“Time is the one thing we all have in common, but it is also the one thing that we all use differently.”  –By  Catherine Pulsifer

On April 12, 2020 I completed my 4^th week in quarantine. I was sitting on my recliner for the 6^th straight hour when it occurred to me:

What the ***k am I doing? Really what the heck?

The world is under varying degrees of lockdown. It is arguably the most effective way to ‘stop the spread’. But it is also making many of us wonder how exactly to go through each day. Suddenly 24 hours have become so hard to get through, that we have unknowingly formed several habits that are ‘obviously unhealthy’. Staying up till late in the night, not taking showers regularly (okay that was probably just me), skipping meals and more. Many of us are building these up and they will impact our lives until long after this quarantine is over.

Gary is my inspiration. And not just for the hat.

There is one difference between successful people and the losers. Successful people get off their asses at some point in their lives. These are unprecedented times. In the form of this quarantine, many of us have been given the gift of time. Let’s not become a burden for our bums.

Here are 3 habits you can cultivate during this quarantine. Many of us have been thinking of developing these for years. But we were always short on time. Well, now we are not, are we?

Meditation and fitness

Fitness centers were probably the first to be closed when we got scared of the virus. But that is not an excuse to shy away from working out. Staying fit is essential in order to live a fuller and healthier life. There are plenty of home-workout routines that you can follow along on YouTube. There are mobile apps such as Heria Pro that provide personalized workouts that could help you achieve your fitness goals.

I speak from experience. I completed this 30-day yoga challenge by ‘Yoga with Tim’ by Tim Senesi on YouTube. Now, I’m considering never going back to the gym again.

Moreover, mental health, in my opinion, is even more important for a well-balanced mindset. A healthier brain drives a healthier body. Ever felt your spouse or kids going stir crazy after weeks inside the house? If not, give it a few more days. Hahaha

I strongly recommend practicing meditation in order to reduce stress. There are proven long-term benefits of various types of meditation and the best part is you start to see a change relatively quickly.

Improved concentration, better attention to detail and a chilled-out brain are several benefits you probably have already heard. I testify, they are true and tangible. A mere 10 minutes of meditation everyday can change your life upside down.

Follow a good sleeping routine

For some of us, following a good sleeping routine has always been difficult, even when the world was not coming to an end. Many of us have lost the count of days and nights. It’s like being in a continuum where Monday is just the same as Saturday. And it sucks!

It is very important to make sure that you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every day. It is easy to give into the inertia and binge watch our favorite shows through the dark hours. The key here is to set a cut-off time. No TV after 10pm. Or whatever works best for you. It is quintessential to sleep well in order to stay productive every day.

Bonus tip: If you don’t read much, try reading a book when you get under the sheets. You’ll find yourself snoozing in 15 minutes.

Additionally, it is equally important to encourage other members in your household to do the same. When we spend so much time together, we affect each other. Let’s try and do that in a positive way.

Investing in long-forgotten hobbies

Do you remember the last time you picked up a paint brush or the last time you actually wrote a journal after a long day? If not, now is the time to pick up on those long-lost hobbies again. It is believed that we become less creative as we grow up (says a research by UC Berkeley psychologist). The blame is on fast-paced lifestyle and constant drive to achieve more in the next 24 hours. We tend to forget how joyful little things can be. Watering the plants, sketching a silly portrait for your sibling or writing a personal diary before bed can be great habits to build during this quarantine.

Most importantly, remember to smile. Even though it is an unfortunate catastrophe for many people out there, it can be a blessing in disguise for some. Just go to the balcony and look at the beautiful sky, listen to the melodies the birds sing every morning and throughout the day. Do whatever that makes you happy and keeps you sane during these times. If you really think about it, you are healing yourself, just like the rest of the world.

I’d love to hear which habit or hobby you would wish to develop before the world goes back to insanity. Share your thoughts using the comments section or connect with me on Instagram and Twitter. Your feedback is what I live for.

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