The coronavirus pandemic has the entire world sitting on the edge. To stop the spread from reaching the community transmission stage, India is currently under a mandatory lockdown.
Dramatic times such as these can trigger heightened emotional outcomes. While the logistics of surviving this lockdown are being widely discussed, absolutely no one seems to be talking about another crucial key to survival: managing relationships with family members while co-existing in close confines.
Set up a schedule
Netflix binge during the night and sleeping in late can seem fun for the first couple of days, but an absolute lack of routine can send your body clock for a toss. Not to mention, your parents will be breathing down your throat about a poor lifestyle.
So, make a schedule for yourself. Working professionals anyway have work-from-home commitment to cater to. Students can use up this time to read, learn and practice. Also, consider getting on with a home work-out routine. It can work wonders to keep your mind calm, and of course, transform your body.
Carve out personal spaces
Families who are used to each member going off to pursue their routine, day after day, can find it overbearing to co-exist. If you find you’re all snapping and squabbling a tad more than necessary, consider it a sign that you’re stepping on each other’s personal space.
Create some alone time when you can retreat to your room, leaving your parents or sibling to do their own thing. This allows everyone to re-connect refreshed.
Rekindle family rituals
Always eating dinner together. Playing board games on Sunday afternoons. Preparing meals together…every family has rituals that were once an integral part of home life before you left the nest. Now that you’re back with no dearth of time at hand, make an effort to rekindle those rituals and revel in sweet hits of nostalgia.
Make room for private affairs
Having endless time to kill is a natural aphrodisiac. You may experience a sudden spate in your libido. It is also important to acknowledge that your parents may have similar needs. Create space that allows each one of you to indulge in a release of sexual energy without making it obvious or awkward for the others.
As a single person, masturbation – and sexting, if you have a partner – is your best bet. Don’t hold yourself back (as it will only lead to unnecessary frustration), but be as discreet as possible.
Revisit old hobbies
Did you read a lot as a kid? Or enjoyed gardening, painting or video games? Now, is the perfect time to revisit these old hobbies and revive them. Including such activities in your daily routine will give you something to look forward to and add some excitement to otherwise drab, mundane days.
Make virtual connections
Your partner, friends, colleagues, mentors/teachers can be a huge stabilising factor in these times of turmoil and uncertainty. Technology is your best friend in keeping these connections alive. Set up video calls, exchange texts with your inner circle of people regularly, to keep your human interactions diverse and interesting.
When the situation gets too overwhelming, remind yourself that this too shall pass. As long as you’re together, make the most of this opportunity to re-connect with your family and strengthen bonds. Someday, you’ll look back at this lockdown and be thankful for how it taught you to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.
To protect the identity, the person in the picture is a model.
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Arushi Chaudhary is a freelance journalist and writer with 5 years of experience in print publications such as the Pune Mirror and Hindustan Times, and has spent close to a decade writing for digital platforms and print publications – The Tribune, BR International magazine, Make My Trip, Killer Features, The Money Times, and Home Review, to name a few. Of the many things she's written about over the years, exploring the space of love and relationships through the prism of psychology excites her the most. Writing is her first and forever love. You can find her on Twitter here.