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10 things baby boomers can do if they’re in quarantine

Shelter in place day number two here in California, where I live, one of the states hardest hit by the coronavirus. As my baby boomer husband said the other day: “Wake up to another day in Coronaville.”

“Coronavirus.” “pandemic.” “Shelter in place.” “COVID-19.” “Social distancing.” “Self-quarantine.” “Stay at home.” “Lockdown.” “Isolation.” To think that just a month ago these words were not part of our everyday vocabulary. People wearing masks, empty supermarket shelves, incessant handwashing, travel bans, closed schools, working from home, and a plummeting stock market.

This is our new normal.

On Thursday, the governor of California issued a statewide stay-at-home order in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. To date, five other states have done the same. Basically, that means staying home with the exception of going to the store, seeing relatives, going to the doctor, or exercising outside (as long as you stay six feet away from everyone). Schools and all non-essential businesses have been closed. If that news wasn’t dire enough, the governor also warned that 56% of California’s population is at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Now, there is a sobering thought.

We baby boomers, specifically those 60 and older, well, it turns out we’re the ones susceptible to getting very sick from this virus. Although we feel young, tough and invincible when we first hear about this pandemic, it seems that boomers are finally taking notice. And that’s a good thing.

I don’t want to be alarmist, but can I make a suggestion? If you’re a baby boomer over the age of 65 and not in quarantine or isolation, you should seriously consider it, even if it’s not currently required where you live. That is certainly the case if you have underlying health problems. I know I know Self-quarantining wasn’t exactly on her wish list, and we boomers are used to active, social lives. But look at what happened in China and what is happening right now in Italy and Spain at breakneck speed.

COVID-19 transmission is highly contagious and surprisingly easy to spread. Now, medical experts tell us that the virus can survive on surfaces for up to three days. Younger people may not even have symptoms, so family members or friends can spread the disease without even realizing it. Currently, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation period (the time between when you get the virus and when symptoms start) for the new coronavirus is 2 to 14 days after infection. exposition.

The saying, “prevention is better than cure” has never been truer. Ok, reading again, but please take care, my friends.

So what can you do if you’re like me, stuck at home, to stop thinking about all this chaos?

Before I list 10 things you can do if you’re in quarantine, remember to stay safe, but remain calm and positive. While we should take this virus seriously, don’t be glued to the television watching gloomy news. Instead, focus on the many reasons we all have to be thankful for. At the end of the day, acknowledge that you’ve been given another chance to see the sunrise, acknowledge something you’ve accomplished, or take note of a person you’re grateful to have in your life.

Well, here are ten ways to stay sane:

* Eat right and stay active. This is not the time to stress, eat and enjoy comfort food. You’ll only feel worse in the end, trust me. Exercise – outdoors if possible. I still go for walks, bike rides, and hikes on trails, keeping a safe six-foot distance from others, of course. I can literally feel the stress melt away. Calm nature. However, if that’s not possible, there are plenty of free exercise videos on YouTube geared toward people over 50. Look at them.

* Strengthen your connections. Stay in touch with your family and friends. I belong to a small sign language congregation and we started using Zoom for our meetings. Maybe I’m behind technically because I’ve never heard of Zoom before, but this is a great way for a group of people to communicate with each other during these times. It is very important not to isolate yourself. You can also stay in touch with your loved ones through text messages, email, social networks, Skype or Face Time. do you hate technology? Write an old-fashioned letter or create cards to brighten the day of your loved ones.

* I feel so lucky to be a writer, which has served me as therapy throughout my life. Take advantage of your muse. Keep a journal, write a poem, or start a blog. Begin the great American novel that has been spinning around in your head. Start that memory or family history. You will be surprised how quickly time passes. In fact, if you’ve always dreamed of becoming a writer and want to pursue the craft in your golden years, stay tuned. In my new book, to be released next year, I will provide inspiration and motivation as I share my knowledge and experience to help you start your writing journey. What if you hate writing? Try some other creative outlet. Paint, create jewelry, sing or dance.

* Do you know that we baby boomers are always told to exercise our brains? Now is the perfect time to do it. Why not take an online class? Make a puzzle. Learn a new skill. Do you want to learn a new language? My son, Chris Gorges, an interpreter for the deaf, offers free educational content for those who want to learn sign language on his ASL Basics YouTube channel.

* Take time to savor the little moments. Even during lockdown, you can go outside to enjoy the song of a bird, the smells after a storm, or the beauty of a sunset. Savor simple things like the first day of spring in your garden or that first sip of coffee.

* Read those books that have been collecting dust on your shelf or check out the best sellers on Amazon. Looking for tips? I thought Elizabeth Strout’s “Olive, Again” was brilliant. Mary Beth Keane’s “Ask Again, Yes” and Sayaka Murata’s quirky “Convenience Store Woman” were also worth it. And if you want spooky, try Alex Michaelides’ “The Silent Patient,” Lisa Jewell’s “The Family Upstairs,” or Samantha Downing’s “My Lovely Life.”

* Resist the urge to lie in bed or lounge in your pajamas all day. Get up, take a shower, brush your teeth and put on nice clothes. Structure your day with some goals to achieve. You will feel better and it will help you maintain a positive attitude.

* Now is the perfect time for some spring cleaning. Empty out that junk drawer, get rid of the clothes you never wear, and clear out. Do your taxes so you have one less thing to worry about. Tasks will distract you and help you feel productive.

* Do you have an old guitar or saxophone in the closet? Dust off that old instrument, take lessons, or start practicing.

* Pamper yourself. Take a long bubble bath. Listen to music from the 60s and dance around the house. Add your favorite songs to your playlist. Give yourself a facial. Sleep or take a nap. Look through an old photo album. Sit outside in the sun. Feel stressed? Make sure to read something spiritual and inspiring every day. Pray. Practice deep breathing. Do some Pilates. Try using an app like Calm or Headspace. Do you need distraction? Watch a favorite old black and white movie from your childhood or a movie that makes you laugh out loud. Get a free trial of a streaming service and watch as much as you can before it expires.

There you have 10 things to help you get through these harrowing and unprecedented times. You are not alone. We baby boomers will get through this together!

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