Some states have been facing the lockdown for what it seems like forever now. And while some rules seem to loosen up slightly, with the promise of more relaxation and safety on the horizon, it makes sense to feel a little bit of cabin fever.
The COVID19 pandemic has slammed into the routines and lives of everyone we know. Even those with a less active and ordinary lifestyle are moving about a little less, out of necessity. But what about the extroverts among us? Fortunately for those who typically spend all their weekends outside, isolation and social distancing is more than a simple nightmare.
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your body and mind occupied and healthy during this period. Some routines, small habits, and activities that, when you choose to stick with them, will make your inside life more bearable.
Video games
For gamers around the state, lockdown might seem like an excellent opportunity to sharpen those skills in pretty much every waking moment. However, given the latest pandemic advancements, it seems like increasingly more people are turning to video gaming to cope with the lockdown.
Also, it has been suggested that in order to combat isolation and procrastination, playing video games online can be a way for people to socialize with family friends while having fun at the same time.
Since March, some of the world’s biggest online games have seen a considerable rise– games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive sees an increase of nearly 360.000 players during March, while battle arena games like Dota got 120.000 new players. Digital games exist for a reason, and they can be used to replace equivalent activities that aren’t possible during the pandemic.
Watching sports
Contrary to what you might have heard, sport watching isn’t an activity that only beer-drinking couch-potatoes can enjoy. In fact, numerous new researches show that being a sports fan may actually promote your social-emotional and physical health. For instance, studies have found that sports fans are less likely to be lonely and have greater self-esteem than non-sports fans.
And as European football returns in empty stadiums without its boisterous supporters, it does not mean sports betting and watching cannot be done safely from the comfort of your couch.
At-home yoga is the best yoga
Lockdown isn’t a good reason to forego your old stretch routine. In fact, now you are going to need it more than ever.
Working out from home has turned out to be more enjoyable and easier than we thought it would. Why? That’s thanks to all the equipment free inspiration we’ve had delved through- and there is one type of working out that is not so easy to replicate at home. Unlike other strength training, in which you can rely on exercises to develop a workout that suits you, yoga is an ancient practice with well-determined postures, breathwork, and flows. You can choose from millions of classes online or YouTube subscriptions to find your perfect yoga time, teacher, and intensity.
Learn to Cook
Nothing compares with a home-cooked meal that’s more satisfying, flavourful, and cheaper than your late dinner out. Yet dining at home comes up with even more vital advantages. For instance, cooking at home gives you more control over the ingredients you use. You’ve got control over the fat, salt intake, portion size, and other elements that contribute to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Additionally, to its benefits, home cooking provides enough enjoyment, especially when the experience is shared.
Cooking with a friend, family member, or partner is a great way to relieve stress as you can create something new, laugh, and make enjoyable memories, all of which can promote wellbeing during the lockdown.
Join a virtual book group
Time to read is another advantage of the lockdown. Not only that, but virtual book groups are booming as they adapt to our increasingly rich online lives.
Because they take full advantage of technology, virtual book clubs host online meetings, interactive author talks, ongoing discussions over social media, and multiple chat groups.
Virtual book clubs have to offer something for everyone, regardless of their social strata, age, and nationality. They deeply plunge into a single genre and others that aim to be as varied in their reading material as possible. While some groups have members reading as they wish, others send weekly reminders with page goals. What’s more, is that most of them are entirely free, and there’s no limit on how many members can join.
Why should I join a virtual book club? Given the numerous benefits of reading and the data we have on the growing pandemic of loneliness, it makes a lot of sense as to why joining a book club might help you.
Adding the accountability to help you achieve your reading goal, there are also cultural privileges that clearly indicate book clubs tend to draw great value on growth, intellectual challenge, good conversation, and exposure to new ideas and literary experiences. The next time you finish your book, you can either keep those ideas for you or just type out your takeaways and provoke your friends with discussions.
Connect with far-away friends
Just because you’re not in the same coffee shop or living room doesn’t mean you can’t have a deep friendship. The lockdown provides an opportunity to connect with those we love but live far away. With that in mind, if you’re distancing yourself physically from others, it doesn’t matter whether they are in France, Milan, or Greece. The more we try to reach across the world and show we care for one another, the more likely we are to defeat a terrible virus called nationalism.
Keeping yourself busy during lockdown should not feel like a responsibility. What’s more, many of these ideas won’t involve spilling large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Practicing mindfulness health, yoga, and entertaining yourself with games, reading, and sports to virtually escape from all the pressure is a healthy response to today’s uncertainty.
Leave a Reply