Social distancing is one of the most important precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. At this point of time, gatherings and going outside for leisure purposes are prohibited in almost all parts of the world. We didn’t expect that the time will come when we’re not allowed to meet our friends, conduct parties and events, or simply eat outside with our loved ones.
Adjusting to the “new normal”
For most countries around the globe, COVID-19 infection rates are becoming rampant. Although scientists are rushing to develop vaccines and medications, there’s no guarantee that we can finally go back to our normal lives in the coming months. One thing for sure is we must learn how to live safely by adopting new measures.
Here are 10 things you can do to reduce stress during this time
Indeed, it seems like the world has stopped with all the things happening around us. However, we must always think on the positive side and look for ways on how to be more productive while we’re in this situation.
Can’t think of anything? Here are some safe and fresh ideas you can try:
1. Create a new routine that works best for you
COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our daily lives. There’s nothing we can do about it but to adapt to this unfortunate situation while ensuring our safety. This big shift in our daily routine can make us feel uneasy for sure. That’s why you should develop a new routine that will help you cope with these drastic changes.
2. Keep your mental health in check
Now that everyone’s stuck at home, this sudden shift can be depressing and stressful for most of us, especially for those who are always outside due to work or leisure activities with friends. Not to mention that many people have lost their jobs and are now struggling to search for a new source of income. This adds to our fear and anxiety as we face a future that is full of uncertainties.
If your mental health is unstable or you feel hopeless, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. There are also free online seminars conducted by licensed psychologists. These initiatives can help you focus on how you can properly take care of your mental health.
3. Reach out to your loved ones regularly
There’s nothing more comforting than being together with our loved ones. Due to our limited movement, meeting with our friends and relatives might not be possible right now. Instead, we can take advantage of video calls, chats, and social media platforms to make us feel as if we’re beside them. Just a simple “Hi” or “How are you?” can uplift one’s mood and make a person happy.
4. Pick up an old or new hobby
Is there a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try but doesn’t have the chance to do so? Now is the perfect time to start it! We can see a lot of people on social media trying out something new to overcome boredom. Some of them are also even going back to their old hobbies. Try to redeem your passion for reading books, playing board games, learning a new music instrument, or other activities you once loved.
5. Get started with online dating
With people stuck at their homes, does it mean we’re not also allowed to find new love or meet potential partners? Definitely no! Thanks to communications technology, we can now reach out to other people no matter how far they are. Many love seekers are now using dating apps with hopes of finding a partner amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. Use the dating platform that is perfect for your needs
Most individuals thought that installing and using multiple dating platforms will make their love search easier and faster. The truth is you simply need to have 1 or 2 apps containing all the features that suit your preferences.
If you’re new to online dating or you don’t want to go through these platforms one by one, Click Cupid provides you with highly detailed and honest reviews about various dating apps.
7. Learn new skills
We can acquire new skills even if we’re just at home. In fact, we have more time now to explore training opportunities. There are various ways to improve our current skill set and make ourselves more knowledgeable.
Almost everyone is working from home, so no one is stuck in traffic or spending extra hours in the office. We can take advantage of this situation for our own benefit by allocating more time to our personal development and career advancement.
8. Enroll in an online course
There are many online courses available from trusted institutions and professionals. Some are free or require payment for you to get a certificate of completion. Do you want to learn more about personal finances, graphic designing, writing, and many more? Consider what fields or areas you are interested in and start browsing the long list of learning opportunities that await you!
9. Reflect on your inner self and develop new goals
Despite all the restrictions imposed upon us, we can turn this moment into an opportunity to get to know ourselves better and empower ourselves to reach new heights. Probably, you can invest your time in reading books about self-esteem and personal development then apply all the things you learned from these resources.
10. Keep your body healthy
This seems a no-brainer answer, but keeping our body in shape is the most important thing we should do right now. Gyms are closed and going outside is limited. However, these things shouldn’t stop us from getting the exercise we need. You can do a lot of basic activities inside your home with your families, such as lifting weights and sit-ups. If possible, you can also get equipment like a stationary bike that will make your exercise sessions more fun.
Let’s make this social distancing time worthwhile
We don’t know when we can go back to our normal lives and have the freedom once again to do all the things we want outside of our home. Nevertheless, what we can do at this time is to turn this situation into our advantage and enjoy the most out of it while we ensure our safety.