Working from home isn’t something that I’m unaccustomed to; however, the last time that I worked from home for an extended period of time was back in 2012 when I was recovering from my torn Achilles. During that summer, I had a general idea of when I would be returning to work based on the recovery timeline from surgery. 

This time is different. While my “Work from Home End Date” is at the end of the month, I’m anticipating it will be extended quite a bit past that (schools here are already closed until the end of April). 

In an attempt to find a silver lining, I’m looking at what sort of good habits I can try to form during this time. I’ve read multiple times that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so this prolonged working from home is a good time to start. 

5 Habits to Begin While Social Distancing

Some of these habits are good to get through isolating times, and other are ones that could easily be continued once life starts returning to normal. 

Drink More Water

I like to think that I drink enough water; however, I know that it is something I could improve. For the past couple weeks, I’ve been alternating between working in Brad’s home office and the kitchen island. When I’m at the island, it is so easy to simply refill my tumbler whenever it is empty. 

If you need a bit of help or motivation, how about this water tracking bottle so you can see how you’re progressing throughout the day? This is a great habit to make and hopefully keep once you go back to the office. The water tracking bottle would definitely help once you return since it has the time markings to keep you on track. 

Start a Skincare Routine

I haven’t put on makeup since my first day working from home. I’m terrible about actually removing my makeup, so my pores are a bit clogged from everyday life. Since I’m not currently wearing makeup, I’m working on my nightly routine of washing my face and using all those products that I bought with good intentions. 

Hopefully once I start wearing makeup again this habit will already be part of my nightly routine and sticks. 

Train Your No-Shampoo Hair

Have you heard about people who can go multiple days without washing their hair? I’ve always been scared to try this because hair goes through an extra oily stage before it gets to normal. Since you’re not going to be seeing people outside your house, it is the perfect time to train your hair on how to go days between washings. 

Make sure to pickup some Dry Shampoo to help in those days between washes. 

Take an Evening Walk

Seattle has surprisingly had nice weather for the middle of March. We’ve been able to get in a few evening walks throughout the neighborhood (making sure to avoid other people with the same idea). If you’re also working from home, use your commute time for an evening walk, or a chance to get out in your backyard. 

This habit might be harder to keep as life returns to normal, but it is still good to get outside now so life doesn’t feel so isolating. 

Meal Planning

Time to put those thinking caps on and really use the ingredients in your freezer and pantry. I haven’t put up my Menu Board in our new kitchen, but have realized that I need to think through what we have and how to make the most out of what we already have. As I take inventory of our freezer, I’m realizing that there is so much that I bought with good intentions and now is the time to actually use those items. 

I’m hopeful that this new way of life will only be for a few weeks if we as a society manage to social isolate well enough; however, I think that we’re in for a longer haul of being home. What habits would you like to start while practicing social distancing?