For the past few days, I've been spending my time in 35 square meters in central Munich. I enjoy the sunshine through an open window. Future hikes and excursions have been canceled for now. Like many others, I'll be spending the next few days within my own four walls. A forced break, essentially. If we want our freedom back soon, we should all stick to this break. Every one of us. That's why I have 10 tips for making the most of this newfound time.
Self-imposed quarantine
I should say upfront that I'm a fairly introverted person. I don't find it hard to close the door behind me and go days without seeing or hearing anyone. I regularly did that even before the coronavirus crisis.
I'm the kind of person who recharges by spending time alone. Self-prescribed me-time is important to me. I'm not a doctor, but I know a thing or two about self-isolation, so I have plenty of tips to share from experience.
1. Don't consume too much negative news
For me, this is the most important item on the agenda. After three days at home and a seemingly endless flood of negative news, I simply turned off the coronavirus push notifications from newspapers and media outlets that were popping up every minute. Just like that. Gone.
Now I make time for the news in the morning, after I get up. That's it. I even try to spend less time on social media. Because it isn't good for me. And I can't imagine it's good for you either, especially if you're sitting at home alone with nothing to do but think about it all.
By the way, I haven't turned off all my notifications. My phone still lets me know whenever the Instagram account The Happy Broadcast posts something new. Recent posts have featured things like plastic-eating caterpillars and a T-shirt made from algae that can produce as much oxygen as a 6-year-old oak tree. They make me feel like the world isn't entirely lost after all.
2. Keep in touch with people you know
With so many people at home right now, there's suddenly time for long phone calls. That's nice. Instead of just a quick update on the way to work, you can take your time over a conversation. A deep conversation with someone important to you who lives far too far away is completely different from a quick catch-up call.
So give it a chance. Arrange a time to talk on the phone. Think about the people you know scattered around the world whom you haven't heard from in ages. Now is the right time to reach out. Ask how they're really doing, take time to listen and chat about anything and everything.
Of course, it's not the same as sitting in a café with your best friend, going on a mountain hike together or dancing together at a club in the evening. But maybe it can broaden your horizons a little again.
3. Read and learn
Honestly, when was the last time you actually picked up a book? I love reading, but I rarely get around to it. Maybe a few pages before falling asleep, but that's usually it. Now that I'm not busy packing a suitcase, processing the impressions of daily adventures or typing away on Instagram until late at night, I suddenly have time for it again.
Time to let my thoughts wander in a fantasy world. For me, that's almost as freeing for the mind as breathing in clear mountain air. Make yourselves really comfortable with tea or a glass of wine, and let yourselves get lost in other people's stories.
Of course, you don't have to stick to novels; you can also feed your mind with nonfiction. And you don't need to go to the library for that. There are so many books available online to read on a screen. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the app onto your tablet or phone and read almost any book available, even while in quarantine.
4. Exercise
Eating, reading and relaxing aren't good for the body in the long run either. They might be completely satisfying in the short term, but eventually even I feel the urge to move again.
At least in Germany, there's currently nothing stopping you from going for a jog in the woods or a walk along the lakeshore. Ideally without much contact with other people, of course, but a little exercise in the fresh air never hurt anyone.
If you're confined to your apartment, though, you don't have to sit around doing nothing. Of course, only if you're feeling well and your health allows it. On YouTube alone, there are tens of thousands of videos under the search term "Home Workout“.
I've also heard of yoga teachers who aren't currently allowed to hold classes, so they spontaneously recorded online classes instead. Three cheers for the internet. Digital technology is even helping us stay fit.
5. Make time to unwind
Exercise is good, learning is good, and keeping in touch is good too. But when was the last time you really gave yourself an evening just for you? Some people might find a bath relaxing. If that's you, go for it. Run yourself a bubble bath and enjoy.
I've never been much of a bath person. But every now and then, I need some offline time. Time to switch everything off. To let only the candles flicker. To listen to my breathing and let thoughts come and go. Nothing more. Just giving myself a break.
Give it a try. Take some time just for yourself again. Without devices. Without a book. Without constantly looking for something to do. Pour yourself a glass of wine or a cup of tea and spend some time with yourself. Listen to your inner voice. Get to know yourself better. If there's never time for that otherwise, there is now.
And just so we're clear: It doesn't have to be three hours a day. Start with 5 minutes. If you find it makes you feel good, gradually make your breaks longer.
6. Plan future trips
By the way, you can find great travel reading and fascinating personal accounts at HOME of TRAVEL >
Goals are important. They help me get through times when I feel like I'm just standing still. But they don't have to be career milestones, and setting goals shouldn't just be about getting unpleasant tasks out of the way. Sure, that makes you feel productive, and that's important too.
But think about goals you can look forward to as well. Plan your next trip for the summer. Consider a camping trip. Look for hotels for the autumn holidays. When you have something to look forward to, the time when you can't do anything becomes more bearable too. Because then you know: There's more to come!
I'm currently planning my autumn holiday. Nothing is definite yet, but I'm clicking through so many articles and descriptions, reading up on regions and researching hotels and restaurants.
7. Cook something really good
When I'm travelling a lot, I usually eat on the road or at the hotel. And when I'm only in Munich for a day or two, I usually skip grocery shopping and eat out there too. Now that I'm spending longer in the city, I finally have food at home again.
That also means I'm cooking. And I'm enjoying it so much right now. My cooking skills still have room for improvement for lack of practice, but I can now whip up a dish or two based on pasta or rice.
Take your time, get behind the stove and create something in those pots that you're really, really looking forward to eating. I love eating home-cooked food. Even if doing the dishes afterwards is incredibly annoying, of course.
Also of interest: 5 Tyrolean specialities with recipes >
8. Declutter your mountain gear
The current ski season is over. For me, at least. If you're done with winter too, now is a good time to put your skis away in the cellar. You could even give them a protective coat of wax before storing them.
Otherwise, I'm decluttering at the moment. I've accumulated so much outdoor gear over the years. I don't need all of it, and some of it I don't even wear anymore. So I'm sorting it into things I'll give away and broken, unusable items that should have been thrown out long ago.
You wouldn't believe how much space you can create in a 35-square-metre apartment by parting with a few things. You can get your spring cleaning done at the same time. Perfect, right?
9. Learn a new language
I have to admit, this is something I keep promising myself I'll do, but never follow through on. I always tell myself I'm no good at languages. I think I have my bad grades in French and English at school to thank for that. They really undermined my confidence in that respect.
But honestly, I love Duolingo. And every now and then, I do find myself back on the app. I spend a lot of time on it and get excited about every little bit of progress I make.
And if I'm going to be cooped up in here for longer, maybe I'll start learning a new language again. How about Spanish, for example? Or brushing up on my French?
10. Time for a TV marathon
And sometimes you just don't want to educate yourself, think about the future, learn a new language or cook anything. Sometimes you just want to curl up on the couch, turn on Netflix and forget about the whole world for a moment.
And you know what? That's okay! There's a little more time for that now, too. Treat yourself to a TV marathon and unwind if that's what you need right now. Real life will come knocking again soon enough.
Also of interest:
> Coronavirus: Travel and safety advice in Europe
> #flattenthecurve: Simulation shows why it matters
> HOME of TRAVEL: Travel reading for a break