Quarantine (/ˈkwôrənˌtēn/noun: A state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.
The country, and world as a whole, is in the bit of a predicament at the moment, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. The only thing that can be lost in a quarantine situation, like the current one the coronavirus created, is your mind. The COVID-19 outbreak is forcing people to stay inside their homes for an extreme duration of time along with their loved ones, and maybe even their children. How do you deal with it?
Coronavirus Quarantine at the Overlook Hotel
From the outside looking in, being at home with loved ones sounds like a fantastic thing. Let’s be real for a second though, how many of us have seen “The Shining?” A family of three trapped in a vacant grand hotel with insidious tendencies in the mountains of Colorado, this Stephen King story tells an all too frequent tale. Loved one or not, we all have our breaking point when forced to confinement. With that said, there’s still ways you can go about maintaining mental clarity and even physical health.
One of the worst things you can do during all of this is lose sight of any “good” amidst this uncertainty and chaos. The moment you lose your head is the moment you’ll see everything around you crumble.
Look Around at Life
This emergency stop to this rat race that many call “life” has given us all an opportunity to take a real hard look at not only ourselves, but a true and unadulterated appreciation for life. When was the last time you really appreciated that cup of coffee? That moment when you take in that earthy and wholesome aroma right before you take that first sip. Don’t stop there though. How about taking in a perfect sunrise as it crests the horizon?
Too often, we’re in such a rush to go somewhere we hate to make the money we perceive we need. This leads to us missing the beauty that’s right in front our eyes. This time could also give you the opportunity to pick up passions that may have been inadvertently shoved to the back burner.
If you’re a reader like myself, put down the remote and dust off that novel you only got halfway through. If the kids are all over the place, do simple things like scavenger hunts, board games, or chores that can earn them “commissions.” Every child loves a little incentive. The options are endless. However, understand that stressing about things outside of your control does nothing but leading you to sickness. Learn to lock it down.
Get Physical … Without an Axe
Physical atrophy in these times is an easy road to go down. Gyms, yoga studios, and even some parks are closed down. Sitting down on the couch like a potato would only seem like the second best option. With society as it is, a majority of physical activities are handed to you on a silver platter.
No gym? No problem. Learn to get creative. People often overlook bodyweight exercises, but they can get extremely challenging if you put in the effort and do the research. The obvious benefit is that there’s no equipment necessary and it can be done literally anywhere. Go pick up big rocks or logs for distance. Do shuttle sprints in your driveway.
The current situation we’re all facing is truly going to test your mettle. How much of a priority is physical activity for you? Depending on where you live, get out of the house—with yourself or the family in tow—and go for a hike. Get out in nature and appreciate the little things similar to what I mentioned earlier. When something as big as this interrupts everyone’s “regularly scheduled programming,” many lose common sense. Don’t be a statistic by pointing fingers and allowing emotions to dictate your actions.
Here’s Johnny!
When it’s all said and done, don’t turn into Jack Torrance and lose your cool. You’re not stuck in the Overlook Hotel with evil spirits accosting you. Well, at least I hope you’re not. You have options at your disposal to satisfy both the mind and the body. You’ll beat this coronavirus quarantine.
None of us really knows what lays ahead of us, but one thing is for certain: The human spirit cannot and will not be contained forever. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and this new “Upside Down” won’t last forever.
Until then, make sure you STAY INDOORS and practice social distancing. Don’t worry, you won’t end up like this:
