I’m the biggest opponent of the “I don’t have time” excuse. I firmly believe that if we truly want to do something, then we’ll make time for it.
No excuses now.
Per the latest recommendations from all of the major health organizations, the exponential spread of COVID-19 largely restricts us to the four walls of our homes. For the foreseeable future, and for the safety of the American population, we must stay inside and remain socially distant.
These will be challenging times. For a foreign, unknown force to suddenly strip the human existence of its most precious moments, feelings of helplessness will inevitably set in.
It’s safe to say we all now -- in some capacity -- possess more free time on our hands than in our previous pandemic-stricken lives. And as my elders frequently tell me, challenge creates opportunity.
Rather than sink deeper into the couch watching Netflix, we can combat the coronavirus instead by focusing on self-improvement.
Here’s 13 ways we all can do that, and from the comfort of our own homes:
1. Get informed: Whether it’s the local or national newspaper, these publications are providing the latest facts emerging during this pandemic. Sign up for an online subscription or a physical copy, both of which often come at a discounted price. Watch the local news. Listen to podcasts. It’s so important to stay informed as this unprecedented situation is rapidly changing by the day.
2. Read books: Set aside time to read every day, at least 30 minutes per sitting. You know that book on your shelf you’ve always told yourself you wanted to read someday? Someday has arrived. And as an alternative, Kindle books provide you with endless options and audiobooks also allow you to listen while performing another activity.
3. Watch educational documentaries: We’re all signed up for some sort of streaming service nowadays, all of which provide a vast catalog of children’s movies, horror films, comedies, chick flicks and more. But there’s also a bunch of documentaries, often shorter in nature, that teach you about myriad subjects you’re curious about. Ask a friend to watch the documentary on his/her own time as well, and then discuss at a later time.
4. Phone-a-friend: Text messages won’t get the job done for this indefinite amount of time. We need to hear the voices of our loved ones. Set aside time every day to call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Even better, check in on family members to see how they’re coping during these troubling times.
5. FaceTime meals: Want to get lunch with a friend? Well, it could be difficult considering so many of our favorite hangouts are closing down. Instead, set aside a time for a FaceTime lunch with a buddy. Simpy prepare your own meal and connect for a conversation with one another like you normally would at the burger joint down the street.
6. Write letters: Dust off that old quill, get some stamps and write letters to your friends and family sprawled all throughout the country! Get creative.
7. Exercise: With gyms closing down and our freedom-of-movement severely limited, it’s vitally important we stay active. If you’re working from home, take 15 minutes (or more) to get outside and stretch your legs, and do so several times a day. With spring around the corner, the “it’s too cold” excuse won’t fly. Plus, the sun provides essential vitamins we can’t receive by simply swallowing a pill. And for those seeking more intense exercise, the human body can do amazing things on its own: push-ups, sit-ups, planks, squats, lunges, to name a few.
8. Stretch: Not many people take time each day to stretch, but now we have some time on our hands. Hold poses to stretch out your hamstrings, quads, lower back, calves -- really anything that can be stretched. This will help us all prevent the aches and injuries that often stop us from moving in the first place.
9. Spring cleaning: Everyone’s favorite activity! While you’re busy disinfecting all surfaces, take the time to dust the TV stand, vacuum up all the crud behind the refrigerator. Clean out your medicine cabinets and rid your food pantry of those expired cans of diced tomatoes. Revisit your closet and consider donating clothing to the less-fortunate. Free yourself from the material possessions that don’t add value to your life anymore. Digitize anything that can be digitized -- photos, important personal and work documents, whatever you can think of. Less is more.
10. Donate: If you’re healthy and/or financially able to do so, find a way to donate your time or money to help others. Consider running errands for those completely bound to their homes. Conduct research on charitable causes and donate funds to help American citizens receive the proper treatment.
11. Learn an instrument: On a similar note, dust off that old guitar you said you wanted to learn how to play. Find instructional YouTube videos to teach you the basics. Just don’t annoy the neighbors.
12. Home brewing: There’s a reason liquor stores are staying afloat during this time. But have you ever wanted to brew your own beer or make your own wine? There’s a bunch of easy-to-use home brewing kits out there. The fermentation process takes time (which you have), but a few homemade 8.0 % ABV New England IPAs sounds like a tasty way to live out the quarantine.
And you can roast your own coffee beans instead, but that’s less fun.
13: Meditation: Don’t roll your eyes. This practice is crucial. We must take time for ourselves and focus on our breath and innermost thoughts. Negativity and pessimism swirl around us from all angles, and it’s so important to temporarily deprive ourselves of those thoughts. Plus, it’s totally free. Find a cushion to sit on and simply inhale and exhale deeply to calm the thought waves of the mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment