7 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help During The COVID-19 Lockdowns

Aside from social distancing, strategically planning grocery runs, thorough and regular handwashing with soap, ordering food mindfully, refraining from hoarding, staying indoors and following all quarantine protocol in your area, here are 7 ways to help out and keep the good-fight going via distance.

1) Reach out to Front-line Health workers

Reach out personally to any of your contacts who are working the front lines during this time and send them your thanks for everything they’re doing. Offer to help via distance in any way you can.

Ask if they need supplies or anything else to make life a little easier for them.

If they need something, do a little search for no-contact delivery companies and then gift them some supplies.

Are you handy with a sewing machine? Whip up a few masks using the instructions on this handy website by Deaconess and set yourself up to be matched up with those who need them.

2) Reach out to Friends

Everyone is going through a difficult time right now and connecting with each other via distance can really help us manage.

Mentally go through your friend list and email, text, or call friends who live alone and check in with them.

If they need something, see if you can get it delivered via no-contact deliveries.

Arrange a Skype or Zoom call if they need some company.

3) Enjoy Family time

If you live with family, catch up on anything you were planning to do together at home and haven’t had a chance to do.

Here’s a kid-friendly list of free activities from Clever Mom to do from home and here’s another from Joy and Rick Rosson.

Here are some great (free) home-exercise videos from Dr Jade Teta.

Make up a playlist with dance tunes and have a dance party in the living room with your family to lift your spirits. This is a great treat for yourself if you live alone. It might feel irresponsible to be having fun when we’re living in such challenging and stressful times but doing what you can to elevate your spirits is necessary.

Practice deep breathing with your family to strengthen your lungs.

4) Practice “Wide Walking”

If you live in an area where you are permitted to go for a short walk, be especially mindful of combining walking with social distancing.

(Note: Please check your area’s health directives daily, as even walks may be off-limits in certain places or lock down may happen anytime).

If you are walking outside, maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and other walkers.

If you see someone approaching you, move aside to the edge of the walking path or pavement.

If you’re walking a dog, be mindful of other walkers too and keep your dog to the side of the path.

5) Gifting

If you use the services of a small business regularly and they’ve been affected by the quarantine, check in with them to see how they’re doing during this difficult time.

Consider sending them a cash-gift to tide them over.

6) Start a Co-Love movement in your community

Create a local FB group for social distancing support.

Invite people from your community into the group.

Ask for volunteers to be a contact person for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.

Message your condo or apartment building management to set up a no-contact drop off and pick up point or pick a safe space (see sample wording below.)

Search for grocery and pharmacy no-contact deliveries in the area or do a “safe pickup” abiding by quarantine guidelines.

Start spreading the word!

7) Co-love movement: Email your Building management

Below is a sample you can use.

“Would you consider starting a support plan for elderly tenants who need assistance or supplies during this time?

I’d be happy to post requests for supplies or assistance into a Facebook group that I’m part of and someone will be able to deliver what is needed.

Maybe the office could post notes in all the lobbies?

They could send me a list of the supplies needed and I could post them into the FB group for help.

Or if you have other thoughts or suggestions, perhaps we can figure them out together.

Kind regards… (your name)”

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At this time, it’s even more important that we find safe ways to help each other, look after ourselves and keep our spirits up.

Stay on top of developments but when you feel yourself beginning to panic, do what you can to feel better.

· Breathe

· Read a good book

· Practice music

· Get creative! Have you ever thought about writing a book? Grab 30 minutes a day and start writing!

· Make some art

· Reach out to a family member or friend

· Watch a movie, better yet, a good comedy

· Cook together

· Start up a home-hobby you’ve always wanted to (look for YouTube videos)

· If you have pets, give them loads of extra attention

· Declutter

· Take an online course (like one of Yale’s most popular online courses: The Science of Wellbeing — now offered free)

Stay strong, stay hopeful and stay kind to yourself!

Keep the good fight going, my friend, and we will all get through this together!