Best-selling author Malcom Gladwell once implied that repetition is key. He was obviously never quarantined during a pandemic. Repetition has become a negative part of our daily lives, making every day boring and painstakingly familiar. For most of us, it may seem incredibly hard to not go crazy when life feels like one big routine. So, here are five tips to stay sane in quarantine.

First off is journaling. Journaling is an activity that many people write off (pun intended) as an activity for writers and creative thinkers. This is 100% NOT true! Journaling does not need to entail an elaborate story or in-depth thoughts. Instead, it can just be writing down what happened in a day.

“I’m about to go to bed and I’m like wait I gotta do this or write this down,” freshman Evan Baxter said. Jotting down emotions, thoughts, and opinions can be one of the best ways to ease a person’s mind, clarify their thoughts, and keep the negativity away. 

Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins from the brain, which triggers a positive feeling in the body. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk around the neighborhood or making up a dance routine to a favorite song. Any amount of exercise, small or large, will help someone become more positive and focused. Additionally, any chance to go outside, with the appropriate protective gear and social distancing protocol, should be seized upon. Sometimes all that is needed is a change of scenery to clear the mind.

Next, reading offers everyone a space where they can drift out of reality and enter any place they choose. A good book can wrap someone up in a world of carefree adventure, which is a pure gift. Or maybe instead of reading, take some time to yourself. Forget about Canvas assignments and what to get for dinner for a moment and do some meditation. There are multiple apps that can be used for guided meditation, but there’s always self guided meditation with breathing exercises and mindfulness. Both reading and meditation are good ways to escape from the reality of life to find a moment of peace. 

Connecting with others is a vital part of our survival as humans, and it is even more important in quarantine. If you’re feeling lonely or sad, talk to someone about it! Most likely others are feeling that way too. There are many different platforms used to talk to others including Zoom, Face Time, and Discord. Even a few minutes of conversation can help to cheer people up.

“Seeing and talking with my students cheers me up and puts me in a good mood,” 9th grade English teacher Jennifer Evans said. If you’re on the fence about trying to connect with someone, just go for it! They are more than likely feeling bored, lonely, or sad, and are waiting for someone to reach out. 

Lastly, pick something to do around the house that’s been procrastinated. It could be spring cleaning, painting a picture of a beloved pet, or finishing a short story. Either way, creating tasks helps give people a purpose, which is especially useful in quarantine. If feeling especially creative, make a list of everything that needs to be done. Checking them off will make anyone feel super accomplished! Making goals is the easiest way for anyone to stay busy and sane. 

Hopefully these tips help during quarantine. It can be tough to stay in and miss all of those days of adventure and fun with friends, but with a little effort, daily quarantine life can be exciting too. Stay safe and sane out there.