{"id":44,"date":"2020-04-09T22:14:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T22:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/?p=44"},"modified":"2021-02-09T22:21:19","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T22:21:19","slug":"stayhome-how-to-create-functional-spaces-in-your-home-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak%ef%bb%bf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/2020\/04\/09\/stayhome-how-to-create-functional-spaces-in-your-home-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak%ef%bb%bf\/","title":{"rendered":"#StayHome: How to Create Functional Spaces in Your Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak\ufeff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus\n(COVID-19), many of us are spending a lot more time at home. We\u2019re all being\ncalled upon to avoid public spaces and practice social distancing to help slow\nthe spread of this infectious disease. While it can be understandably\nchallenging, there are ways you can modify your home and your lifestyle to make\nthe best of this difficult situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips for creating comfortable\nand functional spaces within your home for work, school, and fitness. We also\nshare some of our favorite ways to stay connected as a community, because we\u2019re\nall in this together \u2026 and no one should face these trying times alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Begin\nwith the Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A basic home emergency preparedness kit is a\ngreat addition to any home, even under normal circumstances. It should include\nitems like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, first aid kit, and other\nessentials you would need should you temporarily lose access to food, water, or\nelectricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, authorities don\u2019t anticipate any\nserious interruptions to utilities or the food supply during this outbreak.\nHowever, it may be a good time to start gathering your emergency basics in a\ndesignated location, so you\u2019ll be prepared now-\u2014and in the future\u2014should your\nfamily ever need them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Ready to start building an emergency kit for\n your home? Contact us for a free copy\n of our Home Emergency Preparation Checklist!<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Working\nFrom Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many employees are being asked to work\nremotely. If you\u2019re transitioning to a home office for the first time, it\u2019s\nimportant to create a designated space for work \u2026 so it doesn\u2019t creep into your\nhome life, and vice versa. If you live in a small condominium or apartment,\nthis may feel impossible. But try to find a quiet corner where you can set up a\ndesk and comfortable chair. The simple act of separating your home and work\nspaces can help you focus during work hours and \u201cturn off\u201d at the end of the\nday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, if you have children who are home\nwith you all day (given many schools and daycares are now closed), separating\nyour home and work life will be more difficult. Unless you have a partner who\ncan serve as the primary caregiver, you will need to help manage the needs of\nyour children while juggling work and virtual meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If both parents are working from home, try\nalternating shifts, so you each have a designated time to work and to parent.\nIf that\u2019s not an option, experts recommend creating a schedule for your\nchildren, so they know when you\u2019re available to play, and when you need to\nwork.1<\/sup> A red stop sign on the door can help remind them when you\nshouldn\u2019t be disturbed. And for young children, blocking off a specific time\neach day for them to nap or have independent screen time can give you a window\nto schedule conference calls or work uninterrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeschooling\nYour Children<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many parents with school-aged children will be\ntaking on a new challenge: homeschooling. Similar to a home office, designating\na space for learning activities can help your child transition between play and\nschool. If you\u2019re working from home, the homeschooling area would ideally be\nlocated near your workspace, so you can offer assistance and answer questions,\nas needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If possible, dedicate a desk or table where\nyour child\u2019s work can be spread out\u2014and left out when they break for meals and\nsnacks. Position supplies and materials nearby so they are independently\naccessible, and place a trash can and recycling bin within reach for easy\ncleanup. A washable, plastic tablecloth can help transition an academic space\ninto an arts and crafts area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/sup>If the weather is nice, try studying outside! A porch swing is a\nperfect spot for reading, and gardening in the backyard is a great addition to\nany science curriculum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to creating an academic learning\nenvironment, find age-appropriate opportunities for your children to help with\nhousehold chores and meal preparation. Homeschooling advocates emphasize the\nimportance of developing life skills alongside academic ones.2<\/sup> And\nwith more meals and activities taking place at home, there will be ample\nopportunity for every family member to pitch in and help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying\nFit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With gyms closed and team sports canceled, it\ncan be tempting to sit on the sofa and binge Netflix. However, maintaining the\nphysical health and mental wellness of you and your family is crucial right\nnow. Implementing a regular exercise routine at home can help with both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a community where you can\nsafely exercise outdoors while maintaining the recommended distance between you\nand other residents, try to get out as much as possible. If the weather is\nnice, go for family walks, jogs, or bike rides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can\u2019t get outside? Fortunately, you don\u2019t need\na home gym or fancy exercise equipment to stay fit. Look for a suitable space\nin your home, garage, or basement where you can comfortably move\u2014you\u2019ll\nprobably need at least a 6\u2019 x 6\u2019 area for each person. Many cardio and strength\ntraining exercises require little (or no) equipment, including jumping jacks,\nlunges, and pushups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you prefer a guided workout, search for\nfree exercise videos on YouTube\u2014there are even options specifically geared\ntowards kids\u2014or try one of the many fitness apps available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socializing\nFrom a Distance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though we\u2019re all being called upon to\npractice \u201csocial distancing\u201d right now, there are still ways to stay safely\nconnected to our communities and our extended families. Picking up the phone is\na great place to start. Make an effort to reach out to neighbors and loved ones\nwho live alone and may be feeling particularly isolated right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while parties and playdates may be\nprohibited, modern technology offers countless ways to organize networked\ngatherings with family and friends. Try using group video conferencing tools\nlike Google Hangouts<\/a> and Zoom<\/a> to facilitate a virtual happy hour or\nbook club. Host a Netflix Party<\/a> to watch (and chat about) movies\nwith friends. Or plan a virtual game night and challenge your pals to a round\nof Psych<\/a> or Yahtzee<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are safe ways to connect offline, too.\nRediscover the lost art of letter writing. Drop off groceries on an elderly\nneighbor\u2019s porch. Or organize a neighborhood \u201cchalk walk,\u201d where children use\nsidewalk chalk to decorate their driveways and then head out for a stroll to\nview their friends\u2019 artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there\u2019s one group of people who you\ncan still socialize with freely\u2014those who reside in your home. Family dinners\nare back, siblings are reconnecting, and many of us have been given the gift of\ntime, with commutes, activities, and obligations eliminated. In fact, some\nfamilies are finding that this crisis has brought them closer than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOU ARE\nNOT ALONE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with all of the tools and technology\navailable to keep us connected, many of us are still feeling stressed, scared,\nand isolated. However, you can rest assured that you are not alone. We\u2019re not\nonly here to help you buy and sell real estate. We want to be a resource to our\nclients and community through good times and bad. If you and your family are in\nneed of assistance, please reach out and let us know how we can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. CNBC –
    \n    https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/03\/16\/how-to-work-from-home-with-your-kids-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html<\/a><\/li>
  2. TheHomeSchoolMom.com –
    \n    https:\/\/www.thehomeschoolmom.com\/benefits-of-homeschooling-2\/<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many of us are spending a lot more time at home. We\u2019re all being called upon to avoid public spaces and practice social distancing to help slow the spread of this infectious disease. While it can be understandably challenging, there are ways you can modify your home […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions\/46"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tomweeks.net\/wordpress1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}