As concerts are postponed, sporting events are canceled, schools are closed and tourist hot spots are shut down, experts recommend that even those who show no sign of illness stay home during this time of global pandemic. That's right: It's advised that you self-quarantine.

Although remaining inside is a good way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, and is an important measure to help "flatten the curve" of daily cases that put pressure on our health care system, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness. 

What's there to do while stuck indoors? We've compiled a list of suggestions to help make your time quarantined as interesting – and perhaps even as productive – as possible for both work hours and your off-time. 

Working From Home

The evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult to even comprehend, but for many people, the main change has been the shift to working from home and dealing with the various distractions and challenges that come with a significantly altered routine.

And it can be challenging. Most of us have worked our entire lives in structured office environments, providing a clear separation between work and home life. Now that the two are combined, that can bring up all sorts of productivity and organizational challenges, while the reduction in social time with colleagues can also require a level of transition.

To help you adjust to your work from home strategy our team has put together a list of key tips for establishing a productive, and healthy, remote work routine.

• Set Up Your Workstation

Experts recommend setting aside a workspace to get you into “work” mode. We know with everyone home it might be tough for those who are not used to working from home to create a place where they can be productive. Here are a few tips on setting up space where you can be productive. 

• Scent - You can use a candle, incense, or other scent diffusers for aromatherapy that will help keep you feeling energized and focused. We recommend scents like Peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.

• Sound - Play certain music only while working and not while doing anything else. A few of our favorite Spotify playlists are Your Favorite Coffeehouse, Productive Morning, or for something more upbeat this Work Playlist. 

• Sight - Try to work in a spot that has natural light. It’s been proven to boost productivity and make workers feel more engaged. Keep your workspace minimalistic and organized. When your workspace is free of clutter, your mind can think clearly.

• Video Calls

Do a little bit of preparation before each virtual meeting. Make sure you have good lighting, keep the angle at eye-level or slightly higher, and have a professional background ready. 

Don’t have a “professional” background ready to go? You can use this feature on zoom meeting to upload any background you want. You can call your coworkers from Tahiti or inside Wendy’s (though we aren’t sure those two options would be deemed professional).

During meetings be mindful of where you’re looking when you’re lost in thought or talking. Mute yourself when you’re in large meetings, but don’t when you’re in small brainstorms. Call in from a quiet place and keep everything you need close by so you don’t need to leave the screen.

Pro tip: You can activate a beauty filter on Zoom

• Staying on Task and Connected

Office Hours - Set your office hours for every day and mark them on your calendar. Start working at your set time and “leave” when you reach the time you’ve set as your end of the business day. Don’t forget to take breaks! 

Tools - We have a couple of favorite tools like calendly to schedule appointments, Todoist to keep track of all those “to-do” lists that take up space in your head, and Asana to keep track of our team’s projects.

Stay Connected - Set up virtual “coffee chats” and “happy hours” more often than you would normally in person. Since you aren’t running into one another in the office regularly you can save up your ideas, feedback, and daily communication for your set conversation with one another.

When You're Not Working

• Build New Skills and Learn

Use this time to learn and grow while others are cozy on the couch enjoying Netflix Parties (not that we’re opposed to those in moderation!)

• Learning - You can take Ivy League Courses online for free

• Skills - Use sites like Udemy or SkillShare to learn how to do something new

• Books - Spend some down-time reading. Here’s a list of the Top 25 Self Improvement Books

• Articles - Reading is essential in keeping your noodle in shape. Since you have the time, read some long-form articles like Why Procrastinators Procrastinate, and business articles like Elon Musk: The World’s Raddest Man.

Museums, Galleries, and the Aquarium- Many museums and galleries are giving virtual tours. Here’s an exhaustive guide.The Georgia Aquarium has created a Virtual Reality Experience for those at home.

• Exercise

Our bodies are built for physical activity. Exercise will keep your physique in shape and your mind too! There are a lot of home workout routines and exercises you can do– yoga, pilates, High-Intensity Interval Training, and cardio. 

If you don’t know where to start or what to do here are a few places to start:

• Amazon Prime

• Darabee Database

• YouTube, channels like Yoga with Adriene or POPSugar Fitness

• Peloton 

• Instructors like Lia Bartha, Gina DiNapoli, and Kira Stokes are offering live classes on Instagram

• Clean and Organize

Take some inspiration from Marie Kondo and use this time to clean up and cleanout! 

• Here’s an ultimate cleaning checklist for the house

• Don’t forget digital cleanouts

• Stay Connected

• Call, text, and FaceTime your friends and family 

• Have a virtual movie night with your gang.

• Here are 7 ways to volunteer remotely

• Set up a virtual happy hour with your work friends!

Stay plugged in with us as we roll-out more information for you daily on the top information and tips for getting through the COVID-19 pandemic as a community!