Positivity in the Pandemic
Two words I’d never thought I’d see side by side in 2020: “positivity” and “pandemic.” Yet, here we are, shifting to a new way of life for the time being and trying to process what’s going on around us. Sitting at home all day while social distancing in the time of COVID-19 can get monotonous quickly, and it’s important to keep up morale so everyone can get through this together. However gloomy things may seem, research has found that practicing positivity counteracts stress (which has consequences such as changed eating patterns or poor sleep quality), boosts productivity, and builds resilience in difficult situations. There are plenty of ways to stay positive during this era, and here are some of my favorites:
1 - Exercise to boost your endorphins.
Endorphins are the chemicals that provide positive feelings to your mind, and they’re released by the brain during exercise. While most gyms are shut down, that doesn’t mean your endorphins should be! Once you get to working out from home, your body and mind will thank you. Plenty of gyms, including Barry’s, have made online classes accessible via social media, so get on Instagram and roll out your yoga mat to feel a bit better during your break.
2 - Practice healthy habits.
In an EU study, the most commonly cited reason for not eating healthy was a lack of time. Now, it seems like there’s too much! What better way to spend this newfound time than by building habits such as eating healthy, hydrating regularly, reading, or practicing gratitude? There are plenty of meal kit delivery services to jumpstart healthy eating, our friends at JUST Water have you covered with hydration, most local libraries offer free eBooks, and you can start practicing gratitude in this moment with a quick meditation. Building these habits will give you a sense of accomplishment and carry over into your positive, post-quarantine life as well.
3 - Take some time to de-stress.
While there’s a lot of conversation around staying productive among the distractions at home, it’s important to keep balance in your life. Taking breaks throughout the day to de-stress can not only make you feel happier, but may also lead to an increase in productivity. Use your idle moments to do something that makes you feel less stressed, like watching an inspirational speech, catching up on some (now free!) TV, or listening to that new music you’ve been wanting to get around to.
4 - Try new things.
Nobody knows how much longer we’ll be at home, but that may not be a bad thing. Maybe you’ve been wanting to try a new hairstyle but have been afraid to debut it at work, or possibly you’ve wanted to start a garden (like we do here at EMA) but never figured out how to get it growing. Now is the perfect time to try something new because even if it doesn’t work out nobody has to know, and you’ll feel good that you gave it your best shot!
5 - Do some spring cleaning.
It’s also really important to keep things clean and disinfected during the pandemic, and doing so can be surprisingly cathartic. Cleaning can cause a 27% reduction in nervousness along with a 25% improvement in mental inspiration, according to one study. Clutter can be a source of unnecessary stress, but now’s the time to get it out of the way. Of course, be sure to use environmentally safe cleaners, such as these products by ECOS.
Our team at the Environmental Media Association wishes you health and positivity during this time.