Stepping out of the house to buy groceries now involves a new set of steps. Step 1 – wearing a mask, step 2 – gloves and step 3- social distancing. Every individual had numerous ideas with respect to what the year 2020 would look like and not one of us, even in our wildest dreams would have imagined living life in the midst of the COVID pandemic .

With schools and colleges having adapted to distance learning for the last few months, the effects on the mental health of students are clearly visible. The students have not been able to meet their friends and are missing out on all the play time and fun they used to have together. The stress on adults in terms of working online is another issue which mustn’t be neglected. These adults face the task of leaving their most efficient method of work involving hard copies and are having to work with technology as their tool today.

For their own safety people have had to practice social distancing to limit the spread. This social distancing meant no more handshakes, hugs, fist bumps and hangouts with their best friends. Well, let us all take a moment and reiterate that while we still need to continue social distancing, we must remember to not socially isolate ourselves.

We are living in 21st century. To aid communication we can use video calls to talk on length and see our family and friends. This year when we all are at homes let us make an attempt to develop new passions and learn new skills. These skills could range from cooking, learning new video games, painting, sketching, writing, embroidery and almost anything you have ever wanted to learn. It’s also a great time to spend time on your hobbies and unwind. We are often so busy in life that we keep complaining about the lack of time. So when we finally have time, let us use it to enjoy and make the most of the situation we are in.

You could also try organising movie nights for your family and watch movies right from the 90’s to the 2000’s. Another way to have fun in the midst of this pandemic, is by organising game nights with your friends. This involves downloading any multiplayer games on your phone and inviting your friends to play it. These games can help u to improve bonding with your friends and also release stress.

We should all aim to introduce 30 minutes of exercise per day for ourselves. This is imperative for fitness and physical health and also plays a crucial role in mental health. Exercising makes your body release chemicals called endorphins, which help to relieve pain, reduce emotional stress, and offer an overall sense of well-being.

Life is all about experiences. Think of the year 2020 as one such experience and let it pass. And while we all continue to have foods and drinks with immunogenic properties for your physical health, Remember your mental health is of prime significance.