So you're bored in the house and wondering how you can make staying in a little more fun. Although we are hopefully staying past the worst and most isolating part of the COVID quarantine, limiting your social interactions and staying in is still highly recommended.
In addition to staying safe physically, getting back to pre-pandemic routines also may be overwhelming. You may come to find that after the extended time spent in quarantine, decompressing from a day of physical connection could be more complicated than it was before.
Finding the balance between when to stay and when to go is a part of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery we are all going through. Times are rough, but by making a few home improvements to combat stress, you can find the strength to face the post-quarantine world head-on.
What are the steps to take while in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
You've likely had to cancel a vacation or two already and haven't been out of the house in so long that the grocery store feels like a night out. Unfortunately, even though it seems like the outside is back open, we are not necessarily in a post-pandemic world.
The phrase "post-pandemic" in correlation to COVID-19 is one that is making epidemiologists everywhere cringe. How the existence of the virus will affect us long-term is still unknown, which makes self-quarantining and social distancing still crucial for combating COVID.
Regardless of whether you've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, keep in mind that the precautions repeated throughout 2020 are still life-saving efforts. Although being vaccinated will slow down the spread and help prevent you from experiencing severe symptoms, you can still pass the virus if you become sick.
How long should you stay in home isolation if you have COVID-19?
In the event you become sick or test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home even if you've been vaccinated or feel no symptoms. Here are the easiest ways to tell how long you should remain quarantined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
● Isolation and precautions can be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and after resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications and improvement of other symptoms.
● Some adults with severe illness and severely immunocompromised patients may produce replication-competent viruses beyond 10 days that may warrant extending the duration of isolation and precautions for up to 20 days after symptom onset.
● For adults who never develop symptoms, isolation and other precautions can be discontinued 10 days after the date of their first positive test result.
● Anyone who has come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person should stay home for 14 days and watch for symptoms related to the virus.
What are some things you can do if you're quarantined at home for COVID-19?
Being safe in your home and taking precautions to prevent spreading the disease is our civic duty, but what about the boredom? What no one prepares us for is the loneliness and feeling of uselessness that comes with self-isolation.
When Netflix and FaceTiming with friends and family aren't enough to get you out of a slump, it's time to take matters into your own hands.
After a long day of work, an easy way to unwind is watching some television, playing video games, cooking, or relaxing. Preventing boredom at home is easy with these upgrades.
Upgrade Your Television Software
You can get an instant smart TV by using AppleTV, Roku, or Amazon TV Fire Stick. These streaming devices feature apps for watching your favorite shows and games and even making social media accessible from your television.
The remotes also have talk-to-text capabilities, so when you don't want to type something on the screen, you can tell it what you want. AppleTV is the most expensive, retailing for between $140-$180 depending on where you buy, making this under $200 upgrade affordable and reasonable.
Get a Sega Genesis Mini Gaming Console
If quarantining makes you nostalgic for simpler times, getting the Sega Genesis Mini Gaming Console will help fix that. Modern technology combined with old-school games like Street Fighter, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Tetris is great to keep your mind busy and fulfill some much-needed nostalgia for simpler times.
The gaming system can be found for as low as $29.95 on the GameStop website and is worth the investment toward your happiness.
What home improvements add the most value?
When debating on what to do to fill your time at home, finding ways to add value to your property is a wise decision. Even minor home improvements can drastically add value to your home, and in a seller's market, now is the time for renovations.
Whether you're looking to have a more modern kitchen, add organization space, or improve your home's efficiency to lower bills, these easy home installations will keep you busy.
Kitchen Remodel
Kitchens are a great place to start when looking to add value to your home. Even if you don't think you'll be selling soon, keeping resale in mind when designing will pay off. On average, roughly 98% of homeowners who invest in upgrading their kitchen see a return when they put their home back on the market.
A list of beginner DIY kitchen projects that will refresh your kitchen and dining space is:
● Refreshing your tile - Replacing grout gives your backsplashes a fresh new finish. Chipped dirty grout makes any space look run down, but taking time to make it unique again will go a long way. You can also use peel-and-stick tiles over your current tile to create an entirely different backsplash.
● Painting your cabinets - Even with the most updated appliances, your kitchen will be lackluster with outdated cabinetry. A new color or a new coat of paint is an easy DIY project that will transform your kitchen. You can brighten your space and add elegant finishes with cabinet handles and LED cabinet lighting.
● Installing new countertops - Countertops are high-traffic areas that endure a lot of abuse. From spills to cutting and chopping to harsh cleaners, if your countertops could use a makeover, there are fun ways you can replace them yourself.
Removing and installing new granite countertops can be a pricey job that requires a professional. However, you can get an expert finish for half the price with self-adhesive options and epoxy kits.
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are fantastic, efficient, and extremely helpful. You don't necessarily need to have Alexa to reap the benefits of this device, but being able to talk to your outlets is pretty awesome.
The convenience of smart plugs can be used from regulating holiday lights to turning on your slow cooker for dinner. They also can help you save on your energy bill and drastically reduce the chances of electrical fires.
Bathroom Renovations and Upgrades
The need to unwind should always be achievable in your bathroom. However, if your bathroom doesn't feel like a home spa or a space that makes you feel refreshed, it's time to change it up.
Similar to a kitchen, you can easily paint walls, refresh cabinets, or replace tiles, but you want to be sure that what you do is moisture protected. DIYs aside, what truly makes any bathroom feel luxurious are the decor and accessories. A tub wine holder, laptop or book bench, towel warmer, and fresh plants will turn any bathroom into a stay-at-home getaway.
Renovations to tile and interior details can be relatively cheap, but if you add extensions or increase the square footage of your bathroom at all, you will need to update your homeowner's insurance policy.
Getting Through the Pandemic Healthy
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a rough start to the modern 20s decade, but we have shimmied and fox-trotted our way through unprecedented times in roaring decade fashion.
Prioritizing your mental health through lifestyle practices such as diet and exercise is crucial, but knowing when to relax is of parallel importance. These upgrades to your home will make your quarantine or your time home from work substantially more enjoyable.
These are just a few ideas that may spark an entire realm of ideas that will make your space feel rejuvenating, tranquil, or luxurious. Then all you have to do is find what you and your home are secretly longing for.
About The Author : Danielle Beck-Hunter writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, TheTruthAboutInsurance.com. Danielle has worked closely with public health professionals and knows the importance of taking preventative COVID-19 spread measures.
