As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase worldwide, it’s more important than ever to take preventative and protective measures to curb the spread of the virus. Besides regular handwashing, the best way to do this is through practicing social distancing and self-quarantine. This means staying indoors and avoiding close contact with other people. However, the lack of social interaction for an uncertain period of time can take a toll on one’s mental health. Though it sounds incredibly gloomy and lonely, it certainly doesn’t have to be.
Here are a few calming and productive activities to calm your mind and ease your worries during these strange and unpredictable times:
Scrapbooking and journaling
Scrapbooking is a great way to remember your favorite memories with friends and family when you’re feeling lonely. Look through old photo albums and pull out the photos you appreciate the most. You can use stickers and adhesive strips to properly secure them onto the pages of any old notebook. Writing is also incredibly therapeutic, whether it be simple journal entries or poetry and fiction. It will allow you to let all your pent-up emotions out in a healthy manner.
Learn a new language
Language learning is not only soothing and enjoyable, but it’s also enriching. There’s plenty of resources that you can find online, such as digital copies of textbooks, apps, and video courses. You can even try connecting with people from all over the world in their native tongue on the internet. They’re most likely to be quarantined at home just like you.
Exercise
Besides being mentally healthy, you should also be physically healthy. Exercise is, of course, the best way to do this. You don’t need to head out to the gym or even take a walk outside. All you need to do is head out to your living room and make use of online workouts. Take your pick from YouTube videos, live streams, or mobile apps.
Coloring Books
Coloring is an incredibly calming activity that will allow you to distract yourself from everything else that’s going on. Whether you’re coloring an adult coloring book or a children’s one, this activity has been proven to lower blood pressure and stress levels to ensure that you feel calm and collected.
Cleaning
Cleaning is an excellent way to ease your anxieties, especially at this point in time when good hygiene is imperative. It can be a method of keeping both your physical space in order, as well as your mental space. This is the best time to tidy up the clutter on your desk, organize your kitchen, or scrub down your bathroom walls.
Cooking
One excuse people like to make for not learning how to cook is that they don’t have enough time. Now that everyone’s required to stay indoors, there’s no excuse for not learning how to whip up something in the kitchen. This is the perfect time to learn how to cook or even bake. Instead of stocking up on quarantine snacks, you can just make your own.
While it’s important to pay attention to the news and keep yourself updated, it’s good to take a break every once in a while to spend some time doing something productive and enjoyable. Stay safe indoors and try to have fun with these suggestions.
