4 Ways to Maintain Good Pandemic Habits
While the coronavirus pandemic has certainly caused many tragedies and uncertainties over the past year, there have been some silver linings attached to it. Quarantine specifically, while it was filled with paranoia and great change, offered us more time alone with ourselves and our household to learn more about one another.
Here are a few things that, while they may hold greater importance during the (still very much present) pandemic, they are also beneficial to focus on in the future as well.
1. Prioritize your health
Far too often, especially in our country, we tend to push through many of our health obstacles -- especially when it comes to working when we are sick. This pandemic has certainly shown us the importance of maintaining and prioritizing our own health and the health of our loved ones. In the future, that might mean taking an extra sick day or opting out of a social event.
2. Make an effort to learn new things
During quarantine, many of us had extra free time which we used to adopt new hobbies or learn new recipes. While it certainly did fit the times, this is a fantastic phenomenon that can manifest as a future habit, even as the state of the pandemic gets better.
3.Recognize when it's time to slow down
While the pandemic certainly caused shutdowns of numerous businesses and caused many others to have to restructure themselves entirely, most institutions implemented a focus on mental health. While mental health was certainly a focal point due to the massive changes and tragedies with the pandemic, it is also an essential topic outside of that and should be a repetitive habit even after the pandemic is over.
4. Take time for yourself
Lastly, and possibly the most important is to continue to prioritize your alone time and make sure to allot specific times throughout the day where you can be by yourself. Whether it is for a short walk, to clean your room, listen to music, or simply just 20 minutes of silence, taking that time to yourself is extremely crucial--pandemic or not.
original article posted to her campus ohio university
cover image from her campus media
