7 Ways to Reenergize After Five Months of a COVID Lifestyle
It is hard to believe but as of this publishing, we will have been living the realities of a COVID-19 lifestyle for nearly five months. I think everyone can attest to the challenges, stress, and even frustrations that have come from this event. Travel is ill-advised, and remaining cautious about who you see, when you see them, and where you can go at one time are all part of life as we know it right now. That is a weight no one has ever experienced in this lifetime. Finding ways to regain some energy and excitement is a necessary part of looking ahead and, well, staying sane. Here are some ideas I have tried or thought might be a good way to reenergize as we move through the remaining summer weeks.
Watch a favorite uplifting movie marathon
I am sure some people are starting to grow weary of Netflix, Disney, or any other streaming service. Binge-watching can only last for so long - right? However, dig through the vault of old DVDs or look up popular movies from your high school years and seek something out that brings back fond memories and fun. Pick several of them and make a movie-watching event out of them. This might be a great way to reach out to a friend - synch up the streaming service and connect via Zoom or FaceTime and watch the movie ‘together’. Don’t forget the popcorn.
Listen to a favorite music album - undistracted.
When was the last time you sat down, put on your earphones, air pods, or Beats and just listened to some of your favorite songs or albums? Similar to the movie idea above, pick an album from your childhood that you remember loving to listen to. Then just sit quietly and enjoy the sounds, the memories, the fun from the past. Do nothing else. This might be a great activity to do by the pool, in the yard, or at the park. Let yourself just enjoy the music and the free moments.
Get outside and have fun in the warm weather
It is amazing to me how much energy can come from just a few moments being outside and in the sun. This is actually a big challenge for me. It is too easy for me to get caught behind my desk at home all day, work on the computer, or talk on the phone and realize that I never left the house (even to go into the yard). On more than one occasion I have realized this after a couple of days of it. Yikes. Don’t let that happen to you. Even if that means adding it to your calendar to have a meeting outside, even if it’s with yourself. Just a quick stroll to the mailbox, around your back yard, or in the neighborhood will make a big difference in energy levels and your mood.
Don't forget the weekends (yes, that is a reminder to myself also). Set aside time to not have anything on your plate for several hours and just be frivolous doing something fun outdoors.
Recall something that made you smile when you were a kid and recreate that now
This makes me smile just thinking about it. When was the last time you let yourself be a kid again? I am sure everyone has some things they did that were just a blast when they were younger. Playing video games - fun simple ones, not the involved, heavily story-driven ones of today. Pac-Man doesn’t take a lot of thought and who doesn't grin just a little when you think of the little yellow guy zipping along the screen to the "wokka, wokka, wokka" soundtrack? How about flying a kite? Have a remote control car to spin around in the driveway? Maybe you were into science - it was always fun to mix some things together and see what happened (I feel obligated to remind everyone about safety here - I, on more than one occasion, got myself into a little trouble with this one - especially in sixth grade. Chlorine and muriatic acid are a very bad combination.) Even if you can’t recreate it, allow yourself some time to think about what it was like then.
Plan a trip for 2021
It may seem unthinkable to plan travel now, especially for next year, but start gathering ideas, work with your family to decide options on where to go, how long, you'll go for. Build out an entire plan for this over a few days or even weeks. Make the planning for this trip an EVENT in itself. Not only will the planning be fun, but it will give you something to look forward to when you're done. Dates can always change in the future, but you'll have everything ready to go for when you're ready to go.
Start a new major exercise goal
For some people, this is really a COVID-20 or 25 (pounds that is) event. It has been tough with limited activities available for a long time. Now may be a good time to spring off the couch and into an exercise routine. But I would suggest doing it as something you can have some fun with versus saying you need to lose weight or just exercise more. Set up a challenge for yourself. There are tons of programs like couch to 5k that you can find apps for. If your exercise bike has clothes or towels hanging from it - move them and start spinning. Rinse off the dust from road bike you haven’t ridden in many years and ride away. Find something that will work well for you and your situation, that can be a fun way to get into some new, healthy routines. Nothing is better than exercise to create new energy for your day.
Take a scenic drive
Get out and see something - scenic that is. Almost everyone has some sort of scenic drive they can take within an hour or two of their house. Grab your partner and take a drive and just enjoy the scenery. No specific destination, just a chance to get out and let everything else stay behind. Or if you need a little solitude, then take the drive by yourself. This might be a good chance to catch up on an audiobook you've wanted to listen to or podcasts that have become backlogged from the last several months of no commute. Added bonus - take some time to research some things around you that you want to see, then take the drive. The best part may be - you never have to get out of the car and still have time away.
The days all roll together. It is no longer a joke to not know what day of the week it is. It is a reality. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept it as the only way. These are just a few ideas that you can take to put a smile on your face, forget about the world challenges we have, and just enjoy a little time activating yourself and your mind.
Share your ideas on what you are doing to reenergize and stay active, while having some fun along the way.
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