Due to the recent COVID-19 global pandemic, according to UNESCO, 80% of all students in the whole world cannot attend in person classes, because of the closure of colleges and schools.
Being caught off guard by a situation that changes your routine might be uncomfortable and scary. But, there are some advantages of having more time at home. Here is a list of five hobbies you can try out, their several benefits and how it is possible to start practicing them!
- Cooking
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Since many of us have to stay home because of social isolation, cooking your own meals is not just a hobby, but also a necessity. Fortunately, deliveries are an option nowadays, but most of us can hardly afford ordering food from restaurants several times a week. Therefore, if you are that person who justifies that being out most of the day is the reason you cannot eat healthier, now the kitchen is finally accessible!
In case you are a beginner in the art of cooking, ask for other people who live with you if you may watch how they prepare the food or go ahead and ask them to teach you how to do it, they will probably be glad you want to be helpful.
And if, otherwise, you live alone and want to improve your cooking skills, there are some channels on Youtube that teach slightly more complex recipes and some different desserts. Check them out!
- Reading books
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Lately, there has been a bunch of news and information, many of them being negative and this tends to make us more anxious than usual. Reading a book is a good option to keep your mind distracted from what is happening outside, in the real world, and has lots of benefits for the brain.
First of all, reading helps your brain work better, it’s like gymnastics for your mind! A search from Emory University, in the U.S.A., shows that it increases neural connections because reading affects our brain as if we really experienced the events we read about. Of course, having a more trained mind is advantageous in all occupations.
Moreover, building the habit of reading, while you are young, will make you thank your younger self in the future. American studies have proven that reduction in brain function, in old age, can be reduced by about 30% for those who have cultivated this routine. Reading helps to protect you from diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Yoga
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Originally from India, yoga is a millennial practice, which is known for lining up body, mind and spirit. It is probably one of the most complete exercises: besides toning muscles and improving body flexibility, its main goal is to cease the flow of thoughts and, consequently, ease both mind and body. As you introduce this activity in your routine, you will start to increase your body consciousness and controlling more your own mind, leading to the whole organism working in a more harmonic and balanced way.
In despite of what common sense says, yoga is not just a relaxing activity. Physically, practicing yoga stretches out every muscle in the body, because different positions are explored in each session. Over time, its postures promotes resistance and strengthening of muscle mass. It also improves your performance in physical activities and daily tasks.
To begin, all you need is a mat and if you do not have one at home, you can use a towel or blanket to cover the floor. After that, search for tutorials on the internet – or even apps! – and get to work. But, don’t forget to be careful!
- Playing cards or board games!
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Board and card games have become more popular since many people are under quarantine. In case you live with relatives or friends, they are a good possibility to entertain everyone during spare time, especially for children! So, look for them in your old wardrobes at home, maybe they were forgotten but could be useful for these days.
According to Brazilian studies, besides helping to develop logical reasoning — an important skill in every area of knowledge —, it enables to have fun in a healthy dispute environment. Most of these games demand abilities of strategy and bluffing, in addition to players frequently having to count on luck. For the kids, they are particularly important, since they contribute to exercise creativity, test general knowledge and develop cooperation and respect for others.
- Dancing
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Dancing is a huge ally of health, self-esteem and well-being. It may be considered a hobby, physical activity or interaction activity when practiced in pairs or groups. Like yoga, it works with your entire body and being distracted with the song lyrics and melody is a great escape from reality, which is the reason why it is relaxing and therapeutic.
As every other physical exercise, dancing produces serotonin and endorphin, substances linked to the sensation of relief that help for a better sleep and mood. It also ripens learning and discipline, apart from raising self-esteem, rhythm consciousness, agility and motor coordination.
Moreover, there are a lot of health benefits that will help you stay active even at home, such as: strengthen muscles and bones, increasing respiratory and heart rates and preventing diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle.
At last, the good news is it only takes a little bit of space and willingness to become a dancer – for fun. Now that many of us have more free time to spend, all you have to do is select a playlist of your favorite songs — it is better to select the ones that match your dancing style the most — and have fun!
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This text was edited by Amanda Oestreich.
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