As COVID-19 cases continue to escalate across the United States—exceeding 200,000 deaths by September—along with the overwhelming influx of misinformation, many are pondering the best actions to take during this uncertain time.
Whether you’re desperately seeking a new pastime to alleviate stress or searching for additional ways to enhance your overall health and wellness, identifying activities that are considered safe amid COVID-19 can indeed be challenging.
If you feel uncertain about the appropriate and inappropriate actions during this pandemic, rest assured you are not alone. Here are several suggestions to help you navigate this difficult period in a safer and more manageable way:
When Unsure, Stay Indoors
Regrettably, due to COVID-19, numerous activities have been deemed unsafe. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean we must forgo enjoyment entirely. Our primary focus should always be the health and safety of our communities.
This indicates that engaging in activities such as attending indoor yoga, cycling, or boxing classes—where individuals are close together and breathing heavily—is best avoided. Similarly, events like festivals, parties, and parades do not present ideal choices. This caution not only protects you but also helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community.
Before participating in any activity or visiting public places, it’s crucial to continuously assess your own health. You are the first to recognize if you’re feeling unwell, and by being vigilant about COVID-19 symptoms, you can promptly self-isolate and seek testing rather than potentially spreading the virus to those around you.
Ultimately, as long as your chosen activities adhere to the CDC’s safety guidelines, it’s permissible to step away from the chaos and indulge in stress-relieving pursuits.
Book That Delayed Appointment
The pandemic has significantly affected access to healthcare services, as many of us prefer to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 or inadvertently spreading it. Our frontline healthcare workers are also overwhelmed with treating those currently battling the virus.
However, it remains essential to protect yourself from other health issues while navigating quarantine as best as you can.
Having endured COVID-19 for most of 2020, you may have missed routine checkups with your dentist, physician, and optometrist. While it’s natural to be concerned about whether it’s wise to schedule appointments during this time, remember that maintaining your overall health should take precedence—especially now.
Many healthcare facilities have instituted measures to safeguard both patients and staff. With regular health screenings, social distancing protocols, personal protective equipment for staff, and mandatory mask-wearing policies, medical offices are doing their utmost to minimize COVID-19 transmission while addressing patients’ health needs.
Postpone Salon Visits
One appointment you may want to delay, however, is at the hair salon. Receiving a haircut is still classified as a high-risk scenario. It’s challenging to maintain distance during the appointment, as stylists need to work closely with clients. Given the number of people a typical stylist interacts with daily, the virus can spread easily among clients and staff alike.
While medical appointments are crucial, a visit to the salon is not as vital. If you find it absolutely necessary to get a haircut, consider limiting your visit to a quick trim rather than booking long services like highlights or dyeing.
Reassess Your Daily Habits
Many activities have been put on hold as the world grapples with COVID-19, leading to a significant number of us being confined at home with limited physical activity. Additionally, with remote work as the new norm, we’re generally accumulating less movement throughout our days.
This reduction in physical activity can negatively impact our health and well-being. Still, it’s wise to steer clear of gyms and recreation centers, as these environments pose a higher risk for infection. Moreover, with most sporting events canceled, finding ways to incorporate fitness into your life during quarantine may feel like a daunting task.
Fortunately, there are straightforward yet safe methods to stay fit and healthy while waiting for life to return to normal. Consider these options:
• Use an Exercise Ball: Swap your regular desk chair for an exercise ball, which engages your core and improves posture. If that isn’t feasible, try standing at your desk throughout your workday to encourage better blood circulation.
• Take a Proper Lunch Break: Previously, lunch breaks were a well-deserved pause. Now that you’re working from home, it’s easy to eat at your desk or skip that break altogether. Instead, step away to take a walk around your neighborhood. As long as you wear your mask and maintain social distance, you can enjoy some fresh air and vital exercise.
• Discover New Exercises: This year is an excellent opportunity to explore creative ways to stay fit. Consider “deskercise,” which includes simple movements and stretches that can reduce discomfort from prolonged sitting. You can practice them while on the couch, in bed, or at your desk.
With everyone’s well-being under threat, increasing your activity levels in your routine is especially crucial right now, as exercise can bolster your immune system and support mental health, which may have suffered during this pandemic. While gyms and yoga studios remain less than safe, creativity can help you achieve the necessary physical activity.
Try a New Hobby
Another worthwhile addition to your quarantine routine is a new interest—one that ensures your safety as well as that of others. Consider engaging in outdoor activities like gardening. Gardening allows you to enjoy the outdoors, incorporate movement, and create a beautiful space that can uplift your mood and bring you joy.
Whether you aim to plant attractive trees in your front yard or initiate a community vegetable garden for everyone to enjoy, gardening can relieve stress while providing essential time outdoors.
Moreover, it’s an activity that the entire family can participate in, fostering bonding time outside of binge-watching TV on the couch. If gardening isn’t your preference, there are plenty of other safe hobbies to try, including painting, sewing, golfing, fishing, or hiking.
Bearing in mind how challenging it can be to discern what activities are safe or not, exercising caution is advisable until a vaccine becomes widely accessible. Still, it’s vital to prioritize your wellness during this unprecedented time to maintain as much health and happiness as possible.
Although attending to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being has undoubtedly become more complicated, there remain activities that can help restore some semblance of normalcy to our lives.
