With COVID-19 restrictions in place, our homes have become our workplaces, our schools, and the only places we are able to socialize. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for family members to find their own space and ways to decompress. Today, I am sharing
Here are a few tips and tricks to help us all discover a little time and space to call our own:
Declutter
My husband is using my office for his office, my oldest son has been using my room for his school work, and my youngest boys have been using my kitchen table for their desks. All this “working from home” is starting to make my home feel much smaller than it actually is. One thing that has helped me find a bit more space in my home is de-cluttering. We have gotten rid of many things we no longer use, and it has gone a long way in helping us find the extra physical space we need.
Go outside
Using outdoor space is also a great way to decompress and find some room, especially now that the weather is getting so lovely. My oldest son does solitary sprints outside every day, my middle son likes to find a quiet corner on our porch where he can listen to music, my youngest son likes to shoot baskets in our driveway, and my husband and I enjoy nightly walks together in our neighbourhood.
Craft time
Being creative is another way to take a mental break. Crafting is one of my favourite ways to relax and decompress, and I get my family involved whenever I can. Simple crafts (like “painting rocks”) appeal to people of all ages. Cooking and baking are wonderful creative outlets too.
Activity
Getting active is also critical. Going for walks, taking advantage of sports facilities that are open, meditating, online workouts and yoga are all fantastic.
Connect, distantly
Another wonderful way for people of all ages to decompress and find their own “space” is to use technology. Watching a movie or tv show is a great way to spend solitary time, but technology can also be used to connect with a wider community. Online software (such as Zoom) can be used to connect with friends for games of Bingo, trivia nights, chats over coffee, happy hours, online cooking lessons and more.
Take a break
Although technology is a great way to connect with people outside of our family circles, it is equally important to disconnect. To truly decompress, it is necessary to take a break from the constant bombardment of social media. Make a point to periodically distance yourself from your phone or computer.
Other simple ways to decompress are: deep breathing, reading, taking a long bath or shower, going for a drive and cranking the music,and taking a nap.
We all love our spouses, parents, kids and siblings… but it’s easy to get tired of each other when everyone is hanging out at home all the time. There are many options for finding space from each other, so find what works for you and make some time to take care of your physical and mental needs.
Gina Bell also writes the East Coast Mommy column, which runs every second week. Follow her blog or contact her at [email protected]
