My Top 7 Quarantine Activities

To say this global pandemic has me speechless is an understatement. Especially living in one of the epicenters (New York), times have been crazier than ever before. Despite all of this uncertainty about the physical virus COVID-19, there is one thing that is certain to me: mental health is as important as ever. Not only is there a physical killer on the loose but there is a mental one also. So, whether you are still out and working full-time or locked in your home with groceries being delivered to your door, our mental health is unfailingly important.

The quarantine activities listed below are not just activities I do to pass the time but they are activities that help me keep my mental health in check. For those of you who have been struggling mentally, I hope you can at least try a couple of these activities to help exercise your brains, release those positive endorphins, and remind yourself that even in this chaotic time, life is beyond worth living.

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1. Exercising

I cannot stress the importance of exercise during this pandemic. Whether it's an online workout video or simply going for a walk around the black, exercise is vital for me. Exercise releases positive endorphins so it not only helps your physical self but your mental self as well!

Some ways I have been getting exercise during quarantine:

- Zumba and dance cardio classes (free on YouTube!)

- Walking around my neighborhood

- At-home ab workouts from Pinterest

If you're currently quarantining with your family, significant other, or a friend, have them join in on the fun!

2. Baking

This has been one of my favorite things to do during quarantine. I love baking and trying new recipes that can be found on Pinterest or other recipe sites (like www.allrecipes.com).

The other exciting thing about baking is that you can bake for others! You can sterilize

your kitchen, work with gloves and a mask and bake for healthcare workers or other essential workers that you know in your neighborhood. You can also bake for high school and college seniors since their final year of school has been disrupted. Anything to bring some extra joy into someone's life during this hard time.

Check out the latest recipes I have been trying on my Pinterest board: https://pin.it/6f9v314

3. Furniture Flipping

This activity is something I recently starting doing. A lot of people have been putting furniture to the curb because what time is better to do spring cleaning then when you can't leave the house?

My brother and I will go out in search of furniture that we are looking for, find people who are giving furniture away, get the furniture (for free) and then flip it by sanding it, painting it, and changing the hardware! We get the paint from our local hardware store (curbside pick-up) and we order new hardware on eBay or Amazon! Here is one of my favorite furniture flipping projects:

4. Writing

Personally, I am very talkative and find myself feeling very relieved when I talk about my feelings. However, I don't always want to talk and that's okay. This is where writing comes in handy. A lot is going on right now and writing out your feelings is a good way to get things off your chest without having to verbalize them.

There are many ways that you can write out your feelings without keeping a diary or blowing up your social media page:

- Text a friend

- Write a letter to a friend (snail mail is so fun lately!)

- Write a letter to your future self

While I am big on keeping some form of journal, you totally don't have to if it's not your thing. Something I like to do sometimes when my head is all fuzzy is write down things that make me happy or dreams for the future. Sometimes just writing down anything helps.

5. Organizing

While I love doing all of these activities, I have to say I may have saved the best for last: organizing. This has been my absolute favorite quarantine activity. Not only does organizing (and decluttering) help me clear my head but it's also extremely productive.

I have never had so much time on my hands and organizing passes the time and helps me declutter my life. I am a firm believer that a decluttered space helps lead to a decluttered mind. I organize every day but to different degrees. Sometimes I will take a whole day to organize like going through my clothes, color coding my closet, and deciding which clothes I can donate to good will or sell. Other days, I take one desk drawer, clean it out and organize. Since now isn't the greatest of times to spend money, I have been making desk organizers with cardboard from boxes we have in the garage.

6. Skribblio

Okay, if you haven't played this game yet, it's a must-try! Skribblio is essentially like an online version of Pictionary. You can go on, make a private chat room, invite your friends and play while you video chat!

My dad does a happy hour with his employees every Friday. They started playing Skribblio and they love it! It's a great game for all ages to bring you laughter no matter where you are in the country.

Check out the link: https://skribbl.io

7. Drives

If you have access to a car and can drive or are quarantining with someone who does, I highly recommend going for a drive. It's a great way to get out of the house and get a change of scenery. I found this bridge in Westchester, New York that has an absolutely beautiful view that is filled with water and a natural landscape. My recommendation is to drive near water or any other natural landscape. It's nice to clear your mind and take in some beautiful views.

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This is what I have been up to and I would love to hear what everyone else has been up to! If you have any fun ideas that you want to share, please do! I hope everyone and their families stay healthy and sane during this time of uncertainty. Remember, always make time for your mental health!