This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter.
As many of us have been encouraged to return to our homes to finish school or work as a result of the global pandemic known as COVID-19, we’ve also been forced to adjust to a new routine in our everyday lives. For myself and many others, this new routine has made it difficult to maintain our physical and mental health. However, it’s important now more than ever that we take the time to evaluate and make adjustments to improve our mental health. Over the past week, I’ve tried out several at home activities to boost my own mental health that I’m now recommending to all of you.
Celina Timmerman / Her Campus
1. Go For a Walk
The first thing I’ve been doing everyday while at home for the semester is take a walk outside with my dog. Although this activity may seem to go against the stay-at-home order many of us are now under, it’s still important to get outside and be active for 30 or more minutes every day. Not only do these daily walks encourage us to get outside for some fresh air, but they also give us an opportunity to clear our minds and prepare for the day ahead.
Another way to improve your mental health while at home may include adopting a creative hobby such as coloring or doodling. Not only has coloring been shown to decrease stress in children, but also in adults. While at home, I’ve often found myself needing a break from the monotony of homework and online lectures. During these breaks, I’ve found it helpful to doodle on a random notepad or in an adult coloring book while watching Netflix or listening to music. Performing a mindless task like coloring can also help you move past the writer’s block that was preventing you from finishing the last paragraph of that essay you were trying to submit.
Although not necessarily the first thing we consider doing when enclosed in our house for the majority of the day, taking a break from social media has many mental health benefits. The act of silencing our phones from receiving notifications from social media and other news outlets, that are often negative, gives us the opportunity to focus on the positives in our lives especially during this time of immense uncertainty. When you would normally be scrolling through your feed, instead try checking in with an elderly family member over FaceTime or taking that walk with your dog.
Right now it may seem like there’s no end to this new normal we’re being forced to live. However, the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in may also serve as a blessing in disguise and the time we all need to reestablish our mental health and remember what truly matters in the world to each and every one of us.
Senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying Behavioral Neuroscience and German. Born to cuddle my Siberian Husky, drink cold brew, and watch sports all day.
