I have found with my new adventure with the “littles” that having a work and home balance is essential for mental health and wellness. I have struggled with making that balance for years. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, it hasn’t made it any easier. I have found that crafts, games, and movies have gotten us through, but everyone is getting sick of the same things over and over.
Finding activities to do for your clients, for yourself, and for your family is getting tougher, but there are things we can do. Scavenger hunts are a blessing both at work and at home. Baking days can be a chore but are also great opportunities to spend quality time with clients or family. Other ideas include: remembering positive times, keeping busy with activities, belly-laughing, and finding fun days to celebrate such as national coffee day, personally my favorite. Finding an activity each day to coincide with the day’s events can be a great way to find some sense of normalcy in a chaotic world!
Thinking outside the box has saved the sanity factor during COVID-19 Pandemic, especially during the restrictions posed by safety precautions, having to wear masks, essential-shopping only, and not eating out or not being able to congregate in large groups. One thing that can help is to do virtual games via Zoom or FaceTime. We have had coffee in the mornings the same way just to feel a part of something!
My family, well at least in part, is artistic. We had a challenge to make something. My mother embroidered dishtowels, and I painted a picture for her. My husband built a heated room in the garage just to be able to say we got out. We also have a shed in the making with holes already dug for the foundation. We also have a pool to relax, have fun, and have the littles in the pool and still be out of the house for the summer months while keeping safe. As the “Salsa Queen,” I am also learning a new way to can food. I would love to try a new pressure canner method. However, I am scared to death of blowing the lid off in the house, so I am in the process of looking for a gas stove to be able to can out in the garage or on the back patio (less damage control I hope!).
Lastly, I have also found that humor is the best medicine! It’s important to not sweat the small stuff. Take time to laugh even if it’s at yourself. Old Pictures taken out to show the kids or just to reminisce was the funniest thing we have ever done. Looking at the 80’s hair, the mullets, going back to the 70’s, and comparing it all to 2021 was hysterical. Belly shirts, makeup, hairstyles of other family members and I thought what was I thinking, but then it was cool. Having a bang height restriction in high school in the late 80’s, oh man it was almost like a competition. Our height restrictions was 4 inches high. Some of us went higher of course. Knowing the girls in our grade gave our gym teacher asthma later in life from all the use of stiff hold Aqua Net.
Man, we all laughed so hard!
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us change. If its not perfect, don’t sweat it. Make it better if you can. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is way too short!