Sometimes a change of pace can work wonders.
Being stuck inside due to the pandemic has forced a lot of us to reevaluate how we spend our time. Personally speaking, I’m an old hand at sitting inside and wasting time, so this hasn’t been especially trying for me, but most other folks, being cut off from your usual friends and social activities can really do a number on your emotional state. It’s at times like this you need to channel your inner child and get creative. Find new ways to spend your time, and you may find your mood subtly improving.
Recent studies show that taking up a new hobby can prevent symptoms of depression from developing, or for folks who already suffer from clinical depression, it can also significantly lessen existing symptoms. Part of dealing with depression is being stuck inside your own head, so it only makes sense that going outside your norm and directing your focus elsewhere can be good for your overall mood.
So what kind of hobbies would be good? Well, anything’s fine, really, just try something new. There’s traditional stuff like gardening, knitting, and art, but if you’ve got a surplus of free time, then take the initiative and learn something cool or practical. Teach yourself to play and instrument, for example. There are lots of easy online tutorials, and you can have instruments delivered to you (if you have the money, of course). You could also learn a new language. When things finally get back to normal and we can travel again, you can visit your new tongue’s home country and learn about its people. If you like, you can get really creative and try to make something entirely new like a board game or a novel. Flex that noodle of yours!
When you’re stuck inside and directionless, it can feel like the world is closing in on you. But just because your physical world is smaller doesn’t mean your mental world has to follow suit. Your only limit is your imagination.