The pandemic has certainly brought a lot of craziness into our lives. We have found our lives turned upside down and back to front. Everything is different, how we work, how we shop, and even how we spend our time. We are finding that things are difficult and mental health has certainly been a focal point as a lot more people seem to be suffering from it or if you already did it has worsened. These are why we need to keep some form of normality that we can and focus on the positives and how we can make the most out of the extra spare time we have.
We can still continue learning and continue our studies, it may not be at the same speed but anything is better than nothing. Lots of teachers and lecturers are changing to online classes for now so their students don’t fall behind. Like Travis Preston at CalArts is making sure he continues so his students can still learn and progress forward.
Looking after your mental and physical health is important and something people are probably slacking on a bit. It is a lot easier to just order a takeaway but a great option would be to look at new and different recipes. You can try making something you have always wanted to try, making it from scratch with the family can be a bonding experience, a lot more enjoyable and you will know you are eating healthy foods that will sustain you and give you the essential nutrients you need.
Physical health is just as important, if you find you can no longer go to the gym or that exercise class you did before, see if there is an online alternative or find an exercise you can do on your own. You can try running, hiking, swimming, and surfing, the possibilities are endless. See if you can even find some good meditation and mindfulness apps and videos to look after your mental health as well.
Beating boredom can seem to be the biggest one on getting through this. A lot of us have opted for binging shows on TV, learning TikTok dances, and baking banana bread. There are so many ways in which we can occupy our time and make the most of all the spare time we have. You can try learning a new hobby, taking up a craft like knitting or sewing. You could even look to start a side hustle and bring in some more money while you are at home more. There is so much you can do and you might find a new passion. A way to keep you busy and earn extra money.
It is especially hard for kids. There are a lot of online resources, like a lot of zoos and safari parks that have 24-hour live cameras now. There are a lot of resources on YouTube as well like yoga and exercise for kids which will help keep them active too.