7 Ways We Have Adjusted To Living In Quarantine
Throughout 2020, we have had to adjust the ways in which we live our lives. Through the various lockdowns, quarantines, and the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, people have found a number of ways to try to continue their lives the way they had been before. We also are finding ways in which we can change our lives for the better during this difficult time. Nothing stays the same, but we all hope it can. Change is difficult to accept, especially when it is seemingly forced on us, but we can always make the best of it.
1. Going to School Online
The first COVID-19 lockdown in Canada was in the spring of 2020 in March, which ended up cutting into the end of the school year for anyone attending or working at a school. Students in elementary, middle, and secondary school had to stay at home, and university and college students had their final exams interrupted. It was a rush to get systems set up to continue classes and exams. The first setups were not very good, but they did the trick in the short term. It took many people a long time to get used to the changes. Doing classes online, taking tests in a way that wouldn’t be considered cheating, and figuring out how to make the best of classroom time to learn and ask questions.
2. Working from Home
In the same way of getting used to going to school online, a large number of people needed to do the same for their jobs. Now, not every job could be transitioned to an online or work from home variant but those that could be able to use the internet and phones to continue work. In my own personal case, I have been able to do the majority of my work from home by going to the office just once a week.
3. Fewer Shopping Trips for Groceries
Going to grocery stores just to get milk or some junk food is not a doable proposition right now. People are needed to make trips to the store seldomly, and when they do, it's for the essentials. There are apps in some places that allow you to order groceries online and have someone do the shopping for you or pick up the groceries yourself and not having to enter the store. Remember to shop for what is considered important, like fruits, vegetables, milk, hygiene products, and other things depend on your region and what is considered important and essential.
4. Socializing Long-Distance
As humans, we are very social creatures, and being suddenly forced to cut-off all physical and close contact is difficult for a lot of us. Technology has helped a lot in that regard. Using Zoom in the same way as school and work to socialize with family and friends helps. Even having birthday parties need to be long-distance. Having a party of some sort over Zoom or something similar helps to fill that gap, especially for young children who usually invite their whole class. At least over Zoom, they will have something to look forward to.
5. Finding New Hobbies
It can be incredibly easy to get bored nowadays and hobbies are a fun way to fill our free time. Hobbies can help to relieve stress by keeping you engaged in something you enjoy. Hobbies give you a way to take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. Having a hobby can help be a great help to your social life and creating bonds with others. Partaking in a hobby can enriching to your life and helps to gives you a different perspective on things. It doesn’t matter what type of hobby you choose; you will definitely be exposed to new ideas. Hobbies help you grow in various ways, including exposing you to new opinions and to new ways to look at life.
6. Phone Call Appointments with Doctors
Going to a hospital or clinic to visit a doctor seems like a less than ideal situation right now. Many doctors are doing appointments through video conferencing or through the phone. It limits the potential for exposure. It is still very important to have regular appointments with doctors. Seeing a doctor is a vital investment for your health. Regular examinations catch problems early when they are more treatable. This is particularly important for older adults, as susceptibility to illness increases with age and with the increased risk factor of COVID-19.
7. Wearing a Mask and/or Gloves
One of the arguably largest adjustments we have had to make is wearing a mask to cover our nose and mouth whenever we leave the house or interact with another person, even from a distance. Masks are a tool that is used to suppress transmission and save lives. They also help to reduce potential exposure risk from an infected person whether they have symptoms or not. When someone coughs, talks sneezes they could release germs into the air that may infect others nearby. Face masks are part of an infection control strategy to eliminate cross-contamination. Washing hands and wearing disposable gloves are of great importance as well.
Our lives have had to adjust and change. Some of the changes are small, but some are rather drastic and take some time to get used to. The changes and adjustments with various policies are a tool that can be used by people to have guidelines to follow. Just remember that life continues, and we will get through this difficult time.
Opinions and Perspectives
Tessa_Light
3 years ago
Virtual workouts have been great. No more excuses about getting to the gym!
Sepinwall_Story
3 years ago
I've picked up painting as a hobby and it's really helped with stress relief.
SelfLove_Club_07
3 years ago
My kids miss their friends but they've become closer as siblings during this time.
CameronFerguson
3 years ago
Working from home has shown many companies that remote work is viable long-term.
VioletRoss
3 years ago
The pandemic made me appreciate my local community more. We really came together.
Belloni_Blog
3 years ago
I've realized how much money I was wasting on coffee shops before all this.
Leslie-Hart
3 years ago
Online learning works great for some subjects but terrible for others like lab work.
Mia
3 years ago
The mask wearing has actually helped my seasonal allergies. Might keep wearing one during pollen season!
IsaiahWood
3 years ago
I've become really good at cutting my own hair. YouTube tutorials for the win!
WellnessVision
3 years ago
Virtual birthday parties are better than nothing but they make me kind of sad.
DavidGreen
3 years ago
The article doesn't address how hard this has been for small business owners.
Danielle-Rhodes
3 years ago
My sleep schedule has completely changed working from home. Anyone else becoming a night owl?
SoulFlowVibes
3 years ago
I miss trying on clothes before buying them. Online shopping just isn't the same.
GlitchHacker
4 years ago
Online grocery shopping is great until they substitute items with weird alternatives.
SadieReed
4 years ago
The lack of a daily commute has given me time to exercise more. Feel healthier than ever!
TheCozyMinimalist
4 years ago
I've actually saved a lot of money during quarantine. No more impulse shopping!
BodyMind_Balance_69
4 years ago
Working from home with kids doing online school has been a nightmare. I'm exhausted.
BellamyX
4 years ago
Virtual doctor appointments are fine but I miss the personal connection with my healthcare providers.
Adrianna-Vargas
4 years ago
Being stuck at home made me finally organize my entire house. Silver linings!
Marcus_Memo
4 years ago
The whole mask situation has shown me how selfish some people can be by refusing to wear them.
Wellness_Wanderer_2024
4 years ago
I've discovered I'm an introvert during all this. Kind of enjoying the quiet life!
Bella_Smiles
4 years ago
My mental health has really suffered from all the isolation. We need to talk more about this.
Porter_Perspective
4 years ago
The article makes it sound easier than it really is. Some of us don't have the luxury of working from home.
Sustainable-Soul_77
4 years ago
I actually prefer grocery pickup now. No more wandering aisles trying to find things.
Riley_Joyful
4 years ago
We've started having virtual game nights with friends. Not quite the same but still fun!
PlantBasedJoy
4 years ago
The phone appointments with doctors are great for routine stuff but definitely not for everything.
JoshuaCruz
4 years ago
I started growing herbs and vegetables as my quarantine hobby. Nothing beats fresh homegrown tomatoes!
SawyerX
4 years ago
Online learning has been terrible for my daughter. She needs the structure and socialization of real school.
RyanB
4 years ago
The masks are important but they make it so hard to recognize people. I've accidentally ignored friends at the store!
Annie_Golden
4 years ago
I really struggle with the lack of separation between work and home life now. It feels like I'm always working.
Helena_Hope
4 years ago
My productivity at home is way better than it ever was at the office. No more chatty coworkers interrupting me!
TechNomadX
4 years ago
I've actually become closer with some friends because we make more effort to schedule regular video chats now.
Cohen_Comment
4 years ago
The article doesn't mention how much money I'm saving by not eating out at restaurants or going to movies anymore.
Bianca_Stars
4 years ago
Anyone else notice their pets are loving all the extra attention during quarantine? My cat won't leave me alone while I work!
AryaLynn
4 years ago
I agree about the Zoom fatigue. My eyes are so tired by the end of each day from staring at screens.
TheOutsiderX
4 years ago
The social isolation has been the hardest part for me. Video calls just aren't the same as real hugs and in-person conversations.
PeaceAndPositivity
4 years ago
I've gotten so used to working in my pajamas, I don't know how I'll ever go back to real clothes.
Tatum_Sunset
4 years ago
Phone appointments with doctors are convenient but I worry about them missing things they might catch in person.
Victoria-Lynn
4 years ago
The mask wearing took some getting used to but now I feel naked without one. Plus they keep my face warm in winter!
Koppel_Reports
4 years ago
Learning to bake bread became my pandemic hobby. My first few loaves were basically rocks but I'm getting better!
Lehrer_Ledger
4 years ago
I disagree about fewer shopping trips being better. I find myself stocking up too much and wasting food because I'm afraid to go to the store.
Wallace_Watch
4 years ago
My kids actually adapted to online school better than I expected. The first few weeks were rough but they got into a good routine.
Andreeva_Analysis
4 years ago
Is anyone else struggling with Zoom fatigue? I feel like I'm on video calls all day between work and catching up with family.
Maya_Dancer
4 years ago
The online grocery ordering has been a game changer for me. I actually prefer it now and spend less on impulse buys.
CyberVoyagerX
4 years ago
I've found working from home to be such a mixed blessing. Love skipping the commute but really miss the office social interactions!