Coronavirus is the new evil in the world that the globe is fighting and it has affected all of us in one way or the other. It is taking a toll on our mental health and wellbeing with all the panic it has caused. We need to be united and responsible now if we want to overcome this crisis. It is the time to fight it and be alert.
Maybe this is our chance to look within and break the chains that bind our happiness. We have been consumed with work, responsibilities, urgencies that take up most of our time and have forgotten to even look at the skies. Maybe, this is the time to do so, to relish the life that we have, the families that we had forgotten and the friends that we had lost touch with. Let’s cherish what we have and let’s be happy and when all of this is over, we will rise stronger.
To break the mundane, I have listed out certain things that you can indulge in if you are self-isolating. Apart from keeping our surroundings clean to washing our hands constantly, here are few more things to keep ourselves busy and sane:
Indulge in reading
Reading has always been one thing on most people’s list that they can’t get to because of their busy schedules. This could be something to catch up now that we all are on lockdown. Reading is the best way to relax and even six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two thirds, according to new research. And it works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea, research found. Here is a list of my 10 favourite books for you:
- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Educated by Tara Westover
- The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
- A thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Husseini
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- The Kite runner by Khaled Husseini
- And the mountains Echoed by Khaled Husseini
- Ikigai, the Japanese secret to long and happy life
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Happy Reading!
Watch Theatre Digitally
Theatre is that window that takes you to a dreamland. We not only lean so much from theatre but we get a new perspective which is much more creative than cinema. Many artists are offering live stream creative sessions and feedback if you wish to learn and know more about the creative arts. If you wish to learn more and be entertained, do check out Digital theatre, Broadway HD, National Theatre Live and your all time favourite YouTube.
Rearrange that cupboard
Yes, guys and girls, I know we all have that cupboard that needs human intervention since months and you have been procrastinating it. Now is your time to take out the clutter and rearrange your wardrobe. Put some music on and keep asking yourself, do you even need that dress or bag and arrange them by priority. It could take you days to clean all those cupboards.
Garden Garden everywhere.
It’s time to get those hands dirty but only for a good reason. I know your garden has been neglected for ages and you have always wanted to be a gardener who enjoys that summer breeze. It keeps you busy and elevates your mood. Studies have found that the mental health benefits of gardening are extensive. Not only can regular gardening reduce mental health problems like depression and anxiety, but it can also reduce stress and combat high blood pressure, as well as improving overall physical fitness. You are already on a path of improving your immunity. But do remember to wash those hands and not touch your face if you have been to the garden.
Do Yoga
Yoga increases body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain, and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centers the nervous system. This is exactly what we need at this hour. So, skip that gym and do Surya Namaskar.
Pamper yourself
Many of us will not be going to a beauty salon for a while but there is nothing we cannot do at home. Give yourself a trim, get rid of the dead ends, wear a hair mask, oil your hair, do your nails, wear masks and just have that hot bubble bath in a tub. Maybe this is the time to look within rather than constantly looking at the screens.
Is it time to learn how to cook?
We have always looked at the cooking shows and hoped that one day we would cook something that would impress everyone around us. Now is the time to explore the chef inside us. YouTube has lots of recipes that are waiting to be tried. Get that apron on and get going. And yes, remember to eat healthy.
Take a Selfie
Connect with your friends and followers and engage more. We will need each other during this time. Now is the time to spend more time with yourself. Clicking a perfect selfie is one easy way to do it.
People who take selfies have more confidence and higher self–esteem. So lets do it! Lets feel good about ourselves and share it with the world. If you like this article, do post a selfie with a title, ‘I will Fight this virus’ and spread love on all the socials.
Be Responsible, keep the virus at bay and wash hands, hurrah!
Fashion & Feminism 