In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we’ve all now lived through a variety of significant life changes that are here to stay. The introduction of social distancing into our daily lives didn’t only affect how we socialize, but it has changed the way we work, eat, learn, watch sports, celebrate, stay connected, and more.
These adjustments may not be temporary. Many critical changes have been introduced into our lives, and it’s a lot to manage. If you’re struggling to keep your chin up, The Good Mental offers a few resources and tips to help.
New Work Challenges
One critical adjustment nearly everyone has had to face is new, unexpected work challenges. COVID-19 has affected each of our jobs in different ways, but one thing is certain: We’ve all been affected together.
From business owners who lost large profits to employees being forced to work from home, worldwide lockdowns have created countless corporate world adjustments. Some of these changes might be enormously challenging, as working closely with partners or team members can be difficult through a virtual platform or computer screen. Still, the required shakeup offers everyone a chance to do things differently and possibly improve outdated procedures for a better future.
Working from home has saved many individuals the time spent commuting to and from work. Despite the challenge of balancing a career and parenting remote learning children, this could ultimately be a positive. UC Health points out that you’ll inevitably be spending more time with your children or partner and maybe even have more reasons to connect with friends and family far away — all of which offers unexpected opportunities for a shared connection.
If you’ve faced work challenges, this time can also be an opportunity to make a career change. For example, if the pandemic has inspired you to help your community, perhaps you’d like to become a teacher. With an online program, you can earn a degree in elementary teacher education or early childhood education and have the flexibility to continue working your current job.
Staying Healthy and Active
If being cooped up at home has given you extra free time, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve binge-watched tv shows, been glued to the news, incorporated healthy habits, or somewhere in between, it’s okay. We all cope differently, and sometimes self-care looks like a couch, a television, and a tub of ice cream.
Regardless, it’s essential to look after ourselves. Physical exercise has become more accessible thanks to HIIT, and yoga videos available on YouTube. You can ease yourself into this routine by following gentle morning stretching videos or meditation. Morning walks and jogging can also be easily implemented into your day, as well as spending more time outdoors hiking or exploring new sides of your neighborhood.
Creating a Peaceful Home
Working from home may have felt like a welcome convenience at first. The pandemic may have eliminated the need to wake up early and waste hours of your life in traffic, or introduced the added bonus of joining conference calls in your pajama bottoms. However, not all of us function at our best this way. Once laziness kicks in, many of us begin to see the importance of having a dedicated workspace.
What’s equally important is having a home that fosters positivity. However, this could be challenging during the pandemic due to excess clutter or built-up tension from familial dynamics. We may not change our world in one fell swoop, but we can gradually implement changes at home. A great start is opening windows and making sure that your home is clean, has minimal clutter, and has a healthy dose of fresh air and sunshine.
In Closing
The last year and a half has introduced plenty of adversity into our lives, but TechCrunch suggests that maintaining an attitude of adaptability is critical to preserving our sanity. If you’ve been having a tough time, you’re not alone. COVID-19 has forced many of us to think outside the box and adapt to significant life changes and make crucial decisions. Staying positive is difficult, but adjusting and rolling with the punches will help us thrive in the face of uncertainty and make the best out of things.
# Photo by Diva Plavalaguna from Pexels
