Ways to Keep Sane During the COVID Revamp
We were almost out… Businesses were opening back up, mask mandates were being lifted, and curfews were a thing of the past until now. The COVID-19 Delta Variant showed its face and now we’re back on the verge of going underground. We barely survived the first shutdown, how are we going to stay sane if this Delta variant gets as bad as the research is predicting? I know the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting further and further away at this point, but we’ve conquered this mess before and we can do it again! The key is to keep your anxiety and stress in check and no, you don’t need a therapist to accomplish that. Instead, try working one of these activities into your daily routine. This will allow for you to continue to operate on some sort of schedule all while having small victories to look forward to. Here are a few of our favorites:
1.) Get Growing!
Last year, house plant sales hit an all time high during lockdown, and for a good reason! An apartment full of plants not only appeals both to our desire to beautify our environment and enhance our air quality, but it also appeals to our nurturing side. As human beings, we desire to feel needed and purposeful and believe it or not, plants provide that type of satisfaction. Without us consistently watering their roots, pruning their leaves, and making sure they’re receiving enough sunlight, our plants would die. They are dependant on us for survival and our souls love that. But why stop at house plants when you can build a sustainable garden? Whether you want a garden bed full of raw fruits and veggies for you to harvest on your own accord, or you simply just want to be able to pick a bouquet of flowers when needed, gardens are a great source of a happy distraction.
2.) Ohhhhmmmm
Try starting a daily meditation or mindfulness habit. Whether that be yoga, exercising, or really anything that calms your mind, taking time to explore your thoughts and feelings can be incredibly beneficial! Allowing yourself to process what is flowing into your mind and then letting it go all in the same breath can help alleviate stress, anxiety, tension, and negative feelings. I know… sitting still with your eyes closed doesn’t exactly sound like rocket science, but I’ll be the first to tell you, it’s a lot harder than it sounds. For a little extra guidance and reassurance, check out these apps, Headspace and Calm if you’re ready to break out by breaking in.
3.) Learn a New Trade
The possibilities are endless, but some places we recommend you start are Skillshare, Open Culture, or DuoLingo if you’re in the market to learn a new language. Learn everything from how to sew, draw, use an HDR camera, master Illustrator, etc. The skills and hobbies you’ve been putting off, now is the time. Even if these sites don’t offer specifically what you’re looking for, somewhere out there does. You just need to find it, which in its own way, is a fun way to help keep you sane. If you want to really go above and beyond here, start looking into new career possibilities. Starting a new chapter and turning over a new leaf is no easy feat, but it does give you something to work towards and look forward to. If you’ve ever thought about a career in beauty, check us out!
4.) Game Night
Though I think it’s safe to say that none of us are big fans of COVID, I will say, COVID has brought opened our eyes to all of the possibilities of online. Since COVID has came around, Zoom meetings, family watch parties, and even online game nights have become a thing of the norm. You’re still able to spend time with your loved ones all from the comfort and safety of your couch. Games like Cards Against Humanity, Jackbox Games, and even virtual murder mysteries, are all games that are now accessible online so you don’t have to miss out on game night with the fam.
I know these options aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they were just a few of our favorites to help keep us sane in an insane world. For the full list of activities, check out this list! Our suggestion is to print out the activities on a single sheet and rank each activity 0-10 based on how appealing it seems to you. For those activities that don’t rank highly, swap those out for other interests that do! The point is to keep your mind and body active and looking forward instead of back. Regardless of what happens out there, you’ve got this. You always have and you always will.
