We are on the third-fourth(ish) week of Coronavirus pandemic social distancing in the US, and so far, as a family, we've spent a lot of our free time out in nature during this shutdown by playing tennis, walking on trails, and hiking in the mountains. Sadly, as the virus has continued to spread, state and local officials in our area have made the tough decision to close parks and trails by building temporary fences around the trails and locking access points/entries.

So, ever on the quest to make the most of any situation, I've decide to supplement our "new normal" living room workouts  and sidewalk walks around our building by plowing through my to-read list.

​Did you know that reading a book for just SIX MINUTES per day can reduce stress levels by 68%?* So crazy! Reading a book has greater soothing benefits than going for a walk or having a tea even. In stressful times like these, we should all be reading SOMETHING.

Currently, I'm on a nonfiction kick. I'm taking this time of being at home to reflect, regroup, and better myself as much as I can. And reading is a big step in the direction of personal growth.

Even so, no one likes the feeling of starting a book and feeling like it's a chore to read, and nonfiction can often be particularly difficult to get into if it isn't interesting enough. To save you the trouble of testing out books that you just might not love, I'm sharing with you here some of my favorite nonfiction books that you can read while social distancing!

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1. Talk Like Ted by Carmine Gallo
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This is a great book. Gallo is a natural storyteller, and he has plenty of stories to tell. While the subtitle implies that the target audience is those who are "public speakers," I honestly think this book can inspire and help ANYONE. Whether you are giving presentations in the conference room, teaching a group of kids, volunteering, leading, or even just want to be a better conversationalist, this book is a win. Everyone should read it! 
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​2. Wired to Create by Scott Barry Kaufman

I love this book. I've read it twice over the past few years because it is just so rich in stories, psychology, science, and truth. If you consider yourself an artist or creative type, or even if you've ever just wondered why your mind works the way it does, this is a book for you. 
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​3. Scary Close by Donald Miller

I read this book a few years ago, but it has stuck with me ever since. It's one of those books that just shakes you to the core. It's part memoir, part self-improvement, but it wholly invites readers to let go of facades and watch what happens when we live with authenticity, true to ourselves. 
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​4. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
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I can't think of a more timely book than this. Slowing down, letting go of the pressure to go-do-be more, and being present in the moment, enjoying life. Plus, it's a magnetic read! I think I read it in like, two days (and I'm a SLOW reader). 
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​5. Addicted to Busy by Brady Boyd

This book is perfect for anyone who is struggling with the isolation and solitude that comes with quarantine and social distancing. It encourages us to EMBRACE being still, quiet, and alone. 

​What are you currently reading? What should I read next? Let me know by leaving a comment below! ​

*https://articles.aplus.com/a/reading-6-minutes-each-day-reduce-stress-68-percent?no_monetization=true 

​Woah. Life in America looks a little bit different this week than anything I can recall. Store shelves empty. Museums, parks, restaurants all closed. Weddings are canceled, sports are called off, and events we've had tickets for for months are no longer going on. We've all been told that the best way to combat coronavirus in America is to just stay home.

If you're in any way a busy body like me, that's harder than it sounds. But if staying home for the next few weeks or a month even is the sacrifice we all have to make to take care of our country and society as a whole, then we should do it. 

After all, despite the obvious issues and negative effects coronavirus is having on our world at large, I'm the type of person who is always searching for the silver lining. Honestly, there are some GOOD things about staying home.

Below are some of the ways I'm keeping from going crazy during this coronavirus pandemic.
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1. Take care of all the tasks you've been putting off.

I know. That doesn't sound fun at all. But honestly, there's no better time to take care of all the boring stuff you've been putting off. Just get it done!

For example, this week we filed our taxes. Next on my list is to purge all the closets, get rid of what we no longer have room for or want, and donate stuff! (To my surprise, Goodwill is still accepting donations as of this week.)

Accomplish some of the tasks you've been avoiding, and then when the social distancing requirements lift and the weather gets warmer, you'll be glad it's all done! Who knows - I might even get around to finishing the application for the doctorate degree program I've had my eye on!

2. Read more!

This one is obvious, right? But my favorite part about this is that the library and bookstores are closed, so I'm forcing myself to finally finish reading the 30+ unfinished books that have been lingering on my shelf for way too long.

3. Spend time on the hobbies you usually don't have enough time for!

You know that thing you LOVE, but never get around to doing because life is just so busy and so rushed? When else in your life are you going to have the freedom and time to spend uninterrupted hours doing whatever it is you love? 

For me, that's blogging, painting, writing, and sometimes it's just taking bubble baths or watching bad reality TV shows.

4. Do some yoga or exercise at home.

Earlier this week, my gym sent out a memo that it is CLOSED! It's essential to my mental health that I exercise regularly, so I was happy to see that several yoga studios are streaming their classes for free online right now (a lot of them accept donations/venmos)! Plus, YouTube has a plethora of fitness videos that you can do right from home. 

5. Brush up on a second or third language!

Apps like DuoLingo make it super easy to take up a new language. I've been practicing my Spanish on the app so that when I'm with Juan's family, I can join in on the conversation more!

6. You can still go outside.

We've been making sure to get out every day. As long as you're able to avoid groups and stay at least six feet away from others, going outside is not frowned upon. 

I've been going for runs, or we will go together on family walks, and we've even been to the outdoor tennis courts, as long as they aren't crowded. We bring out own equipment and sanitizer hand wipes. So far so good!
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I know staying home isn't all fun and games though. My husband and I are BOTH working from home, with two kids, in a 750-ish square foot apartment. Clothes still have to be washed and folded, meals have to be prepared, dishes must be done, and work doesn't just stop.

Check out the ways we're trying to occupy our kids, 1 year old and 5 years old, from home!

1. Let kids "help" with chores.

One of my kids' favorite things to do is to match the socks while I fold laundry. My older son has a lot of fun "helping" do simple tasks in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner or lunch. Give them a cloth to help you wipe down tables or surfaces. They get to feel like they're contributing to the family, they think it's fun, and sometimes, it can actually help you get some stuff done!

2. Make bath time more fun.

Lately, I've been dumping a bunch of MegaBlox or Duplos in the tub with the boys. Actually, any hard, plastic toys (or even little cars) can go for a dip with the kids to make bath time more fun. Bonus - the toys get cleaned in the process! Just make sure to set toys out on the deck or out on a towel when you're done to fully dry off.

3. Do basically everything you did in the 80s or 90s for fun.

Before we were electronically-absorbed as a culture, we found ways at home to have fun. Bring that back with your kids. Play hide and seek. Have a dance party. Read ALL the books. Build a fort! 

4. Rotate the toys.

I've found that if all the toys are out and accessible all the time, my kids get overwhelmed and don't know what to play with at all. I think it helps to kind of rotate the toys in and out.

So for an hour or so, I'll get out the Play Doh. Then we'll put that up and get out the dinosaurs. Then we will put those up and get out the cars or nerf guns. And so on and so on! 

5. Arts and Crafts

I know there are a million moms out there who are all about creating some Pinerest worthy crafterpiecies with their little ones. Unfortunately, I am not one of those moms. If you are, more power to ya!!!

Nevertheless, for the rest of us, don't underestimate the power of a good kit of crayons/markers and a sketchbook! This can keep my older son entertained for literally like an hour at a time. For my littlest one, I love the "No Mess - Melissa and Doug" coloring books!

6. Board Games and Puzzles

Board games are straight up old-school, hearty family fun. Some of Isaiah's favorites are Candyland, Guess Who?, and Connect Four. We will often give our youngest a game-piece (as long as it's big enough to not be a choking hazard!) to let him "play along" with us.

And puzzles are AWESOME! When else do you have time to linger around a puzzle? It's so relaxing, and supposedly solving puzzles keeps the mind sharp.

I know this is crazy and sad and weird and hard, but try to keep a positive attitude and make the most of this time we've been given to stay at home.

Thank you to those of you who still go to work each and every day to ensure our society carries on. Our healthcare workers, grocery store workers, truck drivers, policemen, power and gas company workers, and so on - THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Also, if you have lost someone you love or experienced any financial or emotional hardships due to Coronavirus, please send me a message or leave a comment below. I'd love to pray for you and encourage you. We've got this, y'all!