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The past few months have been difficult for most people all around the world. The COVID-19 virus has caused mass hysteria and people are anxious about what the future holds. This is not a situation anyone expected. People have lost loved ones, and people are still losing loved ones. Seeing other people suffer can have you questioning your own life, what you value, your priorities, what really matters.
At the end of the day, all we have is hope! Hope that today was not OK, but tomorrow will be better. Today sucks, but tomorrow is a new day! As someone who lives alone, social distancing can be difficult. It gets lonely. You begin to have conversations with yourself that you have never had before. Naturally, I am an introvert. I can’t imagine what this feels like for other personality types such as extroverts that stay alone.
The first few weeks of social distancing have been difficult because I had become an extroverted- introvert. I love to be alone, but I have come to appreciate the company too. However, my family is in a different city and it is really a stretch to expect your friends to visit during these times. It is also self-imposing to show up at a friend’s house in times like these. You put yourself at risk and you put others at risk. So it looks like most of us are stuck at home for the next few weeks.
This sounded depressing for me at first. In as much as I enjoy my company, I crave for companionship too. It's human. But it had me thinking, social distancing is an opportunity to explore yourself, and if you live with family, it is an opportunity to get to know them better. So what is the bright side of social distancing? How can social distancing benefit you? In my own opinion, so many ways. Social distancing is a time to explore yourself, your passions, and the people you love. You have ample time to readjust the way you do things, re-evaluate your life, and rewire your brain.
1. Make time for self-care
Before staying at home was the new normal, we often found ourselves busy, always on the go. It was difficult to put aside some time to focus on ourselves. Now most of us have the opportunity to design a self-care routine. A self-care routine is essential during difficult times. We are all anxious about what the future holds. It is important to focus on the things that we can control, no matter how trivial.
It could include things like cooking a simple nourishing meal, staying hydrated, or indulging in some hobbies you last did years ago, etc. Even a simple thing such as personal grooming can shift your mood into a positive one. Dress up even if you are just going to sit in the living room. Do small little things that make you happy. They will add up to one good day.
2. Go out into nature
Of course, do not violate social distancing laws in your area. If you have a garden or a yard where you live, that is good enough. Nature has a healing effect. Basking in the sun or walking on the grass barefoot can decrease anxiousness. Go out into nature and breathe fresh air. If you live with loved ones, have a meal outside.
Plan a picnic. If you live alone, just do it anyway. Read a book during your picnic, or listen to some good music. If you read a book or listen to music, pay particular attention to the information you are reading or the lyrics you are listening too. The words we consume impact on how we view life and our mood. Sad songs or sad stories can leave your spirit drowning in sadness.
3. Learn and develop new skills
There are several self-development books that you can indulge yourself in. Social distancing is an opportunity to develop a reading habit. We live in a fast-paced time where it is very important to absorb as much information as possible. Most people have a lot of free time on their hands and it is wise to use the time gaining knowledge that can help you survive life after the pandemic.
Social distancing is also a good time to develop new skills. It can be a life skill or professional skill. Developing new skills can help you cope with life after the pandemic. There are several free courses online that you can enroll into. Learning and developing new skills will also prevent the feeling of stagnation, which can cause anxiety in some people.
4. Do something kind
During this difficult time, there are so many people suffering. We can all use a little kindness. A kind act towards another human being can also make you feel good. You do not have to do anything that puts you at risk. There are several ways you can practice charity.
Even a simple donation will make a difference in helping those in need. Sometimes doing something kind can be as simple as connecting with loved ones. A simple call or a simple text can make someone's day.
5. Meditate
Controlling your thoughts during this time is crucial. It is also a good time to learn how to meditate. There are several videos on the internet that teach how to meditate. There are several benefits you can get from meditation, which will help you develop mental toughness during difficult times. Most importantly, it will help you focus on the positive things around you.
6. Be active
Staying active is good for your physical health and mental health. Engage in physical activities. If you stay with friends or family, this is a good time to play some active games or sports. You can also develop an exercising routine and the best part of it is you have ample time to make it stick. This can also be a good time to connect with loved ones.
7. Visualize your goals
Think about life after the pandemic or life after social distancing. Create a plan of things you want to do and the goals you want to achieve. This helps you focus on the positive and it will remind you that this too shall pass. Think and visualize your goals as often as you can throughout the day. It will motivate you to take whatever action you can right now towards your goal.
8. Practice gratitude.
It is very easy to forget how blessed you are during a time like this. Always remember, no matter how bad you have it, someone has it worse. Make time each day to do a gratitude exercise. This primes your brain to focus on the positive. Keeping a gratitude journal is one way to practice gratitude. Above all, stay safe and make a choice to focus on the positive as often as you can.
