The pandemic has hit us hard, some more than others. Here are some simple things you can do to help bring back some normalcy to your life.
It’s been a strange couple of months. It’s safe to say it’ll be a strange rest of the year, with most of us making accommodations and adapting to this new era. Still, it wouldn’t hurt if, throughout this process of adaptation, we could enjoy the little things that we used to. Here are some some things you can do to feel normal.
Even if there’s no way of going back and enjoying a packed concert or a screening in a movie theater anytime soon, there are a lot of factors that make up our everyday lives that we can utilize to help us adjust to these wacky days.
Stay active
Whether you were active or not before the pandemic, this is a good time to move around. You probably don’t need to hear this, but exercise is a great way to release endorphins and make yourself feel good. One of the few good things about the pandemic is the influx of free time. Use it to your advantage.
Work on your coffee technique
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If you’re someone who used to enjoy coffee from your favorite coffee shop every morning on your way to work, try working on your coffee technique at home, adding elements that you think you’d enjoy, such as a dash of cinnamon, syrup or ice, and purchasing soy or coconut milk, if that’s what you used to do. It’s not that hard to make your own lattes or iced coffees at home. Here are 11 coffee hacks that will make your mornings better.
Plan stuff
If you’re having a hard time looking forward to things, it might help to use a planner and start putting in everything that brings you some joy. For the short term, add in Zoom happy hours with friends, new shows on Netflix, or even a long walk you have planned. For post-pandemic planning, think about trips with friends and family. Daydream about the future and remind yourself that this isn’t the end of the world; you’ll get the opportunity to go back to regular programming at some point.
Prepare mealsÂ
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It’s likely many of us have cooking fatigue. Sure, cooking is fun and all, but not having a few nights out to break up the monotony has taken a toll. To try and get yourself out of a slump, purchase a new cookbook or find some YouTube cooking channels you love and start playing around with recipes. If you live with roommates or family, this is also a nice way of spending time together and bonding, preferably discussing other things aside from the pandemic. Drinking a bottle of wine during the process might also help.
Identify the silver linings
The pandemic has created a whole new set of issues that we could have never imagined, while highlighting some of the most pressing problems in the world. It’s overwhelming, but it’s also forced us to acknowledge the important aspects of our lives. Be grateful, even when it seems like you have nothing to be grateful for. Get into the habit of writing down what you’ve been blessed with every day, even if it’s just connecting with a friend, your morning cup of coffee, or finding a bottle of hand sanitizer at your local grocery store. Like all things, this moment will pass.
If you are stressed, may these things you can do to feel normal help.
