Although there is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has brought with it great challenges and uncertainty, many individuals have been able to see a silver lining in the situation. With the slower pace life, lots of us have developed positive new habits, which have been extremely beneficial for both our mental and physical health.
So, what are some of the rituals that have been working well for us – and why should they stay?
Trying new healthy recipes
With the absence of restaurants and local cafes, individuals have been turning to their cook books to try new recipes – with one in five Brits even stating that they have reduced their meat consumption during the pandemic. Cooking from scratch has been particularly great for those who have made it their mission to adopt healthier ways during lockdown, as they have been able to have control over what goes in their meals. Adding plenty of fruit and vegetables to meals and snacks has also guaranteed that we get our essential vitamins and minerals in.
Getting out for regular walks
Ever since a large majority of the population has been working from home, we have had to try very hard to ensure that we don’t sit at our laptops all day without a break. A great way of stretching the legs has been to get up and out for regular walks – whether that’s a stroll around the block at lunchtime, or a 5km power walk after work. Natural light has many benefits for human health, so it’s essential this habit continues into the future.
Checking in on your friends
Lots of individuals have struggled during the lockdown period. Some have lost jobs, some have been stuck indoors alone, and some have had to juggle working full time with childcare. Thanks to the likes of FaceTime and Zoom, we have all been great at regularly checking in our friends and asking for an update as to how they’re feeling. Just because lockdown rules may be easing, it doesn’t mean that our friends are any less stressed, so it’s vital to ensure that we’re still all making time for those phone calls or messages.
Making time for yourself
Checking in on yourself is just as important as checking in on your loved ones. Have you been feeling particularly anxious during this period? If so, how have you been looking after yourself? During the pandemic, many of us have turned to free resources online, such as yoga, meditation or exercise classes on YouTube. As time goes on, you must make sure you continue to take this time out for yourself: spend 15 minutes in your bedroom listening to your favourite music, hop on a train with Grand Central Rail to explore the forest in the next town, or cook up a storm in your kitchen. No matter what it is that helps you to feel relaxed, continue to pencil in some ‘me’ time in your diary.
