We could lay on the couch and watch reruns of The Office while we’re home for a few weeks amidst the COVID-19 (coronavirus) self-quarantine. Or we could look at this as an opportunity to get some things done we have been putting off. Let’s put on our rose-colored glasses for a little while and make the most of the time we have at home. Maybe even help a neighbor.
Here are a few things that you can check off your to-do list and a few that are just nice to do right now.
Clean and organize your pantry
Besides the fact that you may find a box of pasta that got stuck in the back, you also can also throw away any expired foods and maybe even get some fun dinner inspiration. Open boxes not only could contain stale food, but not having food in air-tight containers could cause pest issues. Now that you’re home, you may notice pests more than you would have. Cockroaches just can’t get enough of open food containers. Ants really enjoy nice sugary spills. And mice and rats can gnaw through just about anything including the cardboard box holding your crackers. And of course, call Waltham Pest Services if you see any pests at all. You may have caught them early enough for Waltham to provide a quicker and easier fix than if you waited or found them later.
Spruce up your yard
Fresh air, exercise, nicer curb appeal, and pest control – that’s what you’ll get by cleaning up around the outside your home. Trimming back bushes, pulling any weeds that may have survived the mild winter, and doing some raking are just some of the things you can do. Leaf piles and overgrown shrubbery are great hiding spaces for insects, rodents, and other pests. Is your old wood pile infested with termites? Cleaning out the gutters will alleviate the standing water that can accumulate up there. Mosquitoes love to breed in standing water!
Practice self-care
Do a little meditation. Download a yoga app and get the kids involved. Those cucumber slices that you cut for your salad – lay them on your eyes instead. Do an at-home facial and wake up your skin. A 20-minute power nap can do wonders for you. During these stressful and chaotic times, we need to remember to take a step back and take better care of ourselves. There’s a reason airline safety officials tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before attempting to help others. If you’re not well, you can’t help someone else feel better.
Help out a neighbor
Did you stock up on supplies to weather the next few weeks? Well done! Not everyone was so lucky or prepared. Wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 30 seconds, put on gloves, and make up a care package for an older neighbor. Go over each item with a disinfectant wipe just to be sure and spray the bag with disinfectant too. Fill the bag with a can of soup, a snack like cookies, bottled water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, a nice note, and a crossword puzzle or good book. Leave it on your neighbor’s doorstep, knock, and walk away. No need to stick around and risk spreading germs – we have to remember to continue practicing good social distancing. But you could be the positive difference in their day.
There are plenty of things we all could do while stuck home. This is a short list! We could go on and on, really. But maybe this list will get you through that daunting first week. Take it day by day. That’s how we’re all living right now. But that’s OK.