Here are 6 Tips for Expatriates to Spend Their Time During the COVID-19 Quarantine
Expatriates around the globe have been quarantined or have restricted movement and travel rules during the current COVID-19 Pandemic. While some are blessed with the opportunity of working from home, others are going through the repercussions of budget cuts or struggling to make ends meet. On the brighter side, staying at home is giving us the flexibility and opportunity to retrospect and reinvent ourselves. Global nomads can enjoy quality family time as you keep yourself busy with things that you simply ignored before.
If you have kids, they will ensure that you don’t get a minute to laze around. Isn’t it fun? Here are the six best ways to spend your time during your quarantine period.
Try your Hand in Homeschooling
If you have young children at home, you have ample opportunities to keep yourself busy by tutoring them. You can spend time after work to teach them extra-curricular activities including singing, dancing, and fine arts. This lockdown period can be fun if you let your children get exposed to new forms of learning including vocational training.
Let the young minds develop skills that would help them in the long run or when they set foot in the corporate world. You can also revisit your home library and encourage your children to read books. Setting a routine will help children be disciplined and not get bored easily. Homeschooling can be fun when they get to try new things. It helps them develop different skills.
But don’t forget that adult expats also need to take this time to learn a new language or take an online course to develop some new skills.
Get Back to Your Reading Habits
Another way to spend your quarantine time is by reading some good books, or even your favorite books. Boost your IQ level or knowledge of subjects that you once never cared about. Delve into the rich history of your nation by reading encyclopedias that are collecting dust all these years in your study. Reading novels from your favorite authors. Furthermore, it can be one of the best ways to help your children get into the habit as well. Children are highly observant, so when you spend a designated time reading every day, they will follow as well.
Reduce your Screen Time
Lazing around in your living room and watching Netflix TV for hours is not healthy at all. Instead, stimulate your mind by playing chess (if you don’t know how to play, this is the best time to learn), Scrabble, or cards. It is a great way to spend some quality time with your family. A digital detox can be very rewarding for your health. Once you’re done with work, unplug and take a breather. Instead of mindlessly being on your phone, use it to get in touch with your family and friends. There are plenty of telecommunication tools to help us connect with family members.
Celebrate Nature, Step Out
Enjoy the fresh air and the deep blue sky that is devoid of modern-day pollution. If you’re going for a walk, remember to maintain social distancing. Sitting down and staying indoors for long hours can be deteriorating for health so it’s important to step outside when you can. If you can’t go outside, create your own makeshift playground for you (and your children!)
Get Creative!
Get into pottery, painting or knitting if you have an urge to do something different during this lockdown. This is a time to unleash the creativity within you. In the tranquillity of your heavenly abode, you have all the time and energy to make a difference to yourself and your society at large.
Be Optimistic, Be Realistic
Some days, working from home can dampen your spirits. However, this is not the end of everything. Quarantine is a collective way to reduce and eventually eliminate the spreading of the coronavirus. During this quarantine period, take the opportunity to introspect and be grateful for everything you have. Take precautions when grocery shopping, wash hands with soap regularly, disinfect common areas of your home, and be part of the change. Most importantly, make sure you are well protected by some high-quality global health insurance. By staying indoors, we are helping to fight the virus and keeping everyone else safe.