The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it challenge after challenge, one of them being finding happiness in ordinary day-to-day routines. With travel restrictions and lockdowns remaining in place for many people, life just isn’t the same as it used to be. Many people now find themselves experiencing mental health problems and are looking for ways to cope. While the media often depicts a gloomy outlook of the world, real life doesn’t have to be that way. Indeed, there are plenty of issues being faced by people all around the globe; however, there are also lots of reasons to stay hopeful for a brighter future and ways you can keep yourself entertained and happy as the days pass by. Online counseling platforms like BetterHelp can provide encouragement and practical tips for working through mental health issues, but there are also steps you can take in everyday life to live healthier and happier. 

 

Find What Makes You Happy

If you don’t already have hobbies that you enjoy doing on a regular basis, now is the time to find some. Hobbies can be stimulating, relaxing, adventurous, or calm activities—anything, as long as it makes you happy. You might consider playing an instrument, taking up weightlifting, playing a sport, writing blogs, or reading. Many people are avid travelers and miss road tripping or flying across the world for a getaway. However, restrictions are beginning to be lifted and travel is starting to pick up again. If travel is one of your hobbies, you can still enjoy doing so in a way that is safe and fun. Follow restrictions where possible, social distance if needed, and focus on your health whenever you’re away from home. 

 

Practice Gratitude

It is natural to focus on everything that feels wrong in the world, and it can be hard to focus on what’s going right instead. Still, you should try to do the hard work of practicing gratitude for the things you are thankful for. Being positive is easier said than done, but you can begin by starting a gratitude journal. Take some time each day to write out the things, people, and places you’re thankful for. Remembering the good in life will help lessen your focus on what’s going wrong. 

 

Connect with Others

People need other people. During this time, you should be leaning on friends and family members and confiding in the people you trust. Everyone has had different struggles during the pandemic, but it is a shared experience among all humans. Technology allows us to be more connected than ever, so whether you’re seeing someone in person or talking over the phone, all connection is good and needed.

 

Nurture Your Body and Mind

Your body and mind are intimately connected. When one falls short, the other tends to suffer as a result. You can nurture your body by eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Avoiding drugs and alcohol, practicing good hygiene, and drinking enough water are also important ways you can keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Your mind can be taken care of by meditating, being mindful, practicing faith or religion, going to therapy, and doing things that make you happy and relaxed. The goal is to keep your brain stimulated and consistently active, while still making time for rest when needed.

 

Finding happiness again is a journey that is short for some and longer for others. Sometimes you’ll need a mental health professional to help you find happiness again, and that’s okay. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. No one should ever have to face life’s difficulties alone, and you are no exception. Whether you find happiness again through a counselor, a friend, family member, a gratitude journal, or a hobby, all that matters is that you’re in a healthy place. Happiness will look different for everyone, so focus on your own journey and don’t be afraid to make changes to your life if it’ll benefit your wellbeing. While the pandemic has stolen a lot from society, it has also given us the chance to focus on the things that truly matter.

Published on Holr Magazine

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression