Being told to stay at home and avoid friends and family has many of us reeling with cabin fever, anxiety and depression.  Suddenly, even self-proclaimed introverts are working from home and struggling to remember the day of the week.  Yes, right now the main goal has to be to stay in and stay healthy, or just survive.  That doesn’t mean that we can’t also thrive while the world takes a pause and tries to reset from this pandemic.

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1. What would you do if you had all the time in the world?  The abundance of free time has suddenly left many of us feeling as though we have too much time on our hands.  Maybe you spent the first few days enjoying a Netflix binge or reading fiction to escape the twenty-four/seven news cycle.  That’s okay! We all needed a break.  But what about that list that you’ve secretly kept in the back of your mind of the things you would do if you just had more free time?  Whether it’s learning a foreign language, learning to cook, or finally organizing that spare bedroom, treating this as an opportunity instead of a reason to sit on the couch may improve our lives and mental outlooks during this time of uncertainty.


2. Reconnect with old friends.  We can’t meet friends for happy hour right now or even pop over for a movie night.  Fortunately, the twenty-first century has created many ways that we can stay in touch and even see our friends smiling faces during a stay-at-home order.  Apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Facebook Messenger make it convenient to check in with friends, share a laugh, and commiserate with the day to day challenges we are all facing.


3. Stay fit and engaged with your FitClub family!  FitClub’s app lets you hit your workout goals, stay physically active and continue to communicate and share progress with your FitClub friends.  Login and share with the group the workouts you’re loving, the progress you’re making, and the creative ways you’re finding to entertain yourself and your family while stuck inside.


4. Maintain a routine.  Even when many of us are working from home and avoiding unnecessary outings, maintaining a routine can help break up the days and provide a sense of normalcy during a crazy time.  Maintaining a regular sleep and wake schedule, practicing good hygiene, and dressing every day when you wake up are good ways to shape your day without leaving the house.  Even the simple act of making your bed when you wake up can help you set a positive, productive tone for the day even if you go no further than your home office or kitchen.


5. Take a breath.  Whether you’re a lifelong student of meditation or you are looking for a way to calm your nerves and quiet your mind, meditation has proven benefits.  Check out the FitClub app for meditation classes or calming yoga sequences to not only survive this historical event, but to thrive at the same time.

Stay healthy everyone! What are you doing to brighten your days?