Hello everyone, it’s Cassie Harris, one of your program directors. I’ve never been a homebody; I thrive on exploring and being outside. Being in this quarantine, trapped inside without a car to go anywhere has taught me a lot. I’ll admit that being inside all day every day is tough, and anybody should avoid being inside 24/7, if they can avoid it. I haven’t mastered the perfect routine, nor am I licensed to be giving any sort of medical advice, but here are some tips and tricks I use to make the most of quarantine.
Cassie Harris
Program Director
- Stay off of the news as much as possible. I know, I know, the news is important to keep up-to-date on important information. However, news stations are still functioning businesses, and the way they make money is by viewership. They keep good viewership by producing content they know people will watch. Yes, the news does have a ton of time-sensitive information, but it also has a lot of what I like to call “filler news.” There’s a ton of misinformation and negativity, so pay attention to information that comes directly from health care professionals and official government statements.
- For the love of bagels, go outside. Treat yourself. Indulge in the fresh, clean air that only comes from Mother Nature. Not only is vitamin d important, but being surrounded by fresh air and nature can be calming and relaxing (Psst... you should check out our Earth Day Livestream Hike on Wednesday). If you can access hiking trails or nature paths, I recommend you do so. Being trapped in made-made boxes can get stuffy after a while.
- Workout all parts of your brain. For me, this means trying to do small creative projects that require minimal effort. For others, this may mean doing sudoku and crossword puzzles. For others, this may mean reading. It’s really all about balance. I try to balance my days based on my homework. If I have a ton of homework for a design class, I’ll do something that challenges my brain in a way other than being creative. If I am writing an essay, I might play some trivia games with friends. If I am studying and memorizing for a class, I can balance it by making a collage.
- Get physical. Since gyms are closed, I’m definitely struggling a ton. However, I’m finding little ways to keep my booty moving throughout the day. It’s all about finding what works for you. Whenever I play video games, I stand; whenever there’s a loading screen, I’ll break out a few squats. These are easy-to-do things that are low-intensity, so it doesn’t even feel like I’m staying active. I also like to do random sets of push ups. Whenever the thought of push ups pops into my head, I’ll drop and do 10-20 push ups. I also do random upper body workouts with things around my apartment. I’ll use boxes of canned soda, cases of water, or my roommate’s 10 pound cat to do simple workouts. No worries, the cat is never injured. I also try to go on a walk or run every day. Instead of judging distance, I’ll base my workout off of time. I’ll set a timer for 30 minutes and run or set a timer for 90 minutes and walk. If you are quarantining with others, running and walking is a great activity to keep each other motivated.
Cassie Harris
Program Director
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