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Life

Staying Productive While Social Distancing

Olivia McCoy
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter.

After a tough adjustment period of social distancing, I’m finally finding my groove again. I learned some valuable ways of coping with being stuck at home, so I thought I’d share them.

Make daily to-do lists

As someone that thrives on planning everything out, making daily to-do lists is second nature for me. This helps me stay productive and accomplish tasks.

I suggest making a list every morning of things you want to get done that day. Start off your list with three things you are grateful for, followed by three ways you want to feel that day (ex. peaceful, strong, driven), and then go into your to-do list. Doing this will help you keep track of your goals.

Time is now on your side

The famous excuse “I don’t have time for that” is invalid. Now, all you have is time on your hands, so use it to your advantage. This is the perfect opportunity to begin a new project or hobby without distraction. 

Organize your space

I’ve found that being in a clean and organized room significantly boosts my motivation. Having clutter around can overstimulate your eyes and make it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand. 

Try challenging yourself to making your bed every morning and organizing your closet. Light your favorite candle and put on some feel-good music to turn your room into a sanctuary. This space should bring you peace and comfort, not stress you out.

Get dressed for the day

There is something so powerful about changing out of your pajamas and into your outift for the day. Putting a fresh pair of clothes on — whether it’s jeans, a workout set, or even sweats — sets the tone for your day and will give you an extra edge of confidence.

Establish a routine

Routines are the best. They give you something to look forward to each day and maximize productivity. During this time of uncertainty, they are especially helpful because they give you something to control.

My routine currently consists of waking up between 8:00 and 9:00am and enjoying fresh fruit for breakfast with an iced coffee before my morning workout. I look forward to this little ritual everyday and because it gives my mornings structure.

Move your body

Release those endorphines and get your blood pumping. Excercise is a great way to relieve stress when you’re feeling a bit stir crazy. 

Some of my favorite at-home workouts are offered online by Les Mills. I’m currently loving their Body Combat classes for when I have pent up energy and Body Flow for a more meditative workout. There are tons of other great options available on YouTube, so there’s something for everybody.

Don’t stress about things that are out of your control

This is something that I struggle with, but it’s so essential for your wellbeing. Instead of worrying about how upsetting the consequences of this pandemic are, focus on what you can control — like keeping yourself healthy by taking proper precautions. There’s no sense in wasting your energy on something that you have no power over. You’ll be much happier once you realize this.

Discover a New Podcast

Switch out one of those shows you’re binge watching for a podcast. Choose on that you can learn something from or that motivates you. With all the options out there, you’re sure to something you like.

Lately, I’ve had a surge of inspiration from listening to podcasts. They leave me feeling motivated to be the best version of myself, even during quarantine. Some of my favorites include: The Skinny Confidential, Manifest by Tori DeSimone, The Real Reel, and The Health Code. 

Get Fresh Air

Immerse yourself in nature. Allow yourself to be still and appreciate the beauty that’s around you.

This is something I swear by doing. It helps keep me grounded and clears my head of anything that may be bothering me. I highly suggest giving this a try when you start to have cabin fever vibes. It’s almost like pressing a reset button on your mood and helps you feel calm and collected.

Tap Into Your Creativity

Unleash that imaginative mind of yours. Create a new recipe, paint with watercolor, design a vision board, play with makeup, rearrange your room, put new outfit combinations together from your closet, write a short story. The world is your oyster when it comes to creativity, so fill your time with things that inspire you. 

I hope these tips help make social distancing a bit easier for you. Stay healthy!

School of Media Arts and Design student with a concentration in Interactive Design. Campus Correspondent for the JMU chapter of Her Campus, Campus Coordinator for Rent the Runway on Campus, and Social Media Marketing Intern for Auntie Anne's.