This year has seen a lot of unsavory things happening in the world. From the start of the year up till now, it seems like it’s been one tragedy after another. We’ve had forest fires, crashed airlines, social unrest, and, of course, the global health crisis we’re currently fighting to stave off.
The coronavirus pandemic has gutted the world in unprecedented ways, and it seems that we’re just getting bad news by the day. It can be very disheartening, and many are coping by doing a social media detox. Sometimes, though, even if you’re not on social media, shelter-in-place orders could mean that you’ll stillhear bad news from family and housemates.
If you find yourself listless and down during these times, here are a few activities you can do to lighten your mood and to keep yourself occupied.
Plan Your Next Vacation
This idea might seem weird to you, but psychologists believe that planning a vacation helps your mental well-being. It helps reduce your stress since the very idea of being able to visualize relaxation has a significant impact on your mentality. While you’re at it, why not choose a place you’ve never been to before? The act of researching the country, figuring out the places to visit and the restaurants to eat at could take up enjoyable hours of your time. And as a bonus, you gain more knowledge about the world around you.
But you don’t have to think about exotic places, either. The U.S. hopes to boost domestic tourism, and you can do your part by planning a trek across different states. The country has many things to offer, and going on a cross-country journey might just be the trip you need to appreciate your surroundings and your diverse culture more.
Go “E-Window Shopping”
We all know about retail therapy, and many of us have probably gone on online shopping sprees during this pandemic. Experts believe that there is nothing wrong with that and that it can make you feel happier when you’re feeling down. Of course, the one thing they do warn you about is not to go over your budget, lest your rack up an overwhelming amount of debt. One way to stay within your means? Go “E-Window Shopping.”
It’s a simple act. Visit your favorite online retailer, browse through their catalog of goods, add everything you want to your cart, and then just log out. At some point, you can revisit your cart and assess which ones you want or need. That is also an excellent way to look at big-ticket items-from homes for saleand the latest gaming consoles and entertainment systems to cars and trucks. You might not have the budget to purchase all of them yet, but researching and “buying” them is a relaxing way to spend your time.
Spruce Up Your Place with a DIY Project
If you feel like doing something more productive, look at DIY home improvement projects you can get into. It can be something small, like repainting your bedroom, or something that needs more work, such as a new headboard. Some hardware stores have online shops you can browse for all the tools and materials you need for your project.
Another good thing about this is that this can be a group or family activity. If it’s just a simple repainting job, you can get even the youngest members of the household involved. It’s certainly a fun way to bond with the members of your home.
Staying home amidst all this uncertainty is the responsible thing to do. But it doesn’t mean your mental health has to take a beating. Try any of these three activities to keep yourself happy and healthy.
