10 quarantine habits to keep after shutdown ends

We breathe a tentative sigh of relief as much of Western Pennsylvania approaches the yellow phase in the gradual easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, beginning Friday.

There are a few things we won’t miss when we emerge from the covid-19 quarantine — things like social distancing that keep us apart from our family and friends.

Who isn’t longing for a few good hugs right now?

But there’s no denying quarantine has forced us to reassess our habits and lifestyles. Maybe we’ve made a few new habits that we should keep for the long term.

Here are 10 lifestyle changes that might be worth maintaining when the world opens up again.

• Long walks — With gyms and and other exercise facilities closed, walking has been the go-to exercise option for many. It’s a good one, too. It doesn’t cost anything, demand a high level of fitness or require any special equipment beyond a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes. After you’ve been hunched over your laptop all day or curled up on the couch with your TV remote, it feels good to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

Walking is an opportunity for mindfulness and meditation, too. You’re immersed in the sights, smells and sounds of the natural world. And you’re going slow enough to really observe and appreciate them.

• Cooking at home — Goodness knows we have appreciated the tasty takeout options restaurants have offered. But sometimes the prospect of schlepping it home or just devouring it in the car is none too appealing. Many of us have had more time on our hands, too, so we’ve used it to prepare our own meals. Turns out we’re pretty good at it! Whether it’s a simple soup and sandwich lunch, or a multi-course dinner, there’s nothing like a meal prepared by hand from fresh ingredients.

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With eat-in restaurant dining off the table, families have been cooking at home more during the coronavirus quarantine.

• Family dinners — All that cooking and all that time at home also have led to the resurrection of family mealtime. Even when outside activities ramp up again, it will be worth reserving some evenings for the practice of breaking bread together. Sharing food is great, but having time to talk around the table can be a great source of emotional nourishment.

• Unplugged pursuits — Old standbys like books, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, cards, board games and paint-by-numbers sets have been having a moment. Folks have been dusting off their pianos and taking their long-neglected guitars out of cases. Doesn’t it feel good to put that device down and be an active participant in your life?

• Playing outside — Remember a few years ago when the NFL started its “Play 60” program, encouraging kids to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day? It looks like a lot of them are getting that much and more these days, without any encouragement from their football heroes.

Have you suddenly noticed all the kids in your neighborhood? Where did they come from? Two months ago, they were at school, playing organized sports, taking lessons of various kinds or inside on their digital devices. Now they’re out in their yards or playing on the sidewalk. They’re riding bikes and shooting baskets.

Will they (ironically) disappear when the quarantine lifts? Let’s hope we continue to hear and see them outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

• Generosity —The economic crisis has led many of us to think more about our fellow citizens, especially those who have lost jobs, temporarily or permanently, during the shutdown. We’ve seen tiny pantries popping up on porches and in public spaces. People are sharing what they have with those who have less.

• Checking in —In busy times, people are often heard saying they’d love a night at home alone. But when one night turns into months, solitude loses its luster. People have found dozens of creative ways to keep in touch, from baking on Facebook Live to happy hour on Zoom. They’re regularly calling elderly friends, relatives and neighbors, those in the medically vulnerable population who sometimes are forgotten in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle.

• Saving money — It’s easy to save when there’s nothing to spend your money on except groceries (unless you’re shopping online out of boredom). It’s a good time to reassess necessities versus luxuries and to pare down on frivolous expenses.

• Doing it yourself —First it was DIY manicures and haircuts, then it was home improvement and repairs. More time at home meant more time for painting or planting or general sprucing up, if you could find the materials you needed. As with cooking at home, there’s a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with mastering a task you never considered doing yourself. Of course, some things are best left to experts, but we’re handier than we thought we were.

• Healthy habits —Wash your hands! Don’t touch your face! Your mother probably told you time and again when you were growing up. But did you listen? Maybe not back then, but you sure are listening now. Ramping up basic hygiene and house cleaning habits is never a bad thing, and it will probably be a good practice from now on.

Eugene Hoshiko/AP

A woman wearing a face mask walks near a shop featuring a “Wash Your Hands Here” sign on April 20 in Tokyo.

People in Japan, China and Taiwan have worn masks in public for decades, to limit the transmission and reception of germs and as a protection against air pollution. Nowadays, masks also are worn in Japan as fashion statements and as a kind of “social firewall” to rebuff unwanted interactions. Not saying Americans, with their global reputation for being overly friendly, will follow suit — but those who are medically vulnerable might keep up the practice.