With the China Virus now spreading around the world, most of the world population is now forced to stay indoors because of voluntary and government-enforced quarantines and lockdowns.
(Never thought I’d be typing that line – sounds like something right out of a novel.)
Staying indoors for extended periods of time is much harder than it might sound, and the experience is going to hit a lot of people very hard.
From the vain people whose only hobbies were “going out” to people who lived more balanced lives – this is going to be a period of reevaluation for everyone to some or the other extent – think of it as forced meditation time, if you will.
If you’re having a hard time living in isolation, well – this guide is for you.
1. Start with taking stock of where you are:
- What are your goals?
- Who are your friends?
- What are your hobbies?
- What do your finances look like?
- How is your life? Do you like your life?
- What areas can you improve yourself in?
- What parts of your life are being neglected?
- Am I on the right path – am I going where I want to end up?
These are all critical questions that need to be answered and reviewed from time to time, but few people are intentional or self-aware enough for the task.
Some people feel that they are “too busy” to be bothered with self-introspection – and if you are/were one of those – well, now you have nothing but time.
The distance you get from the upheaval of your everyday life will give you more clarity to answer tough questions about yourself.
2. Make sure you get enough exercise:
If you’re going to be sitting at home alone – you’re going to be a bit bored, and that usually means more lethargy and hunger for the vast majority of people.
It is a self-fulfilling cycle – being indoors all day leads to boredom, boredom leads to hunger and cravings, cravings lead to binge eating, and binge eating leads to lethargy and sleepiness (and skipped workouts) and that in turn leads to more boredom.
Break the cycle by sticking to an exercise routine.
I recommend a simple no-equipment bodyweight workout since you won’t be able to go out to gyms or have access to equipment anymore:
- 100 Squats
- 100 Pushups
- 100 Situps
- A full-body stretch
- Pullups if you have a bar
This will burn some calories, keep your body active, your mind sharp, and prevent you from putting on unnecessary weight (you don’t want to let yourself get fat here – it’s much harder to get healthy than to stay healthy!).
Furthermore, it makes no sense to let your health decline at a time when you might need it the most.
Stay in top shape, and if you’re not – use the time to get in one.
(You’ll find that exercise also makes you feel happier – that would be the endorphins and feel-good chemicals being released by your brain – your overall mood will be better.)
3. Meditate:
I’ve beat this horse to the death by now – the gist is – 20 minutes a day, just sit and meditate.
Meditation has so many benefits that it literally makes no sense not to be meditating.
Twenty minutes, every day. If you don’t know “how” to meditate – just use YouTube to find some guided meditations.
4. Get sunlight / Vitamin D:
It’s hard to get enough sunlight when you’re stuck indoors – so keep your windows open if you can.
If you live in a place that gets no sunlight, I hope you have enough supplements (such as Cod liver oil) around to help with that!
Vitamin D is a critical mood-regulating vitamin – and deficiencies often lead to feelings of depression.
As we might be forced to be indoors for weeks to months, it’s imperative that we get as much vitamin D as we can.
5. Get in touch with your family and friends:
Humans did not evolve to live alone and in isolation.
We are social animals – isolation is a punishment – a form of slow psychological torture.
If you live with your girlfriend or have a wife – spend time with them. If you have children, give them time.
If you live away from your parents (most of the west) – give them a call, they miss you.
Call your old friends that you haven’t spoken to in months or years.
Find out how they’re doing, perhaps plan a meetup once the whole virus situation is solved.
Keep your network alive.
It’s very easy to lose touch with people you care about, so use this downtime to get back in touch with them.
Not only will it make you feel more connected, but they’ll also appreciate you remembering them!
6. Catch up on your reading:
When it comes to self-growth, there is no substitute for reading.
Read blogs, books, articles – it all gives you experience and lessons from other people’s experiences.
In fact, there are no smart and successful people that I know who don’t spend a good portion of their time reading.
Check out my page full of book recommendations! Get either the kindle version or the audiobook. Please do not go out to buy a paperback – you don’t want the China Virus to get to you.
I also recommend subscribing to KI Book Club. It’s a service I’ve been using for the past few months – they send you a 5-page non-fiction book summary once a week, each week. The summaries are very nice and have a decent amount of depth. It’s very cheap at $6/month – practically nothing.
Furthermore, for those of you using Netflix to pass the time – I recommend skipping Netflix and picking up a novel or two instead. They’re a step down from TV and better for your brain.
7. Cut down on watching the news:
I’ve written about this before – you won’t get much from watching the news other than emotional ups and downs, anxiety, and unease.
It literally does you no good to be informed about world events that do not concern you or your family or your business, that you do not have control over, and that you cannot change.
It gives you nothing positive and takes away your sense of calm and happiness.
Just check the day’s news in 5-10 minutes at night and don’t bother staring at the TV all day with their “live updates” – leave that constant craziness to the suckers.
8. Start an internet-based venture:
Instead of staring at the TV or funny YouTube videos, we’re going to use the extra time we have to start an internet-based revenue stream.
Be it that niche site, that YouTube channel, that blog, that Twitter account, that podcast, that software, that product, that book you wanted to write – the things that you always wanted to create but kept putting it off to tomorrow – well, now is the time.
You will never have more time to start and put in the work.
It’s not that hard – use Google to figure out whatever you need.
If you would like to create a Twitter-based business – check out my guide, The Art of Twitter – it’ll give you everything you need regarding starting, growing, and monetizing a Twitter account.
A recent venture of mine is creating fully automated accounts such as the 48 Laws of Power Bot and the Book of Pook Bot – the accounts post content that people like, enjoy, and learn from – and every once in a while, they post promotional tweets that make me some money. A win-win for everybody.
The process of creating these automated accounts, along with free months of subscriptions to tweet scheduling software have been included in the Twitter guide.
Even if you don’t plan on creating pure online income streams – I recommend taking your existing work online – it enables you to collect revenue in stronger currencies and can supplement your income in the future.
9. Improve your skills – take up some online courses:
Sign up to websites like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, Edx – and take up some courses in your field (or other fields!) to improve your knowledge and skills!
Learn whatever you’re interested in – programming, physics, photography, blockchains, Bitcoin, etc.
Internet courses are free/cheap and improve your monetary marketability and enhance your employability.
There’s a recession coming, and many people will see job losses and pay cuts. In such a case, the bigger the edge you have, the better off you will be.
10. Take up new hobbies:
Learn a language, take up writing, learn to draw, sing, play an instrument – if you don’t have any hobbies, take up some.
You’ll make new neural connections and develop new skills in the process.
Essentially – the whole point of this article is – don’t waste the alone time that you have with the lockdowns.
Use the time to improve yourself in every way you can – physically, mentally, and spiritually.
This downtime is an opportunity – an opportunity to bring about change in your life. Use it wisely – and be the best person you can be.
To die without ever knowing your full potential – what you could have been – is shameful. And it is up to you to realize your potential.
You will never have more time on your hands to take the reins.
With love,
Harsh Strongman
P.S. New readers: If you’re interested in a structured 90 Day Self-Improvement program, check out Live Intentionally: Discipline, Mindset, Direction – A 90 Day Self-Project. This program will overhaul your lifestyle and leave you a changed man…forever.
If you’re in a country that isn’t in China Virus lockdowns yet – it’s a matter of time till you get there.
Make sure your house is well supplied with at least three months’ worth of food (everyone panic buys when lockdowns are announced, leading to shortages – better to be prepared beforehand).
Get yourself adequate quantities of rice, beans, pulses, and grains. Stock up on essential supplements such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and whey protein (you can live almost forever on rice and whey protein).
Even if the lockdowns don’t happen, you’ll end up using these stores eventually – so it’s not like you’re losing anything by being well prepared.
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