Every day, we confront a less friendly world. Although the lockdown was necessary, it made things worse. Not only were we emotionally distant. We became physically isolated.
Yet, we see hope as we hear celebrities share their struggles about the lockdown. Listening to their tales makes us realize that we are not alone in our grief. They often end their stories with a word of encouragement.
Seeing that we are not alone should boost our spirits. It should inspire us to work on our mental health. This task is a bit daunting. But with guidance, we will get through this.
Manual Labor
We have to recognize the importance of social media. It has helped us connect with our loved ones during the lockdown. But at the same time, we must also see its negative impacts. In an article published a few years ago, BBC enumerated the adverse effects of social media.
With this in mind, let us limit our screentime. Being offline once in a while has a positive impact on our life. Why not engage in DIY projects? With so much time in our hands, it is an excellent time to redecorate your living room. Or perhaps, you can replace your current fence with composite fencing.
Several years ago, a few people underwent art therapy. They were subjects of a study that test if clay work can help ease negative emotions. Scientists explained that those who were part of the study gained some sense of accomplishment.
When people engage in crafts or home renovation, their brains release dopamine. Scientists stated that this naturally occurring compound is associated with happiness. They further noted that depressed people lack this chemical. But when they work on something rewarding, their dopamine increases. Thus, they feel happier.
If this is the case, why not indulge in such tasks? You can even ask your little ones to join you. It will not only stave cabin fever away. But it can be a fun activity for the entire family.
Yoga
The government published an article stating that kids also suffer depression. Their finding added to the things that make parents anxious. It might manifest in your child’s change in sleeping patterns. Your kid might also have a hard time concentrating.
If you noticed any of these in your children, you might seek out professional help. But if you have not, you might want to incorporate yoga into your daily routine. This exercise regimen can prevent depression and other anxiety disorders.
Yoga will not only do that. It will establish a healthy lifestyle for your kids. It is also an excellent way to divert their attention from their devices. Best of all, yoga can help them concentrate better. Let us discuss some kid-friendly yoga positions:
- Mountain Pose — This position is an excellent way to start yoga because you merely want your kids to calm down. They will stand and focus on their breathing. As they do this, they concentrate on the present time.
- Downward-Facing Dog — This position is a kid favorite because they often do this without thinking that this is yoga. Kids get a kick out of this because they get to see the world from a different perspective.
- Cobra Pose — Kids often like yoga poses named after animals. Why not try this one? It will strengthen their back and increase their flexibility.
- Cat Pose — It is another position named after an animal. This pose relieves back pain after playing with their gadgets the entire day.
Connection
Before the end of 2020, the government pointed out a spike in the use of digital technology. Their finding is hardly surprising because people stayed at home. This article also indicated the adverse effects of over-reliance on technology. Although we are aware of some of these issues, we continue to immerse ourselves in our gadgets.
Instead of doing that, why not play board games? Families in the past often indulge in these fun pursuits, so why not try it yourself? If you and your better half are the only ones playing, you can spice things up a bit with an adult version of chess.
If you want wholesome fun for the entire family, you can play scrabble. This game is a great way to improve your children’s vocabulary. You can also try Pictionary.
The pandemic caused so much pain. Not only are we reeling from the deaths, but it also brought financial struggles. Let us not lose hope. The World Health Organization also reports the number of vaccines given. It is indeed the light at the end of the tunnel.
Let us continue to hang on. We are the lucky ones who made it through alive. We must embrace life and live it to the fullest.
