WHAT TO DO AT HOME
By Siya Patel
2020 did not start as well as we all thought it would, and with the beginning of quarantine, sour moods are no surprise. People all around the world have been limited to their homes, stuck between the same four walls for weeks and weeks on end, with the same routine every day. It goes without mention, that this sudden change in our everyday life affected our mindset in a not so positive way. We might be finding ourselves procrastinating more than ever, and in most cases losing motivation to do even the smallest tasks. All of this can be changed though if we just fix one small thing, our mindset. Of course, what better way to do this than to engage in some exciting at-home activities!
One great way to pass your time is to begin learning a new instrument. With hours on hand, you can challenge yourself by trying to take online classes or even teaching yourself. Using popular apps like SimplyPiano, Yousician and Flowkey, as well as Youtube Tutorials, dedicated to teaching the art that is music, you can become a pro in no time at all. Studies have even proven that listening or practicing music can have incredibly positive effects on a person's mindset and emotions. It is said that listening to music creates peak emotions, which in turn raises the dopamine levels in your body. This is not only an effective way to change your mindset but is also one of the healthiest ways to do so.
Another great activity is to start a passion project. This project is basically like a challenge given by yourself to you, that you take on and attempt to complete. Going into it, there may be several things you wish to achieve, ranging from just having some fun to exploring a possible career path. Whatever the case, by starting a passion project you can put your mind towards a task that will keep your mind working faster than ever. Writing a book, starting a garden, launching a podcast or even establishing your organization are all great passion projects and have an extraordinary amount of potential. Having something to do you are passionate about in this hard time will go a long way, especially when it comes to your mental wellness.
It goes without mention that this is also a good time as any to reconnect and strengthen relationships whether it be with new friends or old family. Thanks to the technology that we have today, it is possible for us to use platforms like Skype, Zoom and Facetime in this time of social distancing to talk to loved ones, whether they live down the street or in another city altogether. By doing this, you focus less on the negatives and more on sharing, talking and laughing with the people you care about.
Last but most definitely not least, a great activity to try out would be reading, whether you decide to join a virtual book club or treat it as an individual escape. By reading, you are able to become fully immersed in another world, oftentimes you become fully invested into the storyline, gaining the chance to forget everything going on. This will give you the break you need in this difficult situation and will inspire you to try a little harder. To start off, it is of utmost importance that you identify what type of novels interest you. Ask family and friends for suggestions and then try them out using resources such as the Brampton Library and Goodreads. Who knows what you will find?
These are just some of the countless at-home activities you can indulge in to improve your mindset as efficiently and effectively as possible. Be sure to stay home and stay safe and remember, stay positive!
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