There was once an inspirational quote I saw on Pinterest that read, "Find three hobbies you love: One to make you money. One to keep you in shape. One to be creative." It spoke to me and you best believe I was #Inspired..
But how can you achieve this power trifecta the midst of an apocalyptic pandemic? Well I have scoured the internet for the best points other people have further researched, to bring you my list:
Mental health:
• Have a routine. (as much as you can) We know how important routine is,and many people are working from home or told to stay at home, it might feel like all bets are off. But it’s actually much better for everyone’s mental health to try to keep a routine going, as much as possible. Set timers/alarms on your phone to keep you on track!
• Declutter your home. Nesting can be a good way to feel productive and in control. Take the opportunity of the extra time by decluttering, cleaning or organizing your home. Clean out your closet and start a donation pile! Re-arrange the furniture so things seem fresh! Check out Marie Kondo on Youtube or Netflix. She has some great pointers!
• Meditate, or just breathe. Meditation has lots of research behind it. It’s been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.There are heaps of free courses online to get your hands on! But for those of us who find it hard to stop completely, try alternative means to create that relaxation. Read a book instead of watching a movie. Have a bath instead of a shower. Listen to Music as you fulfil household tasks.
• Crafts and creativity. Every person is a creative in their own way. Use this time to dedicate to your drawing, writing, music, mechanics or woodwork. Think of that passion you have, when was the last time you set a moment aside to indulge in that creativity? As an adult it feels like this often get put on the back-burner. It's time to make something beautiful! Head to Pinterest for some Inspiration!
Money Money Money:
• Do online Surveys. There are tonnes of online survey platforms that want your valued opinion in exchange for a few bucks. Depending on the site they may give you actual $$ or online credit redeemable for things such as, Grocery shops and Hardware stores. And hey, twenty bucks is twenty bucks!
• Sell some things. Depending on your location, it may be called Craigslist, Gumtree or good old Facebook marketplace, whatever the title we all have that website for local used goods. After you have Marie-Kondo'd your house you may have some decent stuff that you could sell online for some extra dollars. Or a second hand phone that you could re-set and re-sell. Maybe you're not really using that fitbit to its full potential.. If you live in a city you can also rent your parking space or gym equipment.. have a look around and get creative with it!
• Your services. You can offer your physical services on apps such as Airtasker. Maybe an old lady needs you to put together her ikea furniture? (Bless.) Maybe Someone wants you to do their grocery shopping for them? Help do yard-work in the garden? Sign up to all the platforms and see what you can do. I would also recommend taking advantage of current trends. With the oscillation in place, food delivery services have been more under the pump than ever. If you've got a car, moped or even bike - you can do it!
Workin' on your Fitness:
• Improvise, Adapt, Overcome. No matter what your skill level or ability. Youtube has you covered. From Yoga to Bodyweight exercises, there's a social media influencer out there to give you free advice. If you usually get to the gym but cannot, try using household items as weights, like a brick from the garden, or a small child (if available). Outside of that there's tonnes of fun things to try, just dust off those old hoola-hoops from the shed, kick the soccer ball around or jump some rope!
• Eat well. You don't have to follow a particular diet, just avoid processed foods as they tend to be high in sugar. Learn some new recipes online and use this time to perfect them. Eating healthy can also be hella delicious! The best foods for our mental health are generally the healthiest foods. Complex carbohydrates, found in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, provide important nourishment for our brains as they slowly release energy, which also stabilizes our moods.
• Sleeping Soundly. I think something we can all agree on is that we don't get enough sleep. Our busy lives can often cause us to live in a consistent state of tiredness. Sleep is essential for our bodies to repair cells, clear toxins, consolidate our memories and process information. Just like our schedules for eating, working and exercising, it's important to sustain a regular sleep routine. Put down your phone half an hour before you want to sleep, and eliminate distractions like movies and games. It's helpful to reduce your exposure to screens in the evening as the effect of the blue light on our retinas can disrupt our sleep quality.
