Living large while keeping low – surviving social distancing

Social Distancing can be trying on our mental wellbeing, but it’s not impossible to live large while keeping low.

As social distancing measures increase in severity day by day, and the reality of COVID-19 forcing us to isolate hits around the world, we’re going to need some strategies on how to adapt to this new way of living for a while. 

If you’re part of the Tiny home living movement – (hint: if you’re living in a granny flat, then that’s you) you may need to be even more savvy and strategic in how you adapt. Living on the Central Coast usually means a love for the great outdoors, but we are about to enter a time where we might need to explore the great indoors. 

Imagination and innovation will be the key to how we get through this disorienting time. We thought we’d share some of the best ideas on how to keep healthy as the need to stay home increases.

Make your bed and get dressed.

6 words as suggested by the writer Eizabeth Gilbert on how to start each and every day. The author of popular books such as “Eat Pray Love” is an experienced “quarantiner”, who is used to self-isolating and working from home. 

It’s easy to think that just because you’re bunking down in your granny flat and no one is going to visit you that you can spend all day in your pyjamas. Sure, you can do that if you want, and by all means, indulge in it if it feels good. But as far as a long term plan, we suggest starting your day as you would any other, and the simplest way to do this is to make your bed and get dressed!

Find some fresh air.

Whether it’s opening the window and blasting a fan, or even just stepping outside your front door to do some stretching. Find a way to get some of that beautiful Central Coast nature into your life for at least 30 minutes a day. Social distancing doesn’t mean total disconnection from the real world. Nature is still your friend and is a great mental relief during stressful times.

If you do go outside for a walk make sure you wash your hands when you return!

Stay hydrated and eat well.

It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re staying in one spot as you probably aren’t moving around as much as you usually do. Having a fridge right next to you all day can also mean instead of eating healthy meals you just pick and snack all day. You don’t want to develop any other health problems at this time!

Take your time to think about what you want to eat and have water close by all day. We know the grocery stores are a madhouse right now, but there’s still plenty of fresh food on the shelves. This could be an opportunity to learn how to cook that new dish you’ve always wanted to but have never got around to.

Reach out to others.

It’s not hard to see that we’re probably going to miss face to face time with our friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have any contact with them at all. Set aside a time each day to call someone, whether it’s a friend or grandparent. 

It’s amazing how little connection is needed sometimes to boost your sense of mental health. Don’t wait for someone to reach out to you, make the first initiative.

Do something creative or playful.

This might be as simple as rearranging the interior design of your granny flat. If you’re living in a granny flat there will unlikely be any more than 2 rooms, but a space can feel remarkably fresh by simply moving a couch to a different place, for example. Maybe play around with creating some extra room if you can.

Alternatively, try something that activates your brain a little more than watching Netflix over and over. Maybe it’s time to try learning that instrument you’ve always wanted to? or how about buying some paints to make something fun for your wall?

It doesn’t matter what, really, just so long as it’s something novel that feels fun and playful!

Finally, be kind to yourself and others.

This is no doubt a trying time for everyone. There are a lot of unknowns at the moment and that can make people very anxious. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, try to take a few deep breaths and remember that this is new terrain for everyone, and remind yourself that it’s ok to be feeling like this. We’re all in this together.