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Florida’s statewide Stay at Home Order is effective as of Friday, April 3, 2020. While many Americans have been home for several weeks practicing social distancing, many more Americans are now mandated to stay home from work, as well. 

Making the transition to staying at home over the next 30 days could be challenging for some. While the events of our current state of affairs are out of our control, we can look for ways to make the most of our time at home. We’ve compiled a list of activities that may help you to pass the time in a positive way and provide some much-needed stress relief.

Reading
With all of the responsibilities of life, reading can seem like a lost past-time pleasure. Now may be a good time to pick up a good book, and to get lost in a story or learn something new. It’s a great way to unwind and let your mind travel to another place without ever stepping foot outside of your front door. 

Virtual Social Meetups
Friends and families are finding creative ways to stay connected while keeping a safe distance by using online video chat platforms like Zoom. But it’s being used for more than just chatting; it’s used for having dinner together, coffee, or even sharing big life moments like birthdays and anniversaries. So, the next time you miss having dinner with your friends, invite everyone to have their meals together…virtually!

Gardening
It’s said that gardening takes time and patience, two of the very precious resources we often find in limited availability. Since your usual activities have decreased, it’s a perfect time to stop and smell (or plant) the roses.

Exercising
The Stay at Home Order may stop you from going to the gym, but it doesn’t stop you from home workouts, taking a walk or jog, or biking outside. Despite the gloomy times, Florida’s spring weather is offering a perfect opportunity for you to get outdoors. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and do something good for your health.

Try New Recipes 
Many Americans find it difficult to carve out time to cook complex meals while juggling work and other aspects of life. More time at home could mean more opportunity to tackle that delicious recipe that you’ve always wanted to try. It’s also a fun activity that couples and families can enjoy together. 

Explore Hobbies
Many of our desires to take on a hobby begin with something like this, “Once I have more time, I’d love to…” The next 30 days is an excellent time to try your hand at something new. It’s an opportunity to see if you like an activity, and if you do, to start making it a part of your routine. They say it takes 30 days to form a new habit. Maybe it takes the same time to pick-up a new hobby?

Unleash Your Creativity
It’s challenging to tap into your creative side when you’re distracted by other priorities. While you have the space to think more clearly, try channeling that energy into creativity. Often, we tap only into a small fraction of our talents because we don’t take the time to explore them. Take the next 30 days to unleash your inner creativity and find a new passion. 

Although staying at home may prove to be challenging for Florida residents, it can also be a time to do the things you’ve always been meaning to do. However you use your time, stay home, stay safe, and stay positive. We’ll get through this together.  

You can always take advantage of our financial literacy content that's beneficial to the whole family.

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Source: CNBC