So you’re stuck at home on quarantine for multiple weeks due to the COVID pandemic and getting cabin fever… Since every minute is a gift from God, why don’t we invest the newfound time into positive and constructive activities rather than binge watching the whole new season of Ozark?
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” -Psalms 90:12
Below are some suggestions of activities and that Natalie and I are implementing during our quarantine time.
Conduct a Sleep Experiment:
Go to bed at the same time each night and see ideally how much sleep your body naturally needs. Our sleep schedule was erratic for the first several nights but after 2 weeks, we found that I naturally wake up at about 8.5 hours and Natalie naturally wakes up about 9.5 hours.
Nutrition Habits:
We are experimenting with intermittent fasting between 8pm to 10am each day. Once this our metabolisms acclimate, we will consider adding 1 day/week of complete fasting.
Home Fitness:
Do a stretching and a strength exercise program each day. We have been using YouTube, Peloton, and Beach Body for classes. If you’re up for a real challenge, do P90X Plyometrics then P90X Ab Ripper X or P90X2 Triometrics then P90X2 Ab Ripper.
Prayer and QUIET TIME:
Focus your mind each day for at least 10 minutes through prayer and quiet time with God. Ransomed Heart Ministries has an app for this called “The One Minute Pause” that can guide you in prayer.
Build Relationships:
Spend an hour each day building existing relationships or reconnecting lost relationships. FaceTime or call a family member or an old friend. Avoid email or texting if possible. Our family mostly uses iPhones so we used Facetime to group chat. For larger group chats (more than 3 phones/computers), Zoom works great.
Or try a Virtual Happy Hour with friends on Zoom!
Organize Your Thoughts:
Write or journal for 10 minutes per day. I personally journal daily using a slightly modified Eric Liddell journal/prayer method. The categories I journal about are: Surrender, Repent, Give Thanks, Prayers, Scripture Lessons, One Thing for the Day
explore some new content:
Finish that book you’ve been putting off, listen to an episode of your favorite podcast, watch a documentary. Seek some new content in order to expand your mind.
Tidy Up:
Reorganize your home by donating or throwing away any unused, unnecessary, and/or homeless items.
Reconnect with a lost childhood passion:
Spend 30 minutes each day on a interest/hobby/passion from when you were younger that you’ve lost touch with. Some examples would be cooking, art, music, writing, etc.
Eliminate Caffeine or Alcohol Consumption:
What better time to break your caffeine addiction than during your sleep study?? And save yourself some calories and dollars by taking a break from drinking.
Eliminate Complaining and Non-Constructive Criticism:
Work up to 7 days straight without allowing your attitude to turn negative. Restart your counter each time you catch yourself complaining!
God-Led Improvement:
Rather than working for your employer for a day, spend an entire 8 hour workday seeking God’s guidance and cultivating your personal goals and ambitions.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9
No electricity challenge:
We actually haven’t done this one, but if you’re trying to really get out of your comfort zone, for one day only strive to use no phones, computers, or lights from when you wake up to when you go to bed. Obviously you don’t have to go crazy and unplug the refrigerator, but the intent is to cut as many electronics as possible. Wake up with the sun and go to bed with the sun!
What other ideas do you have to maximize your quarantine time? Please comment and send us your ideas!
