This is How Parents Can Combat Stress During Quarantine
Here are 10 tips for making quarantining a little less stressful
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Take Some Me Time
We are all creating detailed schedules for homeschool, meals, chores, and work, but how many of you are penciling in “me time.” You don’t even have to do anything meaningful during your alone time—just let your family know that it’s time for you to close a door and then do so, even if it feels selfish. Add this to your daily schedule so you make sure to fit it in.
Plan Something Fun
The one thing we are all missing, no matter how organized or care-free we may seem, is fun. No one is going out or getting together with friends. So figure out how to make some fun at home: Throw a dance party with your kids; have an at-home date night; watch a funny movie; bake a delicious cake and eat it for lunch. Try to break out of the routine once in a while so that you remember what it feels like to laugh and be free.
Start a New Project
Now is the time to learn a new craft or get really good at something you already practice. And being invested in an ongoing goal will help you feel productive. Skillshare has 1,000 free classes and Open Culture has free on-line courses. You could learn how to sew, sing, or speak Spanish. Maybe you’ve always wanted to juggle. Now is the time—for both you and your kids—to invest in a new hobby.
Assign and Schedule Chores
If every dirty dish and spotty rug requires your immediate attention, you’re probably going to go a little nutty. Instead, make a chore chart and a schedule for each and every cleaning project. Schedule larger cleaning tasks for the weekends when there is less homeschool and work.
Disconnect for a Bit
We are on our screens more than ever—schooling, working, socializing, being entertained, and reading news. Take at least an hour a day to put away all screens and read a book, take a walk, or work on a project. As important as it is to connect with each other right now, it’s also important to disconnect from technology.
Above all, give yourself a break. This isn’t easy for anyone and there’s no reason you can’t scream into a pillow or demand a foot massage once in a while. You don’t have to make it work perfectly all the time.