After weeks of social distancing due to COVID-19, it’s time to start moving forward and making plans. During these uncertain times, a lot has changed and our day-to-day lives as we knew them will certainly be different post-quarantine. This may include the way we commute to work (if at all), the way we interact with others at the grocery store, or even the way we manage personal anxieties or emotions. Therefore, it’s important for businesses and individuals to start acknowledging the potential changes that will occur and begin preparing for life after quarantine now.
1. Be Patient
Although it may seem like there is no end in sight, the quarantine will be over before you know it and you should be prepared for that day to arrive. For some, it will be liberating but for many others, it will be frightening and overwhelming. If you are dealing with spells of negative self-talk or anxious thoughts, try to remind yourself that you are not alone, the world is in this together, and give yourself space to adjust to the new normal. It takes about 18-254 days to form new habits. So, for now, take some time to practice self-care, become your healthiest self, mentally prepare yourself for what life will be like when the restrictions are lifted, and remain productive and positive.
2. Practice Self-Care
When social distancing is all said and done and you’re able to return to the office, you should be at your best. You do not want to come out of quarantine feeling sick, lethargic, unappealing or unmotivated. So, start practicing self-care at home, in order to be prepared for the lockdown to end.
Take care of any stress and anxiety issues and any other underlying health issues that may have developed or worsened during this time. If you still do not have the ability to go in to see your physician, or if you still do not feel comfortable doing so, use a telemedicine service. Telemedicine companies offer you the same health-related services that your physician offers, but they do so via electronic information and telecommunications technologies, so you don’t have to set foot into a doctor’s office or even leave your house. Telemedicine clinicians can diagnose any health issues and even prescribe the appropriate medications to treat them. If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to a doctor about which anti-anxiety and depression medication will help you with your everyday difficulties. If you’re dealing with more appearance-based insecurities, a doctor can virtually prescribe you with a hair loss medication that can help with thinning hair, or you can switch up your at-home hair care, so you can look and feel your best post-quarantine. Telemedicine services can provide you with whatever you may need to better yourself before the end of quarantine.
3. Mentally Prepare
Whether you’re excited or nervous about returning to the office, you need to mentally prepare for the post-quarantine differences you will likely see. Your typical day-to-day may not be exactly how you remember it. Employees will most likely be asked to wear masks in the office, continue to stay six feet apart from co-workers, limit the number of people in and regularly disinfect common workspaces like the kitchen, bathroom and break rooms.
This might be a drastic change to your daily routine but it is necessary and doable for the well-being of employees. However, when dealing with this change, many people may become overwhelmed or uncomfortable in their workplace, which is why you should take the time to mentally prepare for the changes now. Try using a meditation app to calm yourself down if you experience mild anxiety or go for a walk when you begin to feel uncomfortable. You could also ask your company to extend or allow you to work from home until you feel comfortable enough to return to the office. If that is the case, you should make sure you’re very well connected to the internet, in order to stay in contact with co-workers and clients. Invest in a mobile hotspot that can support your internet connection anywhere you go, whether it be the living room, kitchen, back yard, or park. Having this contingency plan in place before you return to work will help ease you into the transition.
4. Remain Productive
Now is the time to begin engaging in a regular everyday routine again, to prepare yourself for your typical day-to-day. No matter what your situation is at the moment, try to maintain a regular routine. This includes waking up at the same time each day and having a set plan, whether it be going for a walk, working out and practicing a hobby or working from home, planning meals and completing household chores.
Getting yourself back into a regular daily schedule will benefit you post-quarantine because jumping back into a strict routine can become overwhelming for anyone who has fallen out of their routine since the lockdown began. If you need help restructuring your day-to-day, invest in a planner that you can reference or start using Google Calendar to keep track of your daily activities.
Although you can’t predict how challenging things may be post-quarantine, you can begin to make plans and adjustments to your daily life now, which will help you adapt to your new routine more efficiently in the future. Being healthy, mentally prepared and motivated will help you deal with the transition skillfully and allow you to adjust to your new normal even faster. You couldn’t prepare for the start of quarantine, but you can take back control by preparing for the life that follows it.