Pandemic Adaptations Worth Holding Onto

While COVID has upended many people’s plans, there are some silver linings to the ways we’ve adapted our lives to adjust to the pandemic. Some of the adaptations are worth holding onto, such as finding ways to be happy at home and incorporating healthy habits, supporting local businesses, and spending more time outdoors.

Simple joys

Before COVID, many of us spent much of our days rushing from one task to the next, barely taking time to sit down for even five minutes of calm. The pandemic has changed that: we’ve all experienced disappointment from losing our social gatherings, travel plans, and entertainment, but we’ve also gained the ability to entertain ourselves at home.

Spending more time at home allowed many people to slow down and pay attention to their bodies without the usual distractions of a pre-COVID lifestyle. Many people started using their kitchens more frequently as restaurants closed, and families suddenly found themselves spending far more time together than ever before. While that can be challenging in some ways, it also has allowed many families to learn how to get along and get better connected to one another.

With so much more time in the house, many have realized the power of having a clean space. House cleaning is especially important during the pandemic, not only to keep your home clean from germs but also to help reduce conflict between family members. A messy or cluttered home can be a major source of negativity for families, so keeping it clean as a regular practice will help promote positivity and reduce friction or conflict between family members.

Supporting small business

Local and small businesses really took a hit from COVID, and many communities made an effort to bolster their local economies by shopping locally where possible. That habit is likely to continue, as people understand the power of spending money locally. Not only does it help improve financial conditions for your neighbors, but it also helps your city maintain its vibrancy and economic success.

Self-care and hobbies

Along with spending more time at home, the need for self-care has emerged as a crucial adaptation during this pandemic. Self-care doesn’t have to be major, but it does have to be consistent: doing yin yoga and practicing meditation are both great options for coping with stress or anxiety, and they’re easy to do at home. As you continue to adapt your lifestyle during the pandemic, self-care will help keep you healthy—mentally and physically.

The pandemic has encouraged people everywhere to pick up new hobbies. Staying home means finding ways to entertain ourselves, whether it’s learning to play a new instrument or baking bread. Whatever hobbies you picked up over the past several months, stick with them to help center yourself and enjoy your quiet time.

Spending time outdoors

One of the safest ways to spend time with friends and family during the pandemic is by getting outdoors. Hiking or walking are great activities to catch up with friends—not only because the risk of transmission is much lower outside, but also because the fresh air and exercise are so healing for stress or anxiety. Make a plan to get outside at least once a week, whether it’s for a quiet hike alone or a catch-up with a close friend.

While you may fiercely miss your pre-COVID lifestyle, it’s important to look at the benefits of the pandemic adaptations you’ve made this year. From spending more time with family to focusing more on your health and wellbeing, the pandemic has helped us all make some positive changes in our lives. Consider keeping the above adaptations in your life, even when pandemic restrictions begin to lift.

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