Whether you’re home from university, adjusting to working from home, or trying to manage home schooling for the first time, we are all enduring our own challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Remember, you are not alone in this. You may feel unorganized and flustered now, but building a fun, interesting and easy-to-follow routine can add the structure and purpose you feel you’re missing from your days confined. No matter how you plan on spending quarantine, it’s important to build some sort of regime so you don’t get frustrated and fall into a slump, which can take a toll on your mental health. Below you can find example regimes for students, parents and employees.

For the Student
You’re allowed to feel stressed and disappointed. COVID-19 was sprung upon us during an important time – you may have been preparing for exams, heading to your spring break destination or collecting your robes to graduate. Whichever of these you can relate to; it is unfair that those experiences are being taken away from you. This is a very serious issue and your sacrifice is not being ignored. Being back at home so suddenly and forced into quarantine can only add to the frustration, but don’t let it consume you. Here is an example regime you can follow to cope:

7am – Wake up
– Drink water
– Stretch
– Eat breakfast
– Get ready

8:30am – 11:30am 
– Attend online lectures
– Do work/study
– Read for school

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch

1:00pm – 2:00pm
– Go for a walk
– Exercise
– Stretch

3:00pm – 4:00pm

– Practice a hobby
– Learn something new
– Garden
– Bake with your family

4:00pm – 6:00pm
Be lazy!
– Watch Netflix
– Go on social media
– Play games

6:00pm – 7:30pm
Dinner!
– Table talk! Chat with your family

9:00 – 10;00
– Relax
– Take a hot bath
– Listen to music
– Journal
– Sleep

For the Worker
This may feel almost like a dream come true in a way – being able to work at home from the comfort of your bed. Finally, you’ve been given the freedom to show your employer that you can be a productive at home in your PJ’s! However, it’s a good idea to get into a realistic routine to help you accomplish tasks so you don’t feel as though you’re wasting your days away. Here’s an example of how you could carve out your quarantine days.

7am – Wake up
– Drink water
– Skin care
– Stretch
– Avoid your phone

8:00am – 9:00am
– Get ready
– Eat breakfast
– Set up your work station

9:00am – 11:30am
– Work
– Answer emails
– Read up on assignments
– Conference calls

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch

1:00pm – 4:00pm
More work! Finish any tasks for the day

5:00pm – 7:00pm
– Get some exercise
– Go for a walk
– Do some yoga
– Weight train

7:00pm – 8:00pm
Dinner

8:00pm – 10:00pm
– Relax
– Watch a TV show
– FaceTime/call friends
– Read a book
– Sleep 

For the Parent
Now having to manage not only looking after your kids 24/7 but also making sure you’re allotting enough time to tutoring them, can feel overwhelming. This experience may be hard to explain to your little ones, not to mention difficult on your mental health. Having a healthy routine that you and your kids can stick to will take a lot of stress off of you while also introducing independence and responsibility for your child. This may not work for all children, but this suggested regime could help inspire you to craft something doable.

7am – Wakeup
– Get ready
– Get the kids ready
– Make and eat breakfast

8:00am – 10:00am
– Assign independent school work
– Assign reading and questions
– Introduce an interactive activity
– Use this time to work on your own assignments if you have them

10:00am – 11:00am
Snack time – take a break or use this time to work

11:00am – 1:00pm
– Assign a different subject/activity
– Follow teacher guidelines

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Lunchtime! Make sure to eat too.

2:00pm – 3:00pm
– Educational cartoon/film
– Arts and crafts
– Drawing
– Finish anything that you may have to do for the day

3:00pm – 5:00pm
– Outside play and exercise!
– Get your exercise
– Go for a walk
– Do something that everyone can do together

5:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner time!
– Ask them to help prepare food
– Ask them to set the table
– Talk about your favourite parts of the day

7:00pm – 8:00pm
– Relax
– Do something for yourself
– Let the kids watch TV

8:00pm
Bedtime (for them)

8:30pm – 10:00pm
– Self care
– Meditate
– Practice yoga
– Relax
– Get a good night sleep

We truly hope that these example schedules help you through this difficult transition period. This is a tough time for everyone, but health professionals all over the world have urged us to do the right thing and stay home – for our health, the health of our family and the health of the community. We are all in this together – if you are struggling, please reach out to someone and talk. We could all use a friend right now. Remember, you got this!