Promoting productivity at home is hard. Rather than working your life away, why not try focussing on yourself for a change? Quarantine is the perfect opportunity to complete all the things you’ve been putting off for the last few months (or years). We’ve compiled a list of simple and affordable life admin tasks you can complete in isolation.
- Develop a workout
Physical activity is the cornerstone of good mental and physical health, Even if you’ve led a sedentary lifestyle up until now, there’s no excuse not to get active with an at-home workout routine. The best thing is, you’re in complete privacy. Sweat, splutter, and gasp to your heart’s content, with no fear of embarrassment.
- Get your car repaired
Let’s face it — we aren’t driving as much as we used to. Instead of letting your vehicle sit abandoned in your garage, you can use this downtime to see to all those little repairs that have gone by the wayside. These can include:
- Panel beating to take care of minor dings
- Radiator repair to keep your engine cool
- Air conditioning servicing to improve comfort
- Spring clean the home
Your time stuck at home may as well be comfortable. With plenty of free time comes plenty of opportunities to slap on the rubber gloves and get to work. Make a list of everything you’ve wanted to clean around the home and work your way through, one room at a time. Keep an eye on council hard waste collection dates to get rid of those big ticket items like old sofas and broken appliances.
- Go to the dentist
While a lot of elective dental procedures are off the table, there’s still opportunity to take care of you teeth. If you have a painful tooth anomaly that needs attention, now is the perfect time. Ulcers, tooth damage, and extractions are all on the table. Use your time at home to recover from these procedures in comfort.
- Build a budget
Whether through loss of employment, or through lifestyle change, many people are currently experiencing financial uncertainty. Isolation is a good excuse to sit down with your significant other and work out a new household budget. You can factor in loss of income, government payments, changes in expenditure — everything you need for a stable fiscal footing in the future.
- Learn online
Productivity doesn’t end at work. Take some time to figure out all the personal proficiency projects that you’ve forgotten about. There are thousands of free and low-cost online resources that can help you learn a new skill, gain some more knowledge, or delve deep into your interests.
- Help others
Charity goes a long way in a time of crisis. But you don’t have to sponsor a child or build a school to get those good feelings inside. Look to your inner circle first. Does an elderly neighbour need a helping hand? Do you know someone that could use a nice meal? A little time and effort goes a long way in helping those closest to you adjust to this new way of life.
Quarantine doesn’t have to be uncertain or scary. If you put your mind to it, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied. With a bit of work, you can come out the other side better than when you went in.