Normal routines have been thrown by the wayside. Life feels a bit more chaotic and stressful than it ever has before. Many educators are being asked to stay at home due to the spread of COVID-19, and many of you not only have to worry about watching your own children but also continuing instruction for your students, too.

Here’s a roundup of ways you and your family can take care of yourselves during this time of social distancing.

• From CATCH Global Foundation: With schools across the country closing, it’s important to keep kids engaged, healthy, and active at home. CATCH Global Foundation has released “Health at Home”—a free set of health, nutrition, and physical education materials that require limited space and supervision. Access is quick and easy via Google Classroom. Full details and instructions are available at catch.org/pages/health-at-home.
• Go outside and take a walk or run, ride your bike or scooter, or let your kids play hoops. While many of us are practicing self-isolation to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus, we’re still allowed some fresh air! Allow your children time for some true free play—and give yourself the same. Step outside, stand barefoot in the grass, breathe deeply, and ground yourself. Whatever you do, be sure to still maintain distance from others when you’re outside, though!
• Unable to get to a park or yard? No problem. From dancing to yoga, mini-scavenger hunts to seven-minute workouts, there are numerous apps and resources out there you can put to use inside your home. Check out the article from NPR-affiliated KQED “Exercise Tips to Help Kids, Teens, and Families Stay Balanced at Home” for dozens of ideas.
• Work hard to stick to structure and routines, including maintaining a sleeping schedule. It may feel like time has stopped and the boundaries of the day don’t matter anymore, but setting a schedule can help maintain normalcy and purpose.
• Feeling stressed, anxious, or afraid? You’re not alone, and your feelings are valid. The CDC has put together some tips for reducing stress in yourself and others. The key? Taking breaks—whether that’s a break from news, a break to go outside, or a break to connect with others.

Take care out there. Remember—we’re all in this together.