COVID-19, or the coronavirus, is a highly contagious virus that took the world by storm. The virus has infected millions of people and has caused absolute chaos in countries around the globe. America, who now leads in the total number of deaths caused by the coronavirus, has completely shut down. Public buildings such as gyms, restaurants, offices, malls, and movie theaters are all closed.

Americans are being advised to practice social distancing. Visiting friends and family can be dangerous, and everyone is being told to simply stay home and self quarantine until the virus passes, which could be months from now.

The people of America are facing hard times. Staying isolated from friends and family can seem like a nightmare. However, it can be an opportunity. Americans now have much more extra time, and should try their best to emerge from quarantine a better person than they were before. Here are some productive things to do while in quarantine.

Exercise

The main argument that people have for not exercising is that they don’t have the time. However, now is a great opportunity to implement exercise into your daily routine. Most gyms are closed, however there are millions of free home workouts that anyone can access online on sites like YouTube. The website CNET has a list of the best home workout options that anyone can use, including yoga classes, body weight workouts and more.  Exercising has countless benefits and is something that everyone should be doing during quarantine.

Call friends and family

It is very easy to feel lonely during this time. Hanging out with friends or going to see family members is now considered a hazard. However, there are still ways to communicate with the people you care for. Make sure to call friends and family everyday and tell them that you care for them. Maybe even make plans for a big celebration when everything is over!

Read

Reading books is a great way to relax, relieve stress, and learn new things. Reading everyday is extremely beneficial. It can improve focus and concentration, analytical skills, and much more. Picking up some books that you never had time to read before is a great way to pass the time during quarantine. Here is Vanity Fair’s picks for the best books to read during quarantine.

Pursue a hobby

Most people prioritize their everyday life above their hobbies. However, quarantine is a fantastic opportunity to do the things you love. Whether it’s painting a picture, playing an instrument or writing a story, use the extra time you have to do what you enjoy doing.

Learn new things

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter make it possible to learn new things with only online resources. While in quarantine everybody should use these resources. Learn something that you didn’t know before. It could be something small, like how to change a tire or how to draw a flower, or you could could be something bigger, like a new language. No matter what it is, by learning something new you can come out of quarantine just a bit more knowledgeable than you were before.

There is no doubt that we are living in very sad times. Death and disease is spreading across our country. However I encourage everyone to look on the bright side, and to use the time that they have for good. I hope that the world can defeat the coronavirus together. Stay safe and stay strong!