How to escape the coronavirus blues
Pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions have made this past year very taxing. Here are some tips to relax and take your mind off the stressful times.
Take a walk
Taking a brisk walk or even a stroll, surrounded by nature, across fields, around a lake, in the woods, on a mountain path or by a river or the sea is always relaxing. Germans, for instance, are out and about for walks much more than before the pandemic, surveys say.
The world in your living room
With an eye on many an international travel ban, people are impatient to pack their bags and board a plane or ship again. At least virtual trips all over the world are a safe way to travel during COVID-19 — and it's for free! Many websites offer interesting video tours of cities and museums, for example, and you can plan your next trip!
Get moving!
Grab your bike, or run along leafy paths in a city park, learn to juggle or walk on a slackline. If that's not possible, get creative with yoga and Pilates in your living room. Many fitness teachers have uploaded free classes online and even smartphone apps are a good way of exercising and keeping the blues at bay.
Run away to fantasy land
Fancy yourself as a knight on a fantastic adventure? Video games are a great way of destressing and forgetting lockdown-induced boredom. Some even involve building your own world and meeting interesting characters, and even other players on the internet.
Become a bookworm
Tackling the stack of books waiting to be read or listening to podcasts are another surefire way to relax, as are puzzles and word games. Many people have more free time during the pandemic, perhaps because they work shorter hours, no longer commute or simply can't indulge in other leisure activities because they are banned or shut down.
Clean out and declutter
Take a leaf out of Marie Kondo's book! The decluttering queen inspired many of us to tidy up and throw away needless stuff. Who doesn’t have too many clothes or other things stuffed messily away in boxes or closets, or shelf upon shelf of unread books? Organizing and de-cluttering your home is calming.
Cook a meal
Give takeaway a break — cooking demos, classes and in-person group cooking are all the rage. Preparing a meal, perhaps trying a new recipe, with family or friends or all by yourself, can be a great way to relieve anxiety or stress — and the best part is, you get to enjoy the results afterwards.
Go green
Whether you have a green thumb or not, digging in soil, planting and tending to flowers, herbs or veggies in your yard or even a planter on your balcony is relaxing, relieves stress and is a rewarding hobby to boot. Even mowing the lawn can be meditative.
Take time off and meditate
Meditation is a great way of relaxing if your mind simply refuses to calm down. There are loads of free meditation videos for beginners on the internet and many smartphone apps too provide helpful introductions into the practice.