Young people practicing physical distancing

11 Physical Distancing Tips From Young People, For Young People

How these DoSomething members are staying busy while flattening the curve.

By Jackie Menjivar

Over a million people around the globe have contracted the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In order to limit its further spread, health experts and governmental leaders are urging Americans to practice physical distancing.

Right now, millions of young people are sheltering at home or limiting their physical interactions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. While we’re practicing physical distancing, we don’t have to feel alone. And while we’re feeling scared or anxious or sad, we don’t have to feel hopeless.

You aren’t alone in this fight. Through DoSomething’s COVID 19 & Physical Distancing campaign, thousands of young people have shared their tips on how they’re staying safe, fighting anxiety, and making a difference while physical distancing. Here’s their advice for getting through it!

1. Rachel, 18

“Staying creative! When you stay dormant around the house watching movies or texting friends, things are bound to get dry quickly. What's personally helped me not lose my sanity is creating different things. I've been painting, writing music, producing short films, doing all sorts of creative activities in the comfort of my own home that have helped pass the time.”

2. Xorah, 16

“Use your resources! Take advantage of all the free stuff. Free books on Audible, virtual college/university tours (YouVisit), church at home (BibleProject), Ivy League courses (google it, there are almost 500 of them) and internet access (Spectrum). Take advantage of the time that you have to do something you love or do something new. Take an art class, spend more time drawing, listen to a new musical, workout more, become an expert at chess, write a blog. Not even the sky can limit you!”

3. Rose, 17

“Use this time to focus on your relationships with your family members!! I've realized through this experience that time is much shorter than we think, and that we often take our family members for granted because we've known them all our lives. So take a step back and enjoy! Make the most of this time!”

4. Kai, 18

“In-home workouts with FaceTime! There's nothing better than keeping yourself and your friends accountable for maintaining their physical well-being, and, by doing so, your mental well-being, too! Use anything and everything as workout tools: stair steppers, stair lunges, couch dips, incline pushups, step-ups on your couch, etc.! This will keep both mind and body relaxed and in the best shape.”

5. Maggie, 21

“Try virtual volunteering! Dosomething.org has a great list, and after spending a couple of hours working on a research project last night, I feel so much better. Making a difference is something WE CAN control!”

6. Lety, 16

“If you are going to school after high school like me, I highly recommend utilizing your quarantine/social distancing time to apply for scholarships! My routine has been eating, doing school work, doing fun activities or applying to scholarships. I plan on applying to at least 100 scholarships during quarantine and even more in the summer. While my peers are probably enjoying free time watching netflix and blah blah blah I'm trying to plan for my future. I encourage you to, too!”

7. Kariel, 21

“The best tip for physical distancing is to stay inside! Though you miss your friends and being out and about, now is the perfect time to explore things you can do on your own. The world we live in today talks a lot about self-care, but self-care isn't just face masks and bubble baths. Self-care is about making you the best you that you can be. Take a course online, learn a new skill, read a book, listen to music, pet your dog. Take these several weeks just for you, it is invaluable.”

8. Madlyn, 17

“The sudden transition we are all adapting to is difficult. My tip is to use items around you in a creative way! Discover new songs (make a quarantine playlist), grab a paper and pencil and draw the first thing you see, try out a new recipe in the kitchen. This time we are spending at home can be used to appreciate the world around us. Doing something as little as observing what is outside your front door is enough to take up some time and provide ourselves with a little clarity in all of this.”

9. Aurora, 16

“Watch new shows and movies to not obsess over all the bad news. Instead of anxiously reading articles on COVID-19, take a break now and then and relax. I've gotten into a new anime called Dr. Stone. Also, check-in with family and friends through any type of digital communication. See how the people you care about are doing. It shows you care, and it gives you interaction with others without the risk of getting yourself or others sick.”

10. Charles, 20

“Call relatives or friends that you haven't had the chance to talk to for a while. Making people feel involved and remembered at a time like this is important. Organize your surroundings. With the hectic schedules that we often keep, it is sometimes hard to keep things orderly. With the extra time that we aren't spending driving to classes or work, we can create an organized environment. This will help to improve your mood and give you a sense of accomplishment.”

11. Tatum, 19

“First, do not feel pressured to be productive during this time. I have been seeing a lot of quotes spreading around about the beauty of this situation, and while there may be positive things that can come out of it, those of us with mental health issues may be struggling to relate to these kitschy postings. It is okay to feel anxious or hopeless during this time. I feel at ease writing these emotions down. Laying in bed, crying over lost loved ones. We will get through this.”