How to stay motivated during quarantine? It can be difficult to find a daily routine during quarantine. But here are some tips to keep your day productive while we’re all stuck at home.
Here, we mentioned 14 tips to keep yourself motivated and productive during quarantine days.
1) Challenge Yourself
To-do lists are definitely not for everyone. Even I don’t like to use them sometimes. But it can certainly be helpful when developing your quarantine routine. Your to-do lists don’t have to be made up of things you don’t want to do – you can fill them with hobbies you enjoy, books you want to read, activities you want to do. I just type mine in the Notes section of my iPhone and mark it with a little emoji when I’m done. It’s all I legitimately want to do – it just helps remind me that even when order and control are hard to establish, I can always trust the things that keep me happy. Also, it’s a great destroyer of boredom: if I have nothing to do, I can go straight to my list to see if there is anything I can check.
2) Set Your Alarm!
You will need to continue waking up at a semi-regular time every day if you want to do anything. Working from home isn’t always easy, and it’s okay to slide several times (believe me, I know how tempted a “nap” button). But even if you end up setting the alarm a little later than usual, be sure to set it at the same time every day. Waking up at the same time will ensure your body maintains its normal sleep cycle. This means that you will not feel tired or cut off all day, and you will be able to sleep at a reasonable time at night. Be sure to set your alarm later in the weekends, though (if that’s what you would do normally) as this would give you a little extra boost to sleep and allow your body to relax more because you’re not working.
3) Learn from Internet
Thanks to the coronavirus, many services have temporarily moved online. This means that therapists, teachers, gym instructors, even dermatologists can be found on the web. Don’t worry if you miss your regular appointments – you should be able to find almost everything you need online, even if it’s through a different provider. And don’t forget to check your work benefits too – many companies are offering employees additional benefits to stay healthy and happy at home.
4) Separate Work and Home
Easier said than done, true? From a technical standpoint, currently, both your home and work are located in the same physical space. However, it is highly recommended that you make an effort to keep them distinct from each other to the greatest extent possible. If you can, have a “work” room in your home. Separate as much as possible: I’m not saying everyone needs to have a home office, but try not to work from your room. Once you begin working during a room frequently, you’ll find that each time you are trying to relax and luxuriate in therein room, you’ll only believe work. Don’t write reports from your bed, or else you won’t be able to sleep at night to think about work. If you have enough space, set aside a separate room for your work. If it doesn’t, try cleaning a certain seat or table in your kitchen, a specific chair in your living room that you don’t often use for work. Heck, you can make a fortress in a corner in your room and work from there. No matter where you are, it only matters that you keep the “work” and “home” spaces separate. If you’re totally out of space, at least try to get around every day while working so that your brain can’t begin to see a space as your “workspace.”
5) Take Media Breaks
It’s pretty important to remain up-to-date with everything that’s happening within the news, but it’s never healthy to worry about it all day long. Take a few minutes out of your day in the morning (but not right after you wake up!) to scroll through your news feeds, but don’t keep obsessing over it all day long. Try to follow up your daily news brief with happier articles or by doing something you enjoy to stay your day upbeat. And remember, despite everything that’s going on right now, there are lots of good things going on in the world as well.
6) Separate time for social media
There is a handy function in the iPhone settings, and you can set the time limit of the application you want to turn off. Social media is great for catching up with friends (or hey, memes), but it’s also a big factor that is time consuming and discouraging. Do whatever you need to avoid it. If you use social media to stay in touch with your friends and family, make sure to catch up with everyone using the direct messaging app, not the distracting social media app. Or, spend 20 minutes of your day checking in with friends online and drop off to a different room before you begin working. And being at home seems like a good excuse to turn Ringers back on (I think I’ve been silent for three years), don’t! In fact, turn off Silent to stay out of the way. There’s nothing worse than being in the zone and being immediately pulled back out of the zone with a sound or buzz.
7) Exercise
It’s hard for me to exercise on a regular day, much more so when I’m stuck in an indoor rut. However, I’ve discovered a few enjoyable activities that help me refocus and regain my momentum. Take care of your well-being by engaging in physical exercise at least three times per week. Join an online fitness class, follow along with instructional videos or series, find dance workouts online, take up running, or explore a workout activity that you’ve never gotten the chance to try before. On your days off, try to get outside as much as possible by going for walks, biking around, or driving to the grocery store to fight to the death over toilet paper (actually, please don’t do that). Whenever you’ve got time to suit exercise into your routine, go for it, but I always find morning workouts particularly helpful when starting my day. Anything that energizes you and tires you out will help you survive quarantine: it will help you sleep better at night, give you more energy throughout the day, and help keep your mind and body healthy while you’re stuck inside.
8) Self-Care
Motivational work is great, but spending time just for you is also very important. If you have a regular schedule, it makes more sense to relax and rest. As a result, many of us unintentionally spend extra time when our natural routine is interrupted. Also, if you feel that quarantine is unproductive, and you can’t keep up with your regular work schedule, you may think that it’s not appropriate for your time. But that is not true! At the end of the day, you should always leave time for yourself. This helps to stabilize your daily work. Skin Care, Bubble Bath, Netflix, Video Games: Makes you happy and relaxed and has nothing to do with your work life. I’ve certainly tried some new face masks (and some new TV shows) over time. By giving yourself time to relax, you’ll be relieved of stress and refreshed the next day. Quarantine does not mean that you suddenly have a productive superpower, so don’t fall into distress by denying a break or an evening break.
It can be difficult to stare at the screen while you are working online, so be sure to rest your eyes if necessary.
9) Take Advantage of Quarantine Opportunities
You don’t got to come a master chef or critic , but there are tons of special online opportunities being released due to quarantine. Museums are releasing virtual art exhibits that you can explore for free, science exhibits and zoos are live-streaming their animal friends online. Even colleges are releasing free online classes and tutoring sessions if you’re interested in learning something new or adding a little something to your resume. Musicians are delighting their fans on social media platforms by sharing amusing songs, exclusive releases, and catchy tunes. They are continuously publishing new content to uplift spirits during these challenging times of being confined indoors. Additionally, various online classes, streaming services, and subscriptions are providing attractive offers to ensure affordable access to high-quality entertainment throughout the quarantine period. If you see deals like these, go for it: they’re perfect for keeping you entertained! And don’t forget to support small businesses and humanities centers if you can: theaters, Etsy shops, local restaurants, and other small or performance-related centers are struggling immediately , so donating to them will help them out a lot! You could even score special newsletters, videos, or future discounts by backing them during quarantine.
10) Be Kind to Yourself
During quarantine, we all face challenges in our own unique ways. It’s unnecessary to compare yourself to others who boast about their extraordinary accomplishments during this time. Instead, focus on yourself and celebrate small achievements. Even if the simplest thing you do in quarantine is getting through it, that’s worth acknowledging. Remember, you are an amazing person, and you don’t have to be super productive to prove it. Take care of yourself, show yourself love while staying indoors, and that is sufficient.
11) Manage Your Finances
With the uncertainty of the job market and economic fluctuations, it’s natural to feel concerned about your financial situation, even if you still have a steady income. Empower yourself by understanding your financial standing, which can help you set goals for improvement or find peace in knowing that things are under control. Take the time to evaluate your expenses and identify areas where you can permanently reduce unnecessary spending. Create a budget for the future, considering different scenarios. It’s important to allocate a portion of your earnings towards savings to ensure a successful financial future. Research your credit score and explore ways to improve it.
12) Celebrate Your Accomplishments
When you start feeling demotivated, take a moment to appreciate your achievements. Begin by recognizing the contribution you make by working from home, as it helps prevent the spread of COVID-19—a commendable act that serves the greater good.
Next, reflect on your professional accomplishments despite the current restrictions. You may have achieved more than you realize. Make a list of everything you’ve accomplished in the past year and acknowledge the effort it took for each achievement. This exercise not only reminds you of your capabilities but also reignites your motivation. Cultivate this habit and be ready to build upon your successes, advocate for your worth, and advance your career when the world returns to a somewhat usual state.
13) Cultivate a reading habit
Reading is a powerful mental exercise that enhances your cognitive abilities. However, it’s essential to find pleasure in what you read rather than simply reading for the sake of it. This internal satisfaction fosters a beautiful relationship with books.
Moreover, reading improves your communication skills. As you develop a habit of reading, you absorb and retain information in your subconscious. This knowledge reflects in your writing and speaking, enabling you to articulate your thoughts effectively. I recommend starting with just five minutes of reading and gradually increasing your reading time. This habit will not only sharpen your mind but also provide a source of enjoyment and personal growth.
14) Practise Mediation
I encourage you to begin a meditation practice, starting with five minutes and gradually increasing to 15 or 20 minutes, once or twice a day. One of the simplest and most accessible forms of meditation involves focusing on your breath. The practice entails recognizing when your mind wanders and gently bringing your attention back to your breath, connecting your mind and body in the present moment. Regular meditation cultivates a positive mindset as you navigate social isolation and mundane work routines.
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