With the national, and even international, mandates to stay at home during this pandemic, normalcy as we know it has been turned on its head. Everything from businesses to religious organizations are having to learn in real time how to adjust to remote work, worship and interaction.

Your home, once a sanctuary away from most daily responsibilities, is now supposed to function simultaneously as an office, a place of entertainment, a church, a gym, a daycare, a school. So how can you allow your home to remain a home and stay on top of daily life?

1. Designate specific areas in your home for specific purposes.

For many of us, our homes have no designated area – or even the space for – an office or classroom or gym. Even so, creating this space specific for work or school is necessary. Try to refrain from using places such as your bed, kitchen table or spaces near TV or other sources of entertainment (or distractions) to avoid those areas in your house that have been a source of relaxation; let those areas remain your haven. 

2. Enforce boundaries for yourself

Technology has allowed us to manipulate how and when we’re able to work, so the structure of order in the workplace has adjusted along with the rest of life. No longer are we under close quarters or in frequent communication with our superiors. Right now, you are, in a way, serving as your own boss, teacher, trainer. Create goals and responsibilities that you can and will stick to. Productivity now will save you ample headaches in the future.

3. Get your body moving

Whether you’re a regular gym-goer or not, life at home can seriously limit the physical activity you experienced at the gym or even in the office. If you’re working from home, take time to stand up, stretch and walk around, even if only briefly throughout the day. Physical movement, no matter how big or small, will better engage you mentally and will help to break up your day.

4. Let work time be work time and family time be family time

Take time to reinstate your former daily routines to the best of your ability and substitute social activities with family ones. If you worked 8 a.m-4 p.m. before, do so now. Don’t allow work time to bleed into suppertime. Create family game nights, tackle a new puzzle, take walks, work on that long-forgotten home project, do some spring cleaning, call your loved ones. Many of us have an abundance of time these days; take advantage of it.

Your home is a special place, full of memories, and COVID-19 will soon be one of them. May we all do our part to stay home and make the most of this time where our place of refuge becomes a place of work and worship and learning and loving those with us in new ways.