COVID-19 continues to transform our daily lives. Due to the health risks the virus poses, many public establishments have closed, businesses have gone digital, and people spend most of their waking hours inside their homes. Since there’s still no vaccine and definite date as to when this virus will subside, everyone will have to find their own simple ways of adjusting to the new normal.
Given that you’ve stayed under self-isolation over the past few months, there’s no denying that being under lockdown can be very challenging. Paired with the difficulties of lifestyle changes and the distance you need to keep from your friends and family, these times can have a great impact on your mental health.
But, even though our daily lives have changed forever, know that you can always turn things around.
Even after the pandemic has passed, you’ll likely be spending most of your days at home. Since your priorities and needs are different from what they used to be, you’ll need to go beyond the basic home maintenance to ensure that your house becomes a safe haven. To get you started, the guide below will discuss four simple ways on how you can prepare your home for the new normal.
Always stock up on supplies
Nowadays, going to the grocery is an adventure in itself. While wearing a mask and bringing a small bottle of hand sanitizer can give you multiple layers of protection, public exposure will still put you at risk of contracting the virus. With this in mind, you’ll need to go out only when it’s necessary.
Whenever you’re going out for a supply run, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough supplies that will last for two weeks. Other than stocking up on your favorite canned-foods, vegetables, and comfort snacks, remember to shop for pet supplies, cleaning materials, and medications as well. Keeping a list of everything you need to buy will prevent you from going out multiple times and even overspending.
Designate a space for work
Managing tough clients or studying for a big exam in your bedroom can be pretty challenging. It can put you in a lazy mood and blurs the boundaries between your professional and personal life. Since schools and offices are closed until further notice, one good way to counter this dilemma is to dedicate a space for work.
Working from home has many benefits, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Apart from being unable to have physical interactions with colleagues and peers, remote workers have trouble taking breaks and are prone to distractions. Building a personal office will do wonders for you since it will allow you to stay focused and keep burnout at bay.
Getting multi-purpose desks, drawers, and cabinets will help you keep important files organized and maximize every corner of your room. At the same time, you should consider investing in an ergonomic chair and a good table for maximum movement and prevent chronic posture problems.
- Maximize your space
If you’re planning to receive guests soon, then you need to make sure that social distancing is still being practiced. Many people get complacent when it comes to interacting with friends and family, and this tendency can be very risky. While it’s understandable to miss your loved ones during this period, ensuring that distance is kept will ensure everyone’s safety.
One excellent way to hack the behavior of your visitors is to maximize the space of your guest areas. Placing chairs at the dinner table at least a few meters apart from each other or putting a long table in between are some subtle ways to enforce social distancing.
- Set up sanitation areas
Other than practicing social distancing, adopting good hygiene is another preventive measure against the virus. With the number of COVID-19 cases constantly on the rise, making sure that your hands are free from germs and that common surfaces are kept clean can save your life.
Taking this factor into consideration, one way to keep your home safe is to set up multiple sanitation areas. Staying germ-free goes beyond washing your hands. Nowadays, many companies are selling state-of-the-art hygiene products, such as surface hooks, air purifiers, and UV light cleaners, to eliminate microorganisms.
While these products can be a bang for your buck, do know that practices such as placing bottles of hand sanitizer or alcohol in different areas, setting a sanitation mat in your front door, or keeping an air freshener within reach already go a long way.
Embrace the New Normal
Aside from influencing your overall well-being, always remember that spaces shape behavior. Staying in a clean and organized home won’t only keep you safe from the virus; it will also boost your mood and cognition, which can help you handle tasks and maintain your emotional health. By taking note of the tips above and revisiting your current budget, you’re one step closer to adapting to the new normal.
Author Bio
Oscar Florea is a content contributor for Avida’s lifestyle blog Pursuit of Passion. He is an engineer by profession but a multipotentialite by destiny. Just like a normal dude in a basketball-crazy country, one of his passions is shooting hoops.
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