Take a moment to relax and focus on you

If you slow down for a minute you may realize what it means to be living in the midst of a pandemic, a “catastrophic event,” according to the insurance industry.

This is something most of us have only imagined while watching an apocalyptic movie or reading a book. It certainly caught us by surprise and the constant adjusting – to life without work as we’ve known it, to how we shop, the food we eat and worrying about stupid stuff like do we have enough toilet paper – can give our spirits whiplash.

Add to that the stress of keeping your business operational – how do you budget to avoid unnecessary risks while still generating leads?

Think about it: What is this doing to our psyches? And, if it continues for longer than we expect, will our coping mechanisms hold up?

We’re so busy doing our part to “flatten the curve,” that few are devoting time to take care of their mental health.

The stress is tempting to give in to – especially when you feel like you have to keep generating real estate leads, keep making deals, keep making a living.

If you’re sick and in isolation, the angst must be unbearable.

What to do during quarantine? Do yourself a favor and take some time for YOU.

Sing from the balcony

Leave it to the Italians to find “a moment of joy in this moment of anxiety.” As one Twitter account put it, serenading the world from their balconies showed “a kind of triumph of spirit.”

Instead of dwelling on the catastrophe surrounding you, figure out what would make your spirit feel triumphant. Here are some ideas for what to do during quarantine:

Build/create something. We know one couple who bought two chickens and built not only a coop for them, but a fenced-in exercise yard as well. Having fresh eggs for themselves and to share with others was their original intent, but in the end, it was the feeling of accomplishing something instead of wallowing in the mess, that they value.

Catch up with friends and distant family members via video chat, social media, phone, etc.

Consider taking up a new hobby. Gardening is awesome this time of year. Or, how about genealogy? Ancestry.com is offering a 14-day free trial membership right now.

If you’ve always wanted to learn photography,  kill two birds with one stone. Walk your neighborhood, taking photos along the way. You can use them later in your hyper-local social media posts.

Exercise. Not only does it bring down our stress levels but you’ll sleep better as well, according to clinical psychologist Desiree Dickerson at Nature.com.

Help someone else. When you give of your time, your advice, your belongings, it helps take your mind off of your own problems.

A post from a woman named Janet on NextDoor.com tells the story of a neighbor, whom she had never met before, who started “sharing her cooking,” by leaving a bowl or plate of “something wonderful from her kitchen” on Janet’s patio ledge.

Every day, the neighbor leaves a piping hot bowl of deliciousness. It turns out that she loves cooking but never had time when she was working.

“It inspired me to start baking, leaving a loaf of zucchini bread last week and this week it will be banana bread,” Janet said and describes the interaction as “an uplifting and encouraging exchange which I encourage others to try.”

Forty-three percent of Americans “… said their emotional well-being had gotten worse” over the past week, according to MarketWatch.com’s Meera Jagannathan, citing the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

Fight it.

Throw open your windows and serenade the world, even if you do it figuratively.

Have other ideas about what to do during quarantine? Let us know how you’re helping yourself.

When you’re ready to get back to your business, we’ll be here. Take a look at these marketing ideas to give you some inspiration.