COVID-19 lockdown: Seven tips for surviving confinement

If the thought of being on lockdown terrifies you, keep reading; your friendly neighbourhood introvert has few tricks up her sleeve to keep you sane, secure and content during these trying coronavirus times.

One of the things you shouldn’t do, is give in to the panic buying craze. Not only is it unnecessary and a waste of money, but you’ll also selfishly be depriving other citizens of basic-hygiene products and food.

Before we start, a word of caution: We don’t have plenty of time to prepare for the lockdown and I realise that people are panicking, but please don’t clear out your local supermarket or grocery store.

Don’t panic-buy

Yes, by all means do some shopping and stock up on necessities, but exercise a bit of caution. You really won’t be needing 26 packets of pasta, 50 kilograms of rice and room full of toilet paper.

And you’ll still be able to buy food during the lockdown. If you must, get some non-perishables such as pasta and grains. Want fresh bread? Get the dry ingredients and make bake loaves as needed.

Also remember that we’ll still have electricity and we’re not in a doomsday scenario yet, so eating healthy (and comfort) food is most definitely on the table. Carla Lalli Music from Bon Appetit suggests:

“We’re talking about a couple of weeks, not months. I would add powdered milk, bouillon cubes, coffee, tea, flour, sugar, honey, and protein powder to that list. Butter freezes well; so does bread”.

How to stay sane during the lockdown

Stay in touch with family and friends, digitally

This tip is courtesy of Henry Porter, novelist and Vanity Fair Editor. It was simply too good not to include in this lineup. If you are capable of hosting a live video chat, Porter has the following advice:

“My solution has been to start a cocktail hour on a video conferencing site, sending one or two friends every day an invitation to drinks in front of their laptop (or phone) at a time when we might normally meet in a pub or at each other’s homes”.

He says that we need our friends and family more than ever, and adds that it is “surprising what a difference it can make to a day of isolation, and to your spirits in general, to see your friends’ faces in the evening and hear them talk and laugh”.

Check in with your loved ones: Call them, Skype them, send them funny SMS’s.

Stay active during the lockdown

Being on lockdown doesn’t mean you have to put the exercise routine on hold. And trust me, as someone who has been working remotely since before it was cool, fitness is the first thing to fly out the window.

Stay active is not only good for your physical health, but your mental health too. There are tons of channels on YouTube and ideas for workouts that won’t require gym equipment.

Stay entertained

The world revolves around more than just news updates, and the worst thing you could do during a lockdown is watch hourly updates of what is happening in the world without any other forms on entertainment.

According to Laura Hawryluck, a critical care physician and associate professor at the University of Toronto, it will “just exaggerate the symptoms of fear and its effects”. Keep it balanced.

Hawryluck suggests to make a list of all the movies and shows you’ve been meaning to watch, but never got around to. Make a list of movies and shows to watch, or books to read.

Go on a virtual tour of thousands of museums from around the world. But if you want to minimise your screen time, stock up on books, board games and puzzles. The artists among us can keep their craft supplies handy.

If for nothing else than to experiment, invest in a sketch book and pencils. Maybe it’s your thing and you just don’t know it yet.

Educate yourself

Take online courses; there are so many outlets to choose from. From Google to Udemy and SkillShare, you’d be able to learn anything from online marketing to art techniques and life hacks.

Stay healthy and practice good hygiene

Just because you’re going to be at home for 21 days, doesn’t mean you can slack when it comes to health and hygiene. You don’t need a facemask unless you’re sick, but remember to still wash your hands regularly.

Clare Collins, a professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, Australia, says that food hygiene is important, now more than ever:

“Wash your hands before you start cooking, and now it’s even more important to make sure that anyone with a cough or a cold is not doing the cooking”.

This would also be the perfect time to do a deep-clean of your home. You’re going to be stuck there for the next three weeks, make sure it’s clean and in order.

Stare a new hobby while in lockdown

Start painting, grow herbs, learn how to knit, teach yourself how to dance. There is quite literally a YouTube video for everything. To grow herbs, all you’ll need is a sunny window sill, a pot or two and seeds.

Try pickling: it’s the perfect activity with added benefits for a lockdown. You can pickle anything from mushrooms, beans and onions to peaches, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes and ginger.

Pro-tip: Plan ahead

Spend a few minutes before bedtime to prepare for the next day. If you’re working during the lockdown, you’ll probably be doing this already. If not, it will give structure to your days.

If you’re not working, is there any particular To-Do item you want to tick off? An exercise routine to try out? How about making a list of friends to call, or which online classes you want to take?

Preparing a daily routine – and maintaining it – will give a sense of control over your life. We’re on lockdown and our movement is limited, so don’t underestimate the importance of being in control of some aspects of your life.

Also read – Coronavirus lockdown: Here’s what South Africans can expect