Tips for staying sane during quarantine

[Triz]

Here are some too tips and general things you can do to help keep your mind healthy and sane during this difficult time should you be self isolating.

Recommendations of Films here
Recommendations of TV shows here
Recommendations of Games here
Recommendations of YouTubers here


Socialise
Remember that we as humans are a very sociable, we rely on human contact and socialising, and this is often forgotten until you are suddenly not able to freely go out and speak to people. So remember to talk to people and ensure you are popping up to others to ensure they're okay during this time. Being in self isolating can take a toll on ones health, both physically and mentally, so be sure to check up on friends and family periodically.

Routine!
Routine is key, make sure you have yourself a routine, whether your working from home or completely off work. Be sure to have a routine, even if it's different each day, write out a list on what you'll be doing on each day, this way you'll be able to plan effectively, and ensure you don't do all the things you deem as the most fun during the first few days... You want to space those things out, you'll then have something to look forwards too.

Puzzles
Buy yourself the largest puzzle you can find, Amazon do a collection of 1000 piece puzzles, this is something you can have sitting on a table that you can keep going back to throughout the day until its completed. This should help waste a fair few hours over the course of a few days, something to perhaps be done in between other tasks listed in this thread.

Blog, Diary or Instagram your experience
Blogging or Instagramming your experience will help you stay productive and help you recognise any interesting oddities about what it's like being in isolation, it will also encourage you to be engaging towards friends as and family from the outside and help you keep connected to the outside world.

Exercise
This one goes without saying, obviously any exercise routine you once had would be affected, however doesn't mean you can't exercise at all, be sure to do those star jumps, push ups and sit ups. You could even sign up to an online exercise class to help with motivation. Find yourself a good routine that works well for you and stick with it.

Connect with others who are quarantined
There are many others out there who are quarantined, speak to them to see if they have any ideas that you may not have thought of, you can also join Facebook communities and WhatsApp groups of people who are quarantined, whereby they are sharing their experiences as well as simple tips and tricks and even recipes to help you day to day. Also offer encouragement for the days you're feeling down.

Small home repairs/jobs
Use this time to fix that squeaky cupboard door, or do finally clean out the attic or garage. Even can go as far as painting a whole room, or perhaps even getting in touch with your creative side and using a wall as a canvas and going all Bankys on it. Heck get the kids involved and make a day of it.

Binge watch TV shows
It goes without saying that this is the perfect time ever in the history of this beautiful earth to start or finish a TV show.. or both. Once you're closing to the end of the daytime, sit back and relax to a TV show, click here for some of my favourite recommendations

Binge Gaming
Much like the above, use this time to finally complete a game you've always wanted to play but never really had the time, aim for that 100% completion or maybe just play to pass time, try out a new game or just rediscover your love of one you've already got. You can check out a list of games Jarkie recommends by clicking here

Go outside!
At present, being quarantined doesn't mean your confined to your 4 walls, you obviously need to go out to get medical supplies as well as a weekly shop etc... Ensure you go outside for a walk, though be sure you do keep your distance from others, especially if you know you have the COVID-19 virus.

Cleaning
Be sure to keep your house in tip top shape, remember you're going to be there a lot more than just the evenings, and with this virus lurking at every corner you need to ensure you're keeping on top of the cleaning, it'll not only make you feel better with having a nice clean house, but will also have a positive effect on your wellbeing.

Board games
Board games are always a great way to pass the time, you can always try your hand at Monopoly and see if your family can survive such an ordeal, or whack out the classics like Cluedo or Operation. Try new games such as What do you Meme, or Cards against humanity which are always a laugh to play, or if you're feeling intellectual then bring out Who wants to be a millionaire or Trivial pursuit.

Cook recipes
Providing you can actually buy the relevant things from the shop, then try cooking, check go out of your comfort zone and try recipes you never would normally try, you may surprise yourself. Get the kids or partner to help and perhaps take it in turns to cook each meal, seeing who can top the other one and make it into a game of sorts. You can even start baking if you're feeling brave, how about baking a dessert instead of buying one...

[..Lucas]

Getting drunk

[Kronics]

Getting drunk

Well the booze has been flying off the shelves in shops!

Also what a great thread! Something I can come back to if I find myself bored during this time, Thanks Sectional.

Having Mexican tonight! Could be taco's

[-:Undertaker:-]

I've already been getting stuck into the garden for hours on end. Lots to do.

I send my emails for work in the morning, then go out and start just before midday. Finish around 6.

[YellowBelli]

I've already been getting stuck into the garden for hours on end. Lots to do.

I send my emails for work in the morning, then go out and start just before midday. Finish around 6.

This ^^^^ is my plan too! My back garden lawn is covered in moss. It's so bouncy...! All the tulips are blooming at the moment which is lovely.

Now we are not using the car as much it is a good time to give it a deep clean inside!

[SeptemberNum]

It is the best thing to do, keeping our minds healthy!

[iamdanny]

good tips. all i do is eat all day

[Triz]

Bumping this for those that need it

[Mikey]

Aww this is a great thread. Will be working through this list, thanks @Sectional;

[FlyingJesus]

I'm not sure if it's because I'm old and turning into my dad or if it's a side effect of spending days at a time without speaking out loud to anyone but I find myself muttering to myself a LOT more than I used to now lolllll like talking to my saucepans or commenting on something I see at Sainburys but doing it AUDIBLY instead of just thinking it. Not loud or anything but omf

Anywayyy something *positive* to do rather than ramble about how mad you're going like me, if you don't have a garden it's really nice to get a couple of house plants. Succulents (aloes, cacti, etc) are great because they take almost no looking after anddd they act to purify the air which is a nice bonus when you're stuck inside a lot, especially when it's too cold to open windows for long to freshen the place up. Just be careful if you're sent a cactus with no warnings about how much you will bleed trying to unwrap it

My main thing atm I guess though is cooking. My dad is an amazing cook and I'm nowhere near his level but I'm learning little bits and pieces at a time, trying to get the base methods down like mixing up curry pastes etc rather than just following step by step recipes each time, then I experiment and adapt things using that knowledge. I make a really good okra curry atm, not a clue if it's anything like a proper bhindi bhaji ought to be but I like it lots * + * + * +