Social distancing has now become a common thing throughout the country, which has had a large impact on how we all function. With schools and universities now online, with recommendations to stay home and with changes to how many businesses are able to operate, it’s only a matter of time before everyone begins to feel bored or lonely.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, because this is an opportunity. Now, everyone has the opportunity to make the most of this newfound time. I know many young people travel to school, university or Tafe which may usually include an hour of public transport in the morning. This means you are now saving two hours every day! Or maybe you are working less hours, so you have an extra five hours a week up your sleeve. So, what are you going to do with all this spare time? These are the top three thoughts about what to do in social isolation.
- Be productive: For many young people, particularly those in Year 12, the way the school year looks will be different to usual. If you’re like me and find yourself getting stressed about schoolwork, now is a great time to dedicate an extra 15-minutes to half an hour each day, simply writing notes or reading over the content from your online classes. When you think about it, you aren’t wasting any time, but you are using time that you otherwise would not have had. Take the opportunity to be productive!
- Find something you’re passionate about: A lot of people have passions, whether it be music, art, sport or another fun activity. However, some of these such as sports have been impacted by social distancing measures. But this is an opportunity to find other things that you enjoy. Some hobbies you could try include baking, reading, drawing, writing, virtual sports, jigsaw puzzles or learning dad jokes to whip out when others are having a bad day.
- Stay active: I know this may seem like a difficult feat at first, most sports are cancelled, and gyms are closed, however that doesn’t have to prevent you from keeping active. Activities such as yoga and Zumba can be learnt via YouTube tutorials. This is a great way to get you out of your chair and get your blood flowing. If these activities aren’t so much your style, now could be a great chance to turn your backyard into a gym without equipment. There are plenty of workouts which can be done using only your own bodyweight so you can get the same gym feeling, from the comfort of your own home.
Regardless of your situation, the main thing to avoid is distancing yourself, from yourself. Making sure you look after your health and mindset by being productive, doing things you’re passionate about and keeping active is vital to thriving in social isolation.
Written by: Jemma Newton, Burn Bright Intern 2020.
