We are starting to see never before seen bans and restrictions imposed on countries and states across the US. As a response to the growing threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many people currently find themselves confined to their homes. With any luck, these measures will prove to be effective towards curbing the spread of the virus on our streets. While it might be a considerable inconvenience to many, especially those who enjoy a good meal at their favorite restaurant, socializing with their friends over a drink at a bar, or going to movies or concerts; it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s only temporary, and for the health and safety of everyone. Here are some ways you can avoid going stir crazy, or use this time as a wonderful opportunity for personal development and growth:

Pursue that Dream

Now is a wonderful time to pursue that dream you’ve been hitting the snooze button on for far too long. When we were kids, most of us had a dream about what we wanted to be when we grew up, but now that we’ve grown up, for how many of us has that dream come true? Good news, you have plenty of time right now to research and take steps to pursue that dream. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of becoming an astronaut, a famous Hollywood film producer, or world-renowned ballerina, now’s the time to study what it would take to make those dreams a reality. Even if your dream proves to still be unobtainable, there’s a good chance by exploring the possibility, you’ll discover some new passion or similar ambition that is within your reach.

Get Skills, Not Ill

There’s lots of skills out there for a person to learn, yet so little time to actually learn them. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw, speak another language, or how to play a musical instrument, now is the perfect time to do just that! Learning a new skill doesn’t have to be difficult, it could be as simple as picking up a book on the subject from your local library. Library closed? No problem, there’s all sorts of free resources online to help you develop an interest into a skill. You might even consider enrolling in an online course from sites like Udemy or Coursera.

Catch Up with People

You can catch up with people without the risk of catching the coronavirus. Just because you’re practicing social distancing, doesn’t mean you have to be antisocial. Our daily lives can be hectic even after we’re done with work. Kids have to be picked up from schools and day cares, dinners have to be made, and lunches need to be packed, normally it’s hard to find the time to touch base with the people in our life. Since so many businesses and schools are closed and extracurricular activities are cancelled, it’s a great time not only to catch up with your immediate family, but to reach out to distant relatives and friends you might not have heard from in a very long time. You can do it from the comforts of your own home by simply calling them on the phone or sending an email. I’m sure they would be happy to hear from you and to know that you’re well.

Come Down with Spring Cleaning Fever

Been meaning to get those dust balls under the love seat that may now more closely resemble tumbleweeds? Maybe your resident spider has made not only its home but also built a cobweb cottage in your attic or basement that needs evicting? Springtime is now here and with it comes plenty of time to take on those much needed cleaning projects you’ve been putting off since winter. Here’s an added bonus: If you have kids that are home from school, why not set them loose on those tasks while you sit back relaxing with your favorite beverage and follow some of the other advice in this article?

Read an Epic Novel, Not About the Epidemic

Always wanted to read the epic works of Dante or Homer? What about War and Peace or Infinite Jest? By the time these bans and restrictions on public gatherings are lifted, you may well find you have finished one of them, and what’s more, you’ll have a whole new topic of conversation to discuss once you’re able to socialize again! Even if you feel like you don’t have the time or patience to finish one of these epic masterpieces, reading any book would be beneficial to your mental health. Books offer a great means to escape from the harsh realities of the global crisis we’re facing today.

In closing, close that door, live in that living room. Grow as a person, all while keep the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 from growing. Remember that each and every day is a gift, but it is up to you to unwrap it and find the treasure inside.