We are now facing the biggest health crisis in a generation and it’s toll on people goes far beyond the physical. Remaining employed, finding employment and even going on with day-to-day living starts becoming a bit of a struggle. What we want to avoid is to start feeling anxious, trapped and lonely during this circuit breaker period. Hence, it’s all the more important that we focus on self care and our own mental well-being. Tips on self care starts with staying active and keeping our minds engaged during our time at home. Here are just a couple of ideas for you to consider. Give one or two of them a try and you might just have stumbled upon a new hobby.
Having P.E lesson at home
We all knew this was gonna be part of the article so let’s get it out of the way first, shall we? Being cooped up at home for a prolonged period of time will only add to the restlessness we already feel. Exercising at home on a regular basis can add a bit of structure to your week. Fitness Blender is a hassle-free option you can consider or if you’re looking for some human interaction on your fitness journey, WeBarre’s virtual classes are a great way to stay active! Alternatively, you can subscribe to Youtube channels such as Pamela Reif, MadFit or Emi Wong. Their workout videos are great fun, especially if you do it together with your friends or family!
Find some inner peace with a bit of yoga
Amidst the current chaos the world is in, we’d want to do our best to not have that chaos be replicated in our minds. For many of us, this circuit breaker period has led to sacrifices as well as challenges. It’s only normal that stress levels increase, leading to higher chances of worries and anxieties creeping in. Yoga can provide a retreat from all the chaos we are experiencing – both externally and internally. Studies have also shown that practicing yoga regularly results in higher serotonin levels and we could all use a bit of serotonin overdose. Give a couple of yoga channels a try and see which fits you best. Here are some of our recommendations – Yoga With Adriene, SarahBethYoga and Nithya Priyan School of Yoga.
Get some sunshine and recharge
Being out in the sun can do wonders for the mind. Have a quick jog and surround yourself with some greenery every now and then. Of course, remember to be socially responsible. After all, this is about self care and your own personal well-being. That means no congregating with your friends! We can all look forward to that once everything settles down. Also, there’s no need to travel across the country to go to your favourite exercise spot. Stay within your neighbourhood and keep a safe distance from others.
Pick a new series to watch
Ah, good old Netflix. Where would we all be without you? With everyone spending more time indoors, Netflix has become a go-to solution whenever we’re bored or feeling restless. From “to Netflix or not to Netflix?”, the question has now become “what should I Netflix?” Instead of watching Modern Family for the fifteenth time, maybe it’s time to pick up a new series (psst try Stranger Things or Orange in The New Black). If you’re in need of a break from Netflix, watch some local plays instead – we recommend Wild Rice and Pangdemonium. They constantly update their social media accounts with links to their productions, so do keep a lookout!
Keep socially connected to your loved ones
This applies to both your loved ones within the house, and those you’ve not seen for awhile now. As many of us have found out, Houseparty video chats with friends can turn fun game nights to deep HTHT talks. If you want to decrease screen time and spend some quality time with the family, it’s time to clear out that store room. Somewhere in there is a Monopoly/Scrabble/Risk/Clue which you bought all those years ago but have yet to play. Gather the family together (that won’t be hard given we’re all stuck at home) and that’s your family game night sorted!
Play around in the kitchen
Whipping up a meal for the family or baking sweet treats from scratch can surprisingly turn out to be a rather cathartic experience. Much like exercising at home, cooking and baking have become a staple activity for many during the circuit breaker period. At least, that’s what it looks like, based on all the social media posts! Don’t be discouraged though, no one is expecting Michelin starred meals. Just because the world is obsessed with Dalgona coffee right now doesn’t mean you have to jump on the bandwagon too. Choose whichever cuisine or dish that tickles your fancy, head online for some recipes and get started!
Head back to school – virtually of course!
Picking up a new skill involves an investment on your part – it could be time, effort, and literal investments in terms of finances. Chances are that your calendar isn’t exactly filled to the brim these days. You might just have some time to add in new activities to your day, that’s why you’re reading this article, right? In that case, you can consider taking up free online classes. Yes, the keyword here is free. All that’s left is for you to put the effort in! You can pick up new skills like animation, improve your SEO skill set, or head over to NTUC LearningHub for over 100 free courses. Find one that piques your interests and give that a go.
Grab yourself a book
Remember all those years back in school when we were forced to read on a daily basis during morning assembly. If there’s ever a time to restart that habit again, it’s probably now. Reading can provide solace to us during this tough period. It can help our minds wander and escape, even if it’s temporary. Scribd has the world’s largest digital library, and also a 30 day free trial. Chances are that you’d be able to find most of the books on your to-read list here. Just download and read them off your digital devices. You can also check out Storytel – they’ve got a 14-day free trial – and decide for yourself which is the best book experience for you! If you still prefer the physical touch of a book, there are a number of local bookstores which deliver to your doorstep – The Moon, BooksActually and Epigram Books.
Engage in a little bit of retail therapy
Retail therapy can be loosely defined as a short-lived habit of shopping in order to make oneself feel more cheerful. Unfortunately, shopping options are greatly limited due to the current circuit breaker measures. So, we’ll have to limit our retail therapy to food. Dining out is no longer possible these days, which means that having food delivered to our doorsteps has become a bit of a norm. As we all know, the F&B scene has been greatly affected by this pandemic. Every once in a while, when you feel like treating the family, order some grub online. It could be a full meal, some dessert or a care package for your loved ones. Getting gift cards for future use is also a great way to support local businesses! We’d all want to have places to go back to once everything returns to some sort of normal.
Self care and mental well-being
At the end of the day, the key to self care and mental well-being is to find a routine that’s right for you. Hobbies will slowly turn into chores when you start feeling obligated to continue doing them. Do your best to find home activities that bring you joy and keep the mind engaged. Keeping calm amidst a global crisis can be a struggle – and a daily one at that. As much as it’s important to be kind to others, let’s not forget to be kind to ourselves too. Your inner battles are invisible to many. So, do your best to share your inner thoughts with those you trust. There is no need to go through this pandemic alone. If you are struggling to cope mentally with this current pandemic, here are some helplines for you to get the help that you may need.
We, at Delegate, have started an initiative to support vulnerable individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 situation. During this circuit breaker period, for every package purchased on Delegate, SGD1 will go to The Courage Fund by National Council of Social Service (NCSS). Do feel free to spread the word and support this cause!
Another initiative we’ve started involves the wedding industry. This global pandemic we are in has brought a host of challenges to everyone involved in said industry. From brides-to-be to wedding vendors, these are unprecedented times. We want to be part of the solution and that is why we started this Facebook group – Save Wedding Vendors. We aim to build a community of helpful vendors and members. You can post your queries, ask for recommendations and share promotions or reviews as well.
