Why do we need to know some ways to prepare for the second wave of COVID-19? The CDC and other credible sources are already trying to prepare and warn about the second wave of COVID-19 that will happen possibly this winter. Once our social distancing is relaxed and people start to get back to what is normal, they anticipate COVID-19 to return. The hardest part of this is that the Flu season is also during the winter. Here are my top 5 ways to prepare for the second wave of COVID-19.
Over the past 2 months, we all have become familiar with how it feels to be in your home more than you anticipated and how much resources it takes to be at home each and every day, all day long. I want to share with you some survival tips I have learned to help make it better. With the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 coming in the winter, I don’t want it to be a financial strain, a mental strain, or resource strain on our household or yours.
Top 5 Ways to Prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19
1: Keep your pantry and household items stocked up for a 3 month supply
I am by far not what you would call a “prepper”, but through the time of being homebound for almost 2 months, I have learned there are just some essential items that are harder to find.
I have created a Pantry & Household printable of items to keep on hand for extended isolation in the home. The good news is these are items that you normally have on hand. That is the idea of stocking up. You need to keep a stock of items that you like & that you will eat that has a longer shelf life.
2: Menu Plan & Freeze Meal Prep
When you are cooking 2-3 meals a day for your family for several days straight, you tend to run out ideas to cook. You start to dread cooking. Plan ahead. Use your pantry list and your freezer items to develop a menu that would be great for your family while you are in your home for several days. Here is a simple Menu Planner Printable for you to use.
One way to help with cooking is to meal prep by freezer cooking. Freezer cooking is a great way to have meals already put together and simple to cook. My friend Janell at Saving you Dinero has an awesome post of 40 Crock Pot Freezer Meals. Simple meals that your family will love.
3: Create An Activity Bin for Isolation
Create an activity bin for times of long isolation in your home. These would be games that you don’t play on a normal basis, crafts that you do regularly, or puzzles that you have not done before.
Puzzle recommendations
We have enjoyed putting together the Thomas Kincade Disney Puzzles together. They are beautiful.
Melissa & Doug has some great puzzles as well. These seem to be more educational too!
Landscape puzzles are great during a time of isolation. It lets you dream about being somewhere wonderful.
Games
Taco vs Burrito is a crazy fun card game. Especially if you have extroverts in the family.
Kahuna is a new board game for us during the COVID-19. It is a 2 person game that is fun & strategic.
Bananagrams is a fun game for the family and it also helps with spelling. Easy to pack up and doesn’t take up a lot of shelf space.
Crafts
Rock Painting. This is actually a fun craft to do. Have you kids paint rocks and go hide them in a friend’s yard. Let the friend find them for a fun treat and gift.
Fun bracelets for Boys and Girls This can be a fun project for all ages.
Learn to embroidery. Jordan over at Thistle and Thread Design has some great kits. You get everything you need including some really cool scissors. She also offers online classes and tutorials.
4: Create a Schedule & To-Do List
Keep a schedule & to-do list while being isolated. This will keep you grounded and focused. The schedule will look a little different during this time. You don’t have to be a drillmaster but schedule your days and make a to-do list for that day.
This is probably my biggest suggestion when being isolated for a period of time. When we stay on a schedule and have a goal of completing tasks, this will keep our minds focused, our bodies moving and mentally healthy.
If we choose to sit and veg on the couch each day, we will tend to get lazy and also fall into a depression. We need to stay focused when we think life stinks. The reality is, if you use your time wisely and invest in your home, you will look back at this and think of it as some special times with your family.
5: Invest in yourself
Invest in yourself during this time. Do some self-evaluation on where you would like to be in 6 months, 1 year, and even 5 years. Make some goals for your life.
You can even invest in yourself through self-care. If you are not one to get up and get ready for the day, start doing that. Take time to learn a new way to put on makeup or do your hair. Even take time to paint your nails.
Read or listen to a podcast that interests you. Try to stay away from things that would bring negative into your life. Choose some uplifting, encouraging material to listen to or read.
Exercise. You might not have the equipment that is available at the gym, but you can exercise with YouTube videos, or Fitbit premium app, or just the good ole fashion sit-ups or jumping jacks. Whatever and however you choose, get moving. That is all that matters. Your outlook on life during isolation will be positive.
Hopefully, these 5 ideas are ideas that will help make the second wave of COVID-19 a little easier to handle. My prayer is that the experts are wrong and the virus will not return, but we can be prepared for it even if it doesn’t happen.
None of these suggestions are action points that would be just for isolation. They are action points that can be used anytime. So you are not wasting your time or money to be prepared.
Thanks for reading 5 ways to prepare for the second wave of COVID-19
