Spending more time at home used to sound like The Life, but many of us are now dreading it (whether you have kids or not). We don't realize how accustomed we are to interacting in-person and going anywhere we want, whenever we want, until we're asked not to. Just remember, this too shall pass, and in the meantime, here are some tips for surviving, and even making the most of it.

You don’t have to go crazy or waste the items you’ve just stockpiled in some kind of wild culinary experiment. Fancy up your usual mac-and-cheese, bake cookies from scratch, make pizza with the kids. My grandmother’s signature recipe before a hurricane was “Must-Go Soup”; she’d clean out the fridge and decide what must go, then make a big batch of soup that would last forever. Cooking can be therapeutic, and a nice distraction from screen time overload.

There are plenty of free learning programs out there, take advantage! YouTube is always a great resource for instructional videos and DIY projects. To brush up on a language you haven’t spoken since high school or start learning a brand new one, download Duolingo for dozens of language courses to choose from. If you’re a fan of TED talks, TED-Ed offers lessons on topics ranging from opera to politics to sociology. These are just a few examples; a quick Google search brings up numerous lists and reviews of free programs.

There’s a lot of stress in the current climate, so taking time to check in with yourself is important. Not sure what’s considered self care? Anything! Meditation, yoga, exercise, a bubble bath, a skin care routine, a crossword puzzle, even just binge-watching The Office for the thousandth time under a warm blanket—whatever works for you is the answer. If you’re really struggling, lots of therapists offer phone or video chat sessions (and there are apps for that too).

Read the books you bought when you were feeling ambitious. Deep clean your house. Arrange your closet and sort out clothes for donation. Clean and organize your cabinets or pantry. This can be the perfect time to get around to those small projects that seem to always fall by the wayside.

Sure, the idea of working from your couch wearing your favorite pajamas sounds great, but many people that work from home full-time find that routine is key to staying productive. Get dressed and groomed as you normally would, have breakfast, make a cup of coffee in a travel mug—do something to signal your brain that it’s time to get to work.

A lot of things are changing right now, but unfortunately the pests don't know that and are going about business as usual. If during your at-home adventures you find something is bugging you (aside from going stir-crazy), Burgess Pest is here to help. We’re still a resource if you have questions or concerns, and can frequently handle pest problems without even entering your home, so don't hesitate to reach out.