“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” – William Shakespeare

Listen, y’all. Good news! I’m not going to write about ‘It’ because ‘It’ is being covered ad nauseum. So read about ‘It’ on the internet or social media. This is about how we can remain sane, healthy, and even have fun with the kids at home.

“The more lonely and depressed you feel, the more the need for company. The more joyful and exuberant you become, the less you will need company. So if you feel lonely when you are alone, that means you are obviously in bad company!” – Sadhguru

Am I the only one inundated with calls, messages and mails from family, friends, acquaintances, and other sundry humans I haven’t reached out to in years? I felt overwhelmed at first. Later, I felt grateful for this onslaught. We are instinctively reaching out more than we ever did, seeking reassurance and support from others.

A Time to Listen. Instead of falling back on your standard excuse of how ‘busy’ you are, take those calls. Be available to listen to others. Respond to all mails and messages too. Be brief and warm.

Puzzle it Out. Get a jigsaw puzzle —a difficult one, if you are an adult —and work on it when you are bored. If you don’t have the space to set up a puzzle, get a Rubik’s Cube, Lego, Scrabble, chess… They get you off the internet and live updates for a bit. And keep the kids busy.

Take a Walk. Take a walk indoors or in your garden. If you venture out, maintain your distance from other humans. Get some fresh air every day. Experience the great outdoors during weekends. If you can take a break during the week, head to a park. You’ll have fun and see more wildlife since many humans are in hiding.

Reach Out. Check in on vulnerable neighbors, friends and relatives. A daily call or text message will make a world of difference to those in need.

Cook. I know, I know. You are used to eating out and takeout. Or you don’t care to cook. Listen up: Cooking can be fun, relaxing and creative. Really. Start with something simple. Try making rice using a rice cooker or mix a simple salad dressing. Work your way up from there. The internet has countless cooking tips and recipes.

If I’m in the country, my big idea is to do nothing. It means talking, it means cooking with the leftovers in the fridge – l’art d’accommoder les restes – it means gardening. – Christian Louboutin

Give. Consider donating to organizations that are fighting for a healthy world. Think of all the health workers and doctors who are risking their lives for our well-being. It helps to think beyond ourselves during this time.

Live simply, give much. Fill your life with love. Do as you would be done by. – Buddha

Move! So your gym is closed but that is no excuse for marinating on your sofa. Check out YouTube fitness routines and find one you like. Then move your body. Every day. A regular fitness routine will help reduce your anxiety too. If you must, reserve a ‘pity-party slot’ on your daily calendar to rue the state of the world and how it is all going to end soon. I don’t recommend this, though, because we do enough of it anyway.

Have fun with your pets, doodle, sort out your wardrobe (do you really need that much?), garden, start a virtual book club and Happy Hour, balance your check book, clean your garage, just let yourself be, finger paint, introspect, put your accounts in order, sing (loudly), puzzle over all the parts inside your car hood, dance, start writing that book you always wanted to (don’t we all?), talk to loved ones, try giving yourself a haircut, do a home improvement project, learn something new… Be Grateful. Be Healthy. Be Safe.

“I suggest that we reimagine #FOMO as #NOMO, the necessity of missing out.” – Jenny Odell