COVID-19’s impact continues to be felt around the globe. Businesses are shutting down, economic activity are on a standstill, and people are spending most of their waking hours at home. With so many changes happening left and right, it’s safe to say that life as we know it has changed forever.
Since there’s still no vaccine available, people will have to find ways to cope in the meantime. Staying at home may keep you safe from the virus, but it’s hard to ignore the challenges that come with self-isolation. Lack of contact with the outside world and repeating the same things every day can make life feel stale and take a huge toll on your mental health.
To maintain your well-being during this period, make it a point to double down on self-care and spend your free time more meaningfully. To help you get started, this guide will discuss several trending activities you can do during the pandemic.
- Build a workout routine
Make your fitness a priority! Now that you have more free time on your hands, try and build a workout routine. Setting some daily time for exercises won’t only help you stay in shape; it will also help you plan your days ahead. Since it’s easy to embrace disorder during this period, following a three- or four-day program can already make a big difference to your routine.
Fortunately enough, all the fitness resources you need is on the internet. With just a quick search on YouTube, you can find a ton of beginner exercise videos to help you begin your journey to wellness. Paired with enough rest and a balanced diet, you’ll look and feel better than ever before.
- Cook or bake something new
Turn your kitchen into a playground. Cooking may be a bit tedious and messy, especially in the case of beginners, but it’s a good way to pass the time. It’s also a fulfilling activity that is best done with others, so you should go ahead and try out different recipes with your siblings or roommates.
If you need some ideas to get going, then take a look at this guide for some easy quarantine recipes.
- Go on a Netflix date
Being away from your significant other can be very challenging. Given that quarantine has also compromised public transportation, you may have been in some kind of long-distance relationship in the past few months. While Facetime-ing may not fully replace a physical encounter, going on a virtual date is currently the best option you can take.
If you’re searching for some date ideas, one easy thing you can do is to watch a show. If the two of you own a Netflix account, then you can watch a series together with Netflix party. It’s a free Google Chrome plugin that places a chatbox beside the film that’s playing, making it easier for you to share your excitement.
It can accommodate many people, too, so you can set a movie night with friends and family.
- Host virtual hangout sessions
Missing your loved ones? Don’t wait for quarantine to end and reach out immediately! Now that video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have entered the picture, you can easily host virtual hangout sessions with your friends and family. If your birthday or another special event is coming up, you can use the occasion to get everyone in touch.
To make your virtual hangout session more fun, host some games for your video call. Going for Jeopardy or testing each other’s wits through a quiz is sure to bring some fun and happy memories.
- Invest in an online class
Improving your skill set is one of the most productive things you can do during this pandemic. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to use video editing programs or recently developed an interest in coding, there are a ton of online courses you can choose from. Learning something new won’t just keep you occupied; it will even increase your employability down the line.
Apart from investing in a class, you should also look to other educational lockdown activities. If you’re living with children, taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian or Van Gogh Museum will give you a worthwhile experience.
- Learn how to play an instrument
Always wanted to learn how to play an instrument? Now is the best time to do it. Listening to music is a great way to destress, but learning how to play your favorite tunes is even better. You’ll be glad to know that there are many free videos online that can help you get the basics of the guitar or piano.
Once you develop a more profound interest in your chosen instrument, consider getting the services of a teacher. Given the closure of schools and learning establishments, many musicians out there are offering online classes at affordable rates. Having a hands-on teacher to personalize your learning program will allow you to progress at a quicker pace.
- Pick up a second language
Whether it’s Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish, learning a new language can open bring dozens of opportunities for you. If you decide to travel once the pandemic is over, being fluent in a country’s native language will let you navigate through popular tourist destinations with ease.
But when viewing things from a business perspective, knowing another language can help you build partnerships and gain more clients overseas. Once you’ve decided on a particular dialect, hiring a tutor will let you pick things up quickly.
Note: Not convinced yet? Take a look at this guide to learn the benefits of being bilingual.
- Start a podcast
Love listening to podcasts? Why not make your own? If you’ve got some crazy stories or rich insights that you’d want to share, it’s probably time for you to start recording. Luckily, you don’t need a million-dollar studio and professional equipment to get started. With just a simple mic and a quiet space, you can already start one from the comforts of your room.
- Spice up your living space
Improve the atmosphere of your home. The environment you’re in can greatly influence your mood and cognition, so make sure that your bedroom and common areas are lively and spotless. Start cleaning out dusty areas, washing stains from dirty carpets, and throwing out unnecessary clutter in the garbage can.
To spice things up further, consider placing new pieces of furniture or adding some knick-knacks for a personal touch.
- Take care of plants
If pets aren’t allowed in your place, why not become a plant parent instead? At first glance, taking care of greenery doesn’t sound very enticing, but plant lovers will be glad to tell you how therapeutic it is.
Pruning, water, and other maintenance measures may get tedious, but they’re all calming activities that make up a fulfilling experience. Since taking care of plants can be tricky for new plant owners, you should take a look at this guide for some basic plant care tips.
Locked down but not bogged down
Instead of staying on the couch and scrolling through your phone for hours, picking up a new hobby will do you wonders this pandemic. Having a daily activity to look forward to won’t only keep you preoccupied, it will also help you manage your stress amidst these tough times.
