Good Evening everyone!
I recently got put on temporary leave from my job as an ABA Behavioral Technician. When that phone call happened, I wasn't shocked. But I was shocked when i realized during my morning routine the next day that even though I don't have time constraints anymore due to COVID-19, that I managed to keep a routine with social distancing. This is how you can do it too!
Pick A Project The Night Before
You don't want to spend a week waking up, work on a project, go to bed and repeat with the same project. But have different projects and take them in steps. The good part about this is that most projects you can still partake in the ultimate netflix/hulu/disney+/prime video binge time (sanctioned by the government - lol!) but you don't feel like a lazy bum when it's time to go to bed. Working on a project also gives you motivation to not nap throughout the day
Still Have An Alarm
Many people are spending this time sleeping through the days and staying up through the nights. But that's not good for your body if you had a day job. If you had a night job, your body is used to it. I made my COVID alarm for 9:50 am because that's when I have to take my morning medication.
Have A Morning Routine
Order some aromatherapy energy and/or good night body wash (if you are sensitive, like me, Burt's Bees is a good choice). If you're not into the aromatherapy try some suave kids 3-in-1. You come out smelling like a jolly rancher.
Take your vitamins or medicine.
Meal plan for the day
Make a good breakfast. Breakfast smoothie with some meal shake powder, cereal, eggs, toast. THEN you can go for the chocolate ice cream in your freezer!
Collect all the materials you need for that project -if its on an electronic make sure you've got your chargers!
Grab the remotes. Find a show to binge.
Then start that project.
Video Message Friends!
"But it's not the same!" Nope, but it's the closest you've got. Pick a show and be on video chat together watching it. Or even text during the show!
SMALL Group Grocery Trips
Synchronize your grocery trips with friends and go together (keep social distancing as much as you can!) but if you're risking contamination, risk it with a friend you don't mind be isolated with for two weeks. Buy enough for a week. I have picked two friends that I alternate between meeting at the grocery store.
Watch The Daily Show With Trevor Noah
Notice how this whole time I never said "be sure to turn on the news and watch our president spew crap out of his mouth!"? That's because in times of crisis like this, the best place to get news is cdc.gov and satire shows such as The Daily Show. You get accurate news and updates from the CDC and you get to hear someone say all the things you're thinking and laugh before bed time.
Don't Forget To Eat
That meal planning i mentioned earlier? Be sure to stick to it and eat food.
I know you feel like you're living Rapunzel's life in the opening song of Tangled. But hey, she had a routine and lived in isolation for 18 years. We can make it a couple months!
Have A Night Time Routine
If you got the nighttime aromatherapy body wash, take a shower. Don't like showering at night? Order some Melatonin lotion to wear at night to help you get a full night sleep.
Be sure to make a routine for yourself so when the crisis passes, you don't have to get used to a routine again. You just have to switch up the routine.
Have a good time with your pets, projects, and streaming tv shows!
-Andrew
