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How to Beat Cabin Fever
How to Beat Cabin Fever
As our country and community marches on in the fight against COVID19, it has been amazing to see people stepping up and reinventing their lives to help stop the spread. Although social distancing is by far the most effective way of protecting yourself and your loved ones, I think we can all agree it is getting a bit dull.
Cabin fever is hard enough to deal with in the cold darkness of the winter but in the middle of this beautiful spring?! It’s understandable to be restless and eager to get out.
To help you fight the Quarantine Cabin Fever we have developed a list of 5 things to keep up your spirits.
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Pull Out a Good Book (or 2)
Almost everyone has that list of books they keep saying they are going to read someday. Today is the day! With the normal busyness of day to day life placed on hold, what better time to dig into the pages of that novel or self-betterment book?
Need a suggestion on a good book? Try reading something by local author Robert Elmer! His stories are packed full of history, adventure, and action. The perfect thing to entertain you for hours on end!
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Start Spring Cleaning
We know, not the most exciting activity. However, it is probably the one future you will appreciate the most. Post quarantine you aren’t going to want to spend MORE time secluded in your home getting it ready for summertime entertaining. So get a jumpstart on the game and start cleaning/decluttering now.
Not sure where to start? Download this FREE Printable Decluttering Checklist by Making Lemonade to make sure you don’t miss anything.
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Call Friends and Family
Sometimes when we’re down in the dumps we can forget there are so many in the same boat (especially right now). This time of isolation is the perfect opportunity to reach out to friends and family you might not have talked to in a while – especially grandparents! If you’re wanting a little more than just to hear their voice; below is a list of video calling apps you can connect with others on.
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Take a Free Online Course
Maybe for you, this time away from others is actually just an opportunity for personal growth! Personal growth could be emotional, spiritual, or intellectual. Right now might just be the perfect time to pick up an online course or two.
Don’t have the funds for tuition? Corsera is an online educational facility partnering with world-class instructors to make online learning more accessible. They have hundreds of free courses you can sign up for TODAY.
We personally suggest signing up for Dr. Laurie Santos’ course on The Science of Well-Being.
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Get Outside
To be clear, this does NOT mean meeting up with your friends for a picnic at the park or joining a group on a hike. Getting outside is extremely important right now to help fight off the depression that can happen from being cooped up; however, outside isolation should still include social distancing. Going on a solitary walk down the street or a stroll to the beach might be just the thing you need to keep your spirits up. However, if you see a neighbor, friend, or any other person be sure to keep the 6-feet-rule.
Not sure what 6 feet really looks like? This CNN article has some helpful and amusing images that could help!
You might also be interested in community resources available to you during this time:
Whidbey Family Resources During COVID-19 Closures
Whidbey Family Resources During COVID-19 Closures
Many working parents with young children are scrambling to reassess the next 6 weeks and putting plans in place to keep kids healthy and learning while still earning necessary income. This is going to be a trying time for everyone but families with 2 working parents are facing a particular logistical headache. There are options out there and below is a collection of what is available…
Child Care:
Boys & Girls Clubs are offering more than 50% off child care and reduced transportation fees. Fill out the application and find out more via the following links.
Oak Harbor Boys & Girls Club
Coupeville Boys & Girls Club
High School and College Students are out of school as well and might be looking for child care work. The going rate for long term child care is anywhere from $7-$15 an hour depending on how many kids, their ages, responsibilities, driving required, etc. When screening babysitters this article might come in handy. https://www.care.com/c/stories/6753/babysitter-interview-questions/
Short Term Homeschooling:
If you are finding yourself staring down the tunnel at 6 weeks of homeschooling when this has never been a part of your plan it can feel daunting. Here are three tips that may help.
1. Create Structure through a Schedule:
Having a schedule that everyone can refer to and count on will help things from getting out of control. Here is a simple schedule we like.
2. Use the Online Resources at Your Fingertips:
Thank goodness we live in the digital age and that we still have the internet through this. We highly recommend Prodigy Game for keeping kids 1-8th grade on track with their math. Looking for a daily curriculum and content to guide your academic time at home? This Scholastic site has set up day by day themed learning opportunities at four different age levels for free! https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
We would love to hear what you recommend and be sure to check out this long list of free or discounted resources! http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
3. Stay Positive & Create Community:
This too shall pass and you can choose to either wallow in the negatives or focus on all the silver linings! Since we are all in this together on Whidbey be sure to reach out to your fellow families, whether you have a previous relationship with them or not. Times of trial can bring people closer together in very authentic ways. Being outside is the safest way to convene and with some beautiful Spring days planning a walk with just a few families might be the perfect way to brighten everyone’s day. Want to learn more about outdoor opportunities?
Visit these posts…
Matthew Gardner
Matthew Gardner
Did you know that Windermere Real Estate is one of the only brokerages to have it’s very own in-house economist?
Matthew Gardner is Windermere’s Chief Economist and is responsible for analyzing and interpreting current economic data and the impact it will have on the real estate market. Matthew is a huge asset to the Windermere name and on March 12th Whidbey Island Windermere was lucky enough to have him give a presentation on our local market that was recorded and made available to all. Matthew addressed questions such as the following:
How will COVID19 affect the market?
Does the current oil shock have any effect on real estate?
Are we in the middle of a real estate bubble?
When is the next recession? Will my home value plummet?
Is the housing and income gap still growing?
What’s the market like in MY area?
Matthew Gardner Housing Forecast Whidbey Island from Windermere Real Estate on Vimeo.
In the recorded presentation below Matthew gives answers to all of these questions and more with his in-depth and comprehensive review of the current and projected state of the Whidbey Island real estate market. If you have questions after watching the presentation don’t hesitate to give your local Windermere agent a call!
How to Protect Yourself When Listing/Buying During the Coronavirus Epidemic
How to Protect Yourself When Listing/Buying During the Coronavirus Epidemic:
A note from our Branch Manager/Co-Owner, Kristen Stavros
There is no doubt the Coronavirus has left us feeling uneasy with numerous unknowns and fear of what-ifs.
To curb those feelings lets discuss some of the things we do know & can control.
1. If you have been thinking about selling your house, NOW IS THE TIME! We are currently experiencing a period of low supply yet high demand, couple this with interest rates still below 4% which means more buying power for buyers and you have a recipe for the perfect time to list!
2. If you are looking to buy a home this is still an excellent time with incredibly low-interest rates.
3. If you have a mortgage, NOW IS THE TIME TO TALK WITH YOUR LENDER ABOUT A REFINANCE or perhaps sell and upgrade. There are a couple different housing markets at play right now. Your Windermere Whidbey agent can counsel you on the right move for your individual goals.
For Those of You Listing or Considering Listing Your House…
Here are some recommendations:
A. Leave all room doors open so Buyers don’t have to touch door handles.
B. Put a dish by the front door or on the kitchen counter for business cards to be left in (so you do not have to touch the cards that Brokers are required to leave behind).
C. Have a bottle of sanitizer at the entrance of your home for visitors to use before they enter your home.
D. After the home is shown, wipe down all door handles inside and out, starting with the front door.
For Buyers and their Agents…
A. Review recommended practices with agent/client before showing.
B. Don’t touch anything unnecessarily, sneeze into a sleeve, wash/sanitize hands before and after, etc.
C. Sanitize hands after handling lockbox and carry anti-microbial wipes.
D. Refrain from placing business cards anywhere a Seller might have to touch them to throw them out.
Best Places on Whidbey For Whale Watching
Discover the Best Places to Whale Watch
When it comes to natural wonders, Whidbey Island is unbelievably blessed. With expansive undeveloped areas, nine state parks, and views that take your breath away, it’s hard to imagine it could get any better.
But it does!
In addition to our incredible outdoor opportunities for explorers, we are one of the few places in the world where land-dwellers have an opportunity to get a glimpse of some spectacular mammals of the sea. Puget Sound’s cold and nutrient-rich water makes it the perfect place for whales to roam. Although you could spend the money to board a whale-watching boat and find the mammals out on the water, boats aren’t always required when you’re on Whidbey.
Below are the top 5 places to see whales from land on Whidbey!
West Beach
At the west-most point of Oak Harbor lies a stretch of beach beloved by wanderers and sea life alike. With wide-open views and miles of ocean just off the shore, it’s not hard to see why West Beach is one of the best places to see whales near Whidbey.
Penn Cove
The nutrient-rich water of Penn Cove cultivates a thriving ecosystem for small and large sea life. It’s this sea life in the form of ghost shrimp and fat seals that attracts the attention of gray whales and transient Orca alike. It’s not uncommon for the residents of Penn Cove to see a gray whale’s tail break the surface of the water as they dig in the mudflats for shrimp or a full-on chase between a stealthy Orca and a seal.
Hidden Beach
What this public beach lacks in amenities it makes up for with view and privacy. On a sunny day, beach-goers have the opportunity to see Camano Island sitting peacefully across the Saratoga Passage and – if they come at just the right time – maybe even a whale!
Lagoon Point
Just north of this charming seaside community is a county park boasting nothing more than public access to the Lagoon Point community beach. Luckily access to the beach is really all you need to catch a glimpse of traveling orcas or scavenging grey whales.
Seawall Park
Hidden below the streets of downtown Langley is a quaint little park with beautiful art, well-maintained landscaping, and a spectacular view of the Saratoga Passage. Onlookers often have the wonderful treat of seeing a whale pass or even watch them feed in the massive ghost shrimp beds. If you do, don’t forget to ring the Whale Bell!
Bonus: Your own back porch?
Can you say “waterfront property”? Yes, please! Our beautiful island has many waterfront homes and properties with beautiful views of Puget Sound. How amazing would it be to sip coffee on your own patio while enjoying pods of orca passing by or gray whales feeding on the beach right in front of you? If this sounds like your dream, give us a call today!
Now, remember, if you do see a whale you should report it to the Orca Network! Reporting sightings to the Orca Network helps with scientific efforts and helps other whale watchers like yourself!
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