One of the hardest parts of quarantine is that there is no ‘commute’ between work and home- a dedicated transition time between productive time and home time. Or, for those of you not (or no longer) working, there is no definition between time to be doing productive things at home or with family, and time to relax and renew.

When my kids were toddlers, I made a rule with myself titled “the 8 o’clock Rule”. I put my kids to sleep at 7 PM each night. I would give myself the following hour to finish the day’s work: put away the dishes, take out the trash, send that last email. But when 8 PM came, I was off the clock. No more SHOULDS. I was free to relax and do what would make me feel renewed.

I challenge you to designate “off time” for yourself each day. Do something mindless and fun to refresh yourself, like:
Put together a puzzle
Read
Take a bubble bath
Print off a coloring page
Watch TV
Have a meaningful conversation with your partner or family member
Take a walk
Write a letter via snail mail
Sit outside and listen to the sounds of spring