Since we’re staying at home in support of the nation’s ongoing battle against the coronavirus, many of us feel bored, dreadful or even depressed.

Despite the current circumstances, some people have decided to make the most of the isolation by finding ways to stay entertained fulfilled, both physically and mentally and focus on the positive so that you have the energy and willpower needed to weather this storm

Here are 9 suggestions that you can do:

  1. Reach out to a friend by making a video call: It will help you connect emotionally and build a bond with people you generally don’t have time to contact.
  2. Limit your news intake: Choose a single news source and decide how much limited time you’ll spend with it each day. Then stick to your plan.
  3. Watch a funny video: Thanks to the huge popularity of YouTube, there are thousands of videos that can help take your mind off current events.
  4. Look after your neighbors: The act of checking in on them (keeping six feet apart) will not only make them feel good. It will make you feel good and remind you that there are others for whom this predicament is even more stressful.
  5. Support your favorite local business: Buy a gift card to help the restaurant owner now and prepay for the wonderful meal you can have to celebrate when the pandemic is behind us.
  6. Seek online educational services. Be it a skill, an art form or a language, there are many apps available for free or at a small fee that can help you reach those goals.
  7. Meditating: Do some breathing exercises and review where you are in your life. Is it going the way you wished, and is there anything you can do to make your future better?
  8. Get moving: Anything that gets the body moving will help get the brain going, as well, leaving individuals ready to start tackling those unfinished projects or new workout goals. Take a walk around the block, clean up one room in the house, take a bike ride.
  9. Look to the past: Get hope from your past resilience. You have likely endured other unforeseen major life disruptors like 9/11, major hurricanes, or the financial meltdown of 2008. You made it through! You are stronger because of it. Remind yourself of your resilience on a regular basis.

In times of constant negative messaging, we all need an antidote so that we can keep a positive attitude and march forward with determination and hope. The Youthful Aging staff reminds us to keep a positive mind, keep positive vibes, keep a positive life.

Together, we’ll get through this.

Sheila Birnbaum’s professional career has been devoted to enhancing patient care. As the Director of the Patient Advocacy Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), Hamilton, NJ, she instituted numerous programs, many which received statewide recognition, including several prestigious rewards.