Editor's Note: This is a preview of USA TODAY's newsletter Staying Apart, Together, a guide to helpus all cope with a world changed by coronavirus. If you would like it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Saturdays, subscribe here.

We got it this week. We're ready.

It's USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler, and Iam back after a few refreshing days off. Mostly I baked things, with the help of this amazing bread cookbook. I know flour and yeast are scarce right now, but I've never felt more prepared to make artisan bread loaves, the shortest recipe of which takes, oh, eight hours.

"Flour Water Salt Yeast" by Ken Forkish(Photo: Kelly Lawler/USA TODAY)

I might never have attempted it pre-coronavirus.It's not for everyone, but man did I love doing it. When the finished product starts to look better, maybe I'll share some pictures with you guys. (Some less-involved bread recipes here.)

Getting unplugged, spending some time outside (six feet apart from anyone else) and enjoying my fresh-baked breadhas been incredibly restorative for me. I'm not saying that I was as rested and raring to go on Monday as I would have been on a normal day in the office, but I felt pretty close. I will ride this wave of energy and determination as long as it lasts. Maybe through, oh, I don't know, Wednesday? Hey, in a pandemic, I'll take what I can get.

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Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in CBS's 'Elementary.'(Photo: Michael Parmelee, CBS)

In addition to continuing my questto watch all of the James Bond movies (we just got through "Live and Let Die," and the Paul McCartney theme song is still stuck in my head, I'm not mad) I spent some of my time off revisiting "Elementary" (streaming on Hulu right now). The CBS cop show take on Sherlock Holmes offers simple escapist fare. In this Holmes story,Sherlock (Johnny Lee Miller) moves to New York for rehab, Dr. JoanWatson (Lucy Liu)is a surgeon-turned-sobriety-counselor-turned-investigator,and the deductive genius of Holmes catches killers and saves lives. There isa beautiful simplicity to it, and it has more levity and downright humor than other cop shows like "Law & Order: SVU." Plus, it has more than 150 episodes, so you'll go for awhile without needing to find a new series.

Last week we published a story I wrote in which I talked to psychologists and other experts about the fact that we don't have to be super productive during this time. It's sort of an official OK to just take it easy, focus on your health and your family. We couldn't publish everything the experts told me, so I wanted to share some tidbits from myinterview withneuroscientist Richard J. Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.He had more great thoughts on staying calm and centered in quarantine than could fit in my story.

Q: Why do you think there is increased pressure to be productive in quarantine?

Davidson: I think we can be so focused on the immediate needs at work that we fail to adequately consider the context in which the work is occurring.

Q: What is your response to people feeling stress from this pressure?

Davidson: I think we need to pay attention to what they are saying! They are naming something real and important that we must recognize.

Q: If people do find themselves with extra times, how can they practice relaxation and take care of their mental health?

Davidson: It actually does not require any extra time. It simply requires some intentional focus. We can practice relaxing as we are walking, cleaning our house, doing the laundry etc. We can also practice a little self compassion at these times, recognizing that no one is perfect and not being too hard on ourselves for failing to accomplish something in the time we had originally planned, for example. We can also practice appreciation. So much of our lives, particularly in this challenging time, depend upon others. We need others to help us get our food, to pick up the garbage, and of course, to care for our health if that should be needed. Intentionally cultivating appreciation for these many people who are serving others in this challenging time can be enormously helpful in promoting our own well-being.

If you are struggling to explain our new reality to your kids (or grandkids or nieces and nephews), here's a free, downloadablecoloring book fromTender Press Books and Zero to Thrive at the University of Michigan that makes it all a little easier.

Do you like choir music? This will completely blow you away.

We received so many pictures of adorable pets (dogs, cats and even a bunny!), so thank you all for sending them. It makes me so happy to have a little fluffy joy in my inbox. Putting two pets in today's newsletter so you can see as much cuteness as possible.

First up, Mac. His owner says, "Hes a therapy dog and is missing his buddies at the hospital. He cant wait to see them all again and wants them to know they are amazingly awesome!"

"Max"(Photo: Courtesy of Paula Zechman)

Next is three-year-old Boo, who understands the value of shelf-stable foods right now.

"Boo was rescued from a terrible hoarding situation in Northern Iowa and brought into the Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance rescue (NISA)," says her owner."She was skittish of most people and terrified by loud noises. She stayed with her foster family for over a year before she was finally ready for adoption. We were fortunate to become her Forever Family in August 2019 and love her very much!"

"Boo"(Photo: Courtesy Leslie Allison Seei)

Thank you Mac and Boo. You are very good dogs.

Thats it for this Tuesday. Stay safe, stay well, and I'll be back with more tips and furry friends on Saturday.

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler

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Staying Apart, Together: A cop show, bread and self-care to help you cope with the pandemic - USA TODAY