Simple tips to stay sane whilst staying at home

Are you struggling with social isolation and are looking for simple tips to stay sane whilst staying at home? I am someone who loves nothing more than staying at home when I am not travelling, I have found this ‘voluntary social isolation’ a breeze. I know for most people this is not the case, I am a social butterfly by nature but I also enjoy being home alone in my own company.

I understand that there is a difference between choosing to stay at home and being asked to stay at home. When you choose to do it, its something that you wanted and doesn’t feel like a chore. But when you are asked to stay home it’s like every fibre of your being wants to go against this instruction. I feel this need and I understand it well but one thing to remember is that IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU.

I have compiled a list of a few simple tips to stay sane whilst staying at home and practising social distancing and isolation. What are some of the things you are doing to stay sane during this isolation?

Simple Tips To Stay Sane Whilst Staying At Home

When you love staying at home as much as I do, the recent government advise to stay at home was well received in my case. Don’t get me wrong, I am saddened that I can’t just leave my home to visit my parents, my friends or even just nip into the shops for some retail therapy. But I understand why we all need to practice social isolation, but it doesn’t make it any easier for most.

The tips I have compiled are based on things that I personally practice and have kept me sane. Most people don’t know this but I have been in voluntary isolation for over 8 weeks and I am going insane because I am not travelling. But I also know I will be back to travelling soon enough and in the meantime, I am doing a couple of things to fill the void travelling has left.

If like me you are in need of some sane buster ideas to face isolation then I hope the list I have compiled below will be useful.

1. Create a to-do list: As a to-do list orientated person, this for me is a given. I love creating to-do lists, ticking items off gives me some sense of satisfaction. Even ticking off something like making a healthy breakfast makes me happy so every morning I sit down a write a list of things I want to work on that day. Whether I am able to completely tick off all the items on my list is another matter but writing them down does give me direction on what to focus on.
2. Watch a movie or listen to songs: As a TV addict I always cure boredom and keep my sanity in check by watching movies and TV programmes that I did not have time for before. Right now I am listing to music that ALEXA has selected for me, some new some old favourites and definitely the best thing ever. 
3. Unplug from social media: As a blogger, this can be hard for most as it’s your source of income. This is why I love the power of automation, I can write a few blog posts and schedule them when I want the same thing with social media posts. The weather is good outside and I am able to unplug from social media and just enjoy sitting in my garden sunbathing. 
4. Find a project: I am sure like many people you’ve got a million and 1 things that need to be done, projects that were started but never completed or some that never got started. Now is the perfect time to tackle those projects, for me I just bought a house and my project is getting the house in order, its challenging because I can’t buy things I want but I am working with what I have. 
5. Stay in touch with Friends and Families: Those who know me know I can talk for queen and country, I am talkative by nature. I love connecting with my family and my friends, no day goes by without me connecting with my family and friends. Every so often I spend hours chatting with my parents and somehow we never run out of things to talk about. It is the same with my friends, there is always something to catch up on.
6. Read a book (or audible): I am someone who loves to read and get lost in a good book but I never have the time for it. Over the last few years, I have gravitated between hard copy books and now I am in the audible phase which I am loving. It’s so refreshing having the author or narrator read the book to you and you just listen and picture the words as someone reads to you.
7. Do nothing: Now this may seem silly, how can doing nothing keep you sane, well it’s simple. Sometimes all your body needs are for you to sit down do nothing, let the thoughts run wild and just do nothing. There times, when I am mentally exhausted and just sitting in my home, lying down on the floor and staring at the ceiling, is more therapeutic than anything and its a form of self-care. 

As a homebody I am relishing being able to stay at home and continue my life like nothing has changed. I know this is not the same for everyone and the social butterfly in me feels like its suffocating at times but I believe in seeing the good in everything and working with what I have. I am not blind to the fact that I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to work anywhere in the world because this is not the same for everyone. So all I can say is, work with what you have.

What are some of the things you are doing to keep sane in these uncertain times? Are you using up your 1 hour a day of exercise?