Our everyday lives have changed dramatically over the last several weeks as the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the United States. We’re all finding ourselves with a lot more time at home. While we may be tempted to veg out in front of a screen, I’ve found a few simple ways to challenge myself mentally and physically that have me feeling a little better at the end of the day.
3 Strategies to Ease the Strain of Social Distancing
Create something!
While we can’t all create a masterpiece from random craft items scrounged from your home, we can all create something.
Paint by number kits, coloring books, and Lego sets aren’t just for kids anymore. These simple acts of creativity allow us to channel our inner creativity and remind us of our much less stressful younger days.
Because these activities require “modest attention focused outside of self-awareness,” according to Clinical Psychologist Scott M. Bea, they create a calming effect for some adults.
Check out stores like Michaels for a great selection of paint by number kits and coloring books.
Grow Something!
Okay. let’s admit it – we don’t all have green thumbs. But there is something magical about watching something grow and develop while knowing that you had a hand in helping it get there.
Traditionally, starting a vegetable garden from purchased or collected seeds is a great way to start your very own vegetable garden. You can find all the steps here.
For those looking for a little less effort, how about growing some plants from your kitchen scraps? Lettuce, celery, scallions, garlic – the list goes on. These vegetables are just looking for a way to avoid the compost pile and with a little water and sunlight, you can have your very own kitchen garden.
Even if you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, you can still grow something. Windowsill herb gardens grow big enough for a satisfying harvest with minimal space or attention. A large, south-facing window helps to make sure they get plenty of sunlight.
According to Hillside, a mental health facility in Georgia, gardening has many psychological benefits, including improving your mood and relieving stress and anxiety.
Learn Something!
While In-person classes and events are temporarily on-hold, your continuing education doesn’t have to be.
You can use this time to work on your professional development with tools like HubSpot’s online courses on inbound marketing, content marketing, social media and SEO, just to name a few. They even offer several certifications.
Looking to add something new to your knowledge base? Masterclass offers online classes taught by… well, masters. Whether you’re interested in photography, culinary arts, interior design, or just about anything else, you can take advantage of about twenty classes, each about ten minutes in length. And, right now, you can m get two annual passes for the price of one, making it a great way to take that class with a friend or relative and share the joy of learning.
Finding ways to fill our time while caring for our well-being can be difficult while we’re practicing an extended period of social distancing. This can be a great time to discover projects or interests that keep us engaged now and in the future.
