COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has become a global pandemic that has forced millions to stay at home and not go outside for work, activities, education, or sports. This can be draining both physically and mentally knowing that you can’t leave your home and interact with the world! There are things that you can do at home to keep your body and your mind occupied as we all wait together for the world to turn. We can do this!
Call a loved one
While social distancing and self-isolation may not allow us to visit our family and friends face-to-face, thanks to cell phones, we can still call them! Hearing a loved one’s voice during this time of isolation can do wonders for your mind and it lets your family know that you are thinking of them. You can also do a video call to connect with your family and friends even more. Let them know you are safe and encourage them to stay positive during this time of solitude!
Read a book
“I never have time to read!” Well, now you have all the time in the world. Literally! There is absolutely no reason why you don’t have time to read during this period of staying at home. Pick up a book on your shelf that you’ve been dying to read but simply have been too busy for. If you don’t have any books, but can’t get books shipped or go to a bookstore, then buying an e-book online is another option. Amazon and Google Play have a large variety of books to choose from.
Listen to a podcast
If you’re not much of a reader, then that’s ok too. You can totally dive into a new podcast. I love listening to podcasts because they’re informative, interesting, and a great way to pass the time! Also, since I’ve been working from home (along with many others) I’ve been trying to limit my screen time for my eye’s health. Listening to a podcast can be a great source of entertainment without straining your eyes staring at a phone or a computer. My favorite podcasts currently are “Girl On Top” a weekly love and dating podcast hosted by Shallon Lester, and “And That’s Why We Drink,” a true crime/paranormal podcast. Podcasts are available on Spotify and iTunes.
Work Out (from home!)
I honestly found myself going crazy when my gym closed down in Shanghai for two months at the beginning of the year. However, it taught me that there are ways to workout at home! The most simple technique I have found is doing yoga from home. There are an array of free yoga videos on YouTube that only take twenty minutes of your time and can be done from the comfort of your living room. More into weightlifting? If you don’t have dumbbells at your home, you can fill a milk jug with water or rice and lift it. You could also try lifting a large textbook or a trash bag filled with old clothes. If you have stairs in your house you can walk up and down (carefully!) until you feel tired. Planks, jumping jacks, lunges, and squats are also all simple exercises that you can do from the comfort of your home.
Give yourself some love
It’s frustrating not being able to go about your routine and not knowing what is going to happen or how long the coronavirus pandemic will last. That’s why it’s important to not only take care of your physical health, but your mental health. It’s ok to not feel ok. It’s ok to be anxious and sad. It’s normal, but be sure to remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can at this moment. Give yourself some love, take a deep breath, and give yourself a break. We will get through this together.
