31 Important Things to Do to Make the Best Use of Your Time During a Pandemic
By: Danny Forest
Tags: Mental Health, Inspiration, Education, Life Lessons, Self Improvement

The list below is ordered by the “don’ts” first, followed by categories ascending.

Don’t

1. Don’t panic

Some people simply have their lower brains “stronger” than their higher brain, resulting in difficulty controlling their emotions when in fear. If you know someone who’s panicking, don’t judge them, help them.

The measures taken currently (lockdowns and shutdowns) are the right measures to prevent the exponential spread of the virus. This is temporary. Everything will get back to (a new and probably improved) normal.

How to not panic:

Use deep breathing

Talk to someone calm but aware of the situation

Use muscle relaxation techniques

Picture your happy place and see yourself there a few months from now

Additional resources:

2. Don’t hoard everything you can get your hands on

People who hoard things they don’t need are robbing it from people who need it. I came back early from vacation to an apartment with no food or supplies and with no easy way to get anything.

The less resourceful people may starve and lack supplies for proper hygiene. Be kind. You wouldn’t want to be in such a situation. Share the goods. We’re all in this together.

How to not hoard:

Ask yourself: Do I have enough for three weeks? If so, the rest is extra.

Shop at Amazon, where they restricted to a maximum of 2 of each item per customer

Adopt the above mentality if going to a grocery store (that still has stock)

Don’t think about profiting from selling rare items. Kindness feels MUCH better than greed.

Additional resources:

3. Don’t be glued to the news

Do you really need to know the number of cases for all countries and the names of people affected? Be aware of the situation and its latest developments, but realize that news is on repeat. The more you hear the same thing, the more it sinks into your brain. That’s how you start to panic.

How to not be glued to the news:

Turn the TV on to watch the news only for 30 minutes per day

Or don’t watch the TV and read the news online instead. But again, limit yourself to 30 minutes

Ask someone to give you daily updates

Only follow things by the CDC, John Hopkins, WHO, or other reliable sources

4. Don’t fuel your bad habits

If you’re quarantined at home and not working, view this as an opportunity to catch up on things you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t take the time (more on that throughout this article).

Don’t let yourself get back to your bad habits. You’ll realize that if your time isn’t occupied with a primary activity, it’s easy to fall off your good habits and resort back to your bad ones.

How to not fuel your bad habits:

Track your habits

Find activities to fill your time (see Activities section next)

Keep your regular morning and evening routine

Get yourself a Pavlok

Additional resources:

5. Don’t sit around and mope

There’s really only one important thing to do during a pandemic: manage your time productively. With the word “productive”, I don’t necessarily mean work, I mean activities that do yourself and your loved ones some good. For example, entertainment is a productive use of your time. All of the above are not.

How to not sit around and mope: