Many businesses had to send their workers home to work remotely because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts expect this business set-up to continue not only this year but even in years to come. People who work from home do not have to commute to and from the office and thus find themselves with a lot of free time on their hands. The problem is that they must stay home, too, for much of that free time.
There are vaccines now available, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to get a shot against Covid-19 when possible. With the emergence of new Covid-19 variants, though, it also warns states to retain pandemic restrictions.
Even those who already have full vaccination must continue to observe pandemic protocols when in public, such as wearing a mask, staying six feet away from others, and avoiding places with poor ventilation. They must keep away from medium-size or large gatherings and will, therefore, still be staying home most of the time.
If you are one of those who are now working from home, you can feel the strain of cabin fever. This is the informal term for the stress that comes from staying inside for long periods. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical problems if not addressed immediately. It can even destabilize your body’s immune system and weaken your defenses against the coronavirus.
Lots of Things to Do
You can avoid boredom, stress, and its detrimental effects, by keeping yourself busy and being productive in your free time at home. One of the best ways to be productive while staying home is to focus on repair, maintenance, and improvement projects.
Inspect your home inside and outside to find the things that need fixing. If you did not notice these before or did not have time to attend to them, you now have the chance to do the repairs. There will be projects that you can do by yourself, depending on your skills. It is easy to work on problematic doors, cabinets, and drawers, or to replace leaky faucets.
If you are tired of the look of your indoor space, rearrange your furniture and décor. You can choose to repaint your walls with a different color or change your wallpaper. Change your curtains, throw pillows, floor rugs, and tablecloths, as well, for everything to be complementary. Purchase and hang new wall art.
Outside, you must regularly water and mow your lawn and tend to your plants. You can grow a flower garden or a vegetable patch, or both. You can put up a nice trellis.
You must not, however, attempt to do major repairs or renovation work by yourself if you are not an expert in that field. It is best to hire professionals to do these to avoid doing damage to your home or yourself. For instance, if you need to do major renovations inside or outside your home, such as redoing your entire bathroom or kitchen or building a porch or a patio, you must hire contractors to do the job.
Another major maintenance work you must check and immediately attend to is your roof and gutter. The state of your gutter directly affects the state of your roof because problems in the gutter increase the possibility of your roof developing leaks resulting in water damage. Check if your gutter is sagging or if it has peeling paint and rust. You must immediately hire a professional such as Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters to replace it. If your old gutters are not seamless, this is an opportunity to use seamless ones that are less likely to clog and are easier to clean and maintain. Make sure that your new gutters complement the overall look of your home.
Seize the Time and Opportunity
You can look at your extended time at home as a problem or an opportunity that you can take advantage of. You have the power to change your perspective and mindset.
With so much free time on your hands, there is a lot you can now accomplish around your house that you did not have time to do before. This is a chance to address repairs, be up to date in maintenance, and do renovations that will improve the quality of your daily life.
Making improvements to your home will not only make it more comfortable for you to live in, but it will also increase its market value. While you are taking steps to enhance your well-being, you are also making a concrete financial investment in your future. That is certainly making good use of your time.
