1) Stick to a routine (including a consistent bedtime.) Don’t sleep-in. Comb your hair, brush your teeth, take a bath. Don’t stay in your pajamas. There must be a higher purpose. “Embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing to put up with the situation.” When one doesn’t have a sense of purpose, you tend to feel insecure and lonely and powerless.
2) Set goals. Make a checklist of the things you want to accomplish in that single day.
3) Stay occupied. Keep yourself busy. Organize the house, start writing a novel, read, write poetry or begin a journal, do art, play an instrument, organize your photo albums, scan old photos (digital decluterring), prepare a financial plan. What have you always wanted to do but could not find the time? Isolation does not mean lying down watching TV the whole day.
4) Pace yourself so as not to get swallowed up in to-do lists. Have a movie night with popcorn or peanuts. Get some fresh air. Exercise.
5) Maintain a work-life balance. Psychologically create a home and workplace out of one building/the house. Don’t work in the bedroom. Dress up before doing professional work.
6) Communicate effectively to lessen interpersonal conflict. Share feelings. Familiarity should not breed contempt. Address faux pax, admit to mistakes and apologize when needed, respect personal space. Make a conscious effort NOT to raise that voice. Continue reaching out to friends. “Virtual technology is a darn good second.”
7) Lead by example and be a good follower of rules.
8) Have time apart from people in your household. Deliberately split up: one goes to the backyard, another goes to the front yard, someone goes to another part of the house. Strive for greater tolerance of each other.
9) Stay informed with credible sources. Do research. Understand the actual risks by separating perceived fear from real dangers.
10) Self care. Stay healthy. Practice good hygiene. Get enough sleep.
11) Think group living. There are different opinions, cultures, perceptions, skills, personalities. This is not the time to be competitive but to work together. “Our lives depend on each other.”
12) Relax. This CoVID is like a full marathon — not a sprint. This, too, will pass.