not for you, then you should get lots and lots of rest, water and food!
Stay in touch with friends and family via FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp group calls, iMessage group calls etc. Its good to «see» each other even when we cannot. Even if we have to cancel all social events, we still have the internet.
Cook, juice, blend, bake. Try making those delicious healthy meals that you didn’t have time for before. If you cannot go to the store, maybe groceries can be ordered online. Get those cookbooks and cooking blogs out and get to it. We have loads of recipes on our site too. Eating healthy is important to keep the immune system strong - lets get in those fruits & veggies!
Meditate. Meditation can be very helpful for the mind in times like this. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than setting a timer to 10 minutes and focusing on a sound you hear in the room. Let the thoughts just pass by like clouds. You can also use an app like Headspace or Calm or watch guided meditations on YouTube. We have posted some of our favorites HERE and HERE.
Read books. What about starting that novel or fact book that you have been putting off? Its a perfect time for learning new skills, dreaming away into stories and detach. Reading together with your family can be a good way to activate the kids too. For Norwegians - we have written a book on eco-friendly lifestyle that might be interesting to pick up
Board games, card games or chess anyone? Online gaming can also be a way to be social these days. Find your favorite game and enjoy.
Watch inspiring and uplifting movies and series. In a time of fear and disease across the world its important to get other inputs than the constant scary news flashes. What about that Harry Potter marathon?
Clean out your closet! Finally we have time to organize our clothes. Separate the clothes into four piles: Keep (what you love), donate, repair, recycle (what cannot be donated). It feels hella good afterwards. Actually take time to repair things that are broken.
Organize your apartment, storage place etc. The above applies to any room in your house/apartment, or even your storage room. It can be quite meditative to get the gunk OUT.
Go for a walk/run. Set the route out of populated places. Some fresh air helps the body and mind.
Listen to podcasts or audio books. This can also be paired with other activities like the three above.
Home spa! Get your face masks, foot scrubs, body oils and hair masks out - and maybe a lil self tan for some glow? Make sure you use as natural products as possible.
Activate the kids. Families with kids (this is not our expertise, but hey): games, crafting projects, school work and books. Short intervals on Netflix are better than long hours.
Rearrange the furniture. This can give a new, fresh feel to your home, which you are now spending more time in than usual
Make a vision board. There is never a bad time for day dreaming, goal setting and visualizing. Print out/cut our inspiring photos and glue them on a large cardboard.
Get the boring s*** done. Pay those unpaid bills, organize your folders/pictures/videos on your computer/phone, make a budget.
Clean your house. Get the windows shining, clean the inside of the refrigerator, the freezer, the door knobs. It be shining!!
Make a gratitude list. Even in troubled times there are things to be grateful for. There are things to learn. For example the connection we might feel as a society, talking to your family more often than regularly, getting time to do all of the above. As we focus on the good stuff, more of it comes! We feel inspired to help, to reach out a hand and to connect.
Help out others around you. There are people in your neighborhood that might need your help. Find local facebook groups or use the app Goodify - which connects those who want to help with those who need something. Oslo people: “Oslo hjelper Oslo” on Facebook and “Corona hjelp Oslo”.
At home yoga/workouts! See tips below
At home workout tips
YouTube: Yoga with Adrienne, Fitnessblender, Chloe Ting, Brett Larkin
Instagram workout pages/influencers: @socanuworkout, @erikabloompilates, @melissawoodhealth, @shona_vertue, @ingerindubai, @piaseeberg (#ptpiaferietrening), @funkygine, @carlyrowena, @hannasundquist, @lotteoxholm, @yogaforquarantine - live yoga every day at 12, @weightlifting_101, @barrysbootcamp
Apps: Shreddy - it also has vegan recipes, Down dog yoga, Deliciously Ella - yoga and vegan recipes
Online training: @corebalance online training, @classpass online training
Hope you stay safe and healthy - and feel free to share your tips in the comments! Lots of love.