Living during the Covid-19 pandemic

My day started like any other regular day during the Covid-19 pandemic. I woke up and started in on my morning routine, but routine has become so much harder for me to maintain. I think it’s important to reflect on this time in lockdown because it has been such a challenge.

No, let me rephrase that. This time in lockdown has been an entirely new lifestyle change. In many ways, I’m grateful for all the new opportunities to test my resilience, but I admit there have been real lows of depression.

And because I am an optimist at heart, I started to look at all the ideas my family and I have used to try and raise our happiness during this pandemic. I am always learning and open to more, so if you have some ideas to share at the end of this article, please leave them.

There is no shame in being depressed 

Yes, I can hear you listing the compiling factors as to why you might be feeling down. In fact, there is growing research about the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on people around the world.

Please remember that acknowledging sadness, anxiety, and depression in your life is actually a step to healing it.

8 ideas used to feel better during the Covid-19 pandemic

1. Counseling – interestingly enough, it was Michele Obama’s confession of going to counseling that opened me up to even considering it. Previously, I didn’t even think I was worthy of going to counseling – I didn’t truly acknowledge that I might have challenges worth discussing with a counselor. The truth is, Emilio and I started couples counseling and we immediately found relief for the arguments that seemed to be stuck on repeat. We also were given helpful exercises and new language to use for de-escalating our confrontations. If you have ever been in doubt about using a counselor – I highly recommend you engage in a free consultation with one. My journey is continuing with one-on-one counseling and I have found it to be very eye-opening.

2. Hobbies – Can you relate to having creative outlets that you never really found the time to pursue before the lockdowns? I love to play guitar, paint, garden, and go for walks – all of these received far less dedicated time before Covid-19. Now, these hobbies are the things I look forward to in the day and bring me such joy.

3. New Hobbies – Emilio always knew how to juggle with 3 balls, but during the first lockdown he decided to take his skills to the next level using tutorials on Skillshare. He mastered juggling 4 balls and is now on to learn how to do 5! Emilio also gave me a slackline for my birthday this year and this has been a lot of fun to learn.

4. Learning Something New – Is there anything that you’ve been wanting to learn more about or expand your interest in? I am currently completing my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training to complement my Yin Yoga certification from the fall. I am so grateful for the expansion of online learning and the accessibility to explore our interests. And don’t underestimate the learning that comes from the library, there’s no need to enroll in a course when a book from the library will fill that need.

5. Go Carless – you don’t need to sell your vehicles to experience this feeling of freedom. You can choose to have carless days of the week or carless afternoons. All the research says that if we want to feel well we need to exercise every day, so going carless helps knock this task off the list. Depending on your climate and location there are many alternatives for not using the car – walk, ride, bus, train, scooter, etc. If you want to make time for exercise – consider ditching the automobile.

6. Digital Detox – taking a break from notifications and scrolling may sound easy to do, but I challenge you to try it. I slowly quit each social media channel after reading Digital Minimalism. I found it challenging to feel bored, not share what I was doing, and to know how to fill all the extra time accompanied by quitting. Side note: I’m used to quitting bad habits – read about my 10 years of sobriety.

7. Daily Fun – you know what I’m talking about! Good old-fashioned fun. Emilio and I like to do a daily board game. Our favourites include but are in no way limited to cribbage, Patchwork, Azul, Agricola, Jaipur, Monopoly Deal, and Splendor. Your choice of daily fun sounds completely different from ours, but if you struggle with knowing what to do. Try to think back to your childhood – what brought you joy? What made you laugh out loud?

8. Connecting with Self – How can we know how to spend our time if we’re not even sure about how we feel? Energy levels are up and down, so it’s important to check in and plan your days accordingly.

Doing less also works

These 8 offerings to feel better may have led you to feel more overwhelmed. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “Crap… I should be doing this and this and this.” Honestly though, taking a break and just breathing could be exactly what some of us need. The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been a slowdown or stop for many of us. In fact, the opposite has occurred with more childcare, more meals to be made, more workload falling on your plate, more bills mounting up, and fewer support outlets available. If this is the case, take a breath and hug yourself. You deserve a beautiful, long hug.

“When you know what’s important to you, making a decision is quite simple.” Anthony Robbins