Social Distancing: How Seniors Can Be Productive at Home

Retirement can be isolating, and even more so when we are being told to practice social distancing. How can you stay productive at home?

Retirement can be isolating, and even more so when we are being told to practice social distancing. Any senior-focused article will tell you that in order to stay healthy and happy in your golden years, you should stay social and visit friends and family. However, with the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s essential that seniors stay home to maintain their health. How can seniors stay productive at home?

Staying busy throughout this new normal

It’s important to stay busy during this time in order to not feel isolated. If you’re feeling stuck at home, now is a great time to check off all of those items on your to-do list. Warmer weather is arriving in many states, so plan out your garden and see what you can grow for summer! Many stores will deliver flowers, seeds, and soils straight to your door so that you don’t have to leave. Sustainable living will be important throughout social distancing.

You can also use this time to reorganize your spice cabinet or pantry, digitize old photos, or do a deep clean of your house. Basically, anything that you’ve been putting off for a rainy day is here. Your sense of accomplishment after being productive will help get you through this difficult time.

Finally, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and continue to exercise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A healthy diet boosts your immune system and helps your mental health. Use this time to learn healthy recipes and try different at-home workouts. You can use Pinterest as a recipe resource and YouTube has hundreds of senior-focused workouts that you can do in your living room.

Using technology to stay connected

Technology like FaceTime or Skype is essential to staying happy and healthy. Get your friends together on the same call for a coffee or cocktail virtual meetup! If you’re missing your family, then you can video chat them and read books or watch tv together, make a meal, or just catch up. Social distancing is isolating, but technology can make it so much better.

Lay off the news for a while

There’s a fine line between staying up-to-date on the latest news and becoming obsessed with every detail. Reading every news story that comes out is most likely having a negative impact on your mental health. Because of the loneliness that social distancing can bring, it’s important to keep your mental health in tiptop shape. This might mean taking a break from COVID-19-related subjects. Instead of subjecting yourself to “analysis paralysis,” read a book you’ve been meaning to. Many libraries offer e-borrowing, so if you have a library card, check with your local library and see what books you can borrow and read on your tablet, Kindle, or other reading device.

What does life look like after COVID-19?

Life will eventually get back to normal, but no one knows when. Everyone needs to practice social distancing so that we can flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. Following the guidelines set by the CDC and the US government will help to ensure that social distancing and quarantining will end. If you’re feeling uneasy about your finances, speak with a financial advisor who can help you.

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