The COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly changed the everyday lives of all students at the University of Vermont. Not having the structure of in-person classes can be challenging and even more so when trying to learn a new online format. Some of us are more lucky than others. Living in upstate New York, my hometown of Glens Falls has yet to have a severe outbreak, which allows me and my family to continue outdoor activities at a safe distance from others. However, some of my friends in larger cities are unable to leave their homes as a result of the virus. The feeling of isolation that this pandemic has caused can take a great toll on the mind and body. I’m here to offer some ideas and activities that have helped me stay sane during quarantine.
First, I like to start my day by making my bed. The simple task of making your bed creates a feeling of organization and accomplishment. Former Navy Admiral Seal William H. McCraven believes that making your bed can have a much larger impact on your life than you might think. In a commencement speech at the University of Texas, McCraven told students that making your bed “It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.” Although quarantine doesn’t allow us to be as productive as we may normally be, this small step first thing in the morning makes me feel a little more put together.
Another activity that helps to brighten my day is yoga. I try to do thirty minutes of yoga a few times a week to help destress and relax from the constant chaos of living through a pandemic. It doesn’t have to be in a fancy yoga studio to be effective; a bedroom floor works just fine. Yoga has a laundry list of benefits for the human body and mind including increased flexibility, reduced stress levels, increased blood flow and more. Perhaps the most important benefit for our current situation is yoga’s ability to boost immunity. Through various yoga postures, the lymph begins to drain, helping the lymphatic system fight infection. Take that COVID-19!
If the weather permits I also try to get outside every day. Even if I am just sitting in my backyard reading a book, being outside in nature always improves my mood. It’s no surprise that being outdoors makes us feel better. As humans, we’re hardwired to crave nature. Writer and journalist Johann Hari explores the effects of nature on mental health in his book “Lost Connections.” During his research, Hari followed a woman who had been prescribed social interaction as a way to improve her depression. She was assigned to work with a group of people in similar situations to transfer an area of London into a garden. The group excelled at the project and reconnected with nature. The woman’s mental health greatly improved and she was able to stop taking her antidepressant. Hari’s research reasserted the fact that people who live in greener neighborhoods tend to experience less stress and despair compared to those who don’t.
A new hobby I have picked up to prevent boredom is painting. I am in no way an expert painter or even a decent one at that, but simply seeing the colors melt together on the page is a soothing way to express myself creatively. This is a great quarantine activity because it requires minimal supplies and you can do it practically anywhere in your home or apartment. Painting has been proven to reduce stress levels while also expanding creative growth, so it’s the perfect activity to unwind after reading way too many news articles.
Being cooped up inside can take a big toll on mental health, but there are little things we can do every day to make it a lot more manageable. So, make your bed! Try some yoga! Sit in the sun! Do what makes you feel good and do it proudly.
-Sarah
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