1Life Healthcare : Habits To Take Away From The COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Enjoying Nature

With event cancellations, restaurant closures, and limited options for socializing, many Americans have found refuge in the outdoors. Around the world, park and trail usage, as well as outdoor recreational activity, increased significantly this past year, as people turned to nature for a change in scenery and as an opportunity for social activity. While it may have taken COVID-19 for people to get outdoors, enjoying nature shouldn't be limited to the pandemic. A growing body of research has found that time in nature can lower blood pressure, boost immune system function, reduce stress, improve concentration, increase happiness, and elevate mood. One study, for instance, found that people who spent at least 120 minutes outdoors each week, reported better health and a greater sense of wellbeing compared to those who did not spend time in nature. So as things slowly start to reopen and your days get busier again, continue to make time for fresh air, even if it's just a quick walk around the block or lunch outside.

2. Prioritizing Self-Care

While the pandemic has been challenging in many ways, it has also given us the opportunity to take a step back from our hectic and busy lives and slow down. With empty social calendars and nowhere to go, we've had time to prioritize ourselves in a way the pre-pandemic world never allowed time for. For some, this has meant taking up meditation and yoga, while for others it has meant journaling and relaxing with a good book. Mindfulness and self-care shouldn't just be a luxury of our newfound free time though. Even as your calendar starts filling up again, it's important to listen to your body and take time for yourself. Investing in yourself, whether it be through a healthy diet, gratitude journal, or digital detox, can boost your energy, productivity, and prevent burnout.

3. Learning New Hobbies

While stuck at home, many of us also found ourselves with a lot more downtime than usual. From experimenting with new recipes and making sourdough starters to knitting and gardening, we found new creative ways to kill the time. Some people took on new hobbies altogether, while others refreshed old skills. These activities have been a good reminder of how important it is to do something just for fun. Amid hectic work and school schedules, it can be easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life and focus solely on the things that are going to advance us in our career, academic, or personal lives. Research shows, however, that taking time to engage in leisurely activities may boost our physical and mental well-being, as it is associated with reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and positive mood. Many hobbies also challenge our mind and can improve creativity. This mental stimulation can help with our memory, decision-making skills, and focus.

4.Cooking at home

One hobby in particular that has seen a surge in popularity this past year is cooking. According to the food industry association, FMI, 41% of Americans reported cooking more during the pandemic. A survey by sales and marketing agency, Acosta, likewise found that 35% of consumers had discovered a new passion for cooking over the course of the last year. While much of this new found interest can be attributed to a lack of safe opportunities to eat out, it should be a habit we keep even as things open back up. Those who cook at home are more likely to consume fewer calories than those who do not, and typically have a healthier diet. Whether you realize it or not, restaurant foods are usually made with high amounts of sugar, salt, butter, oil, and other additives. When you cook at home though, you can more easily watch your calorie intake and can control the ingredients, as well as portion size.

5. Connecting with friends and family

The pandemic may have interfered with our social activities, but it didn't stop us from connecting with family and friends. Stay at home orders forced many of us to spend more quality time with roommates and family members in our own households, but it also gave us the time to reach out to those we had not spoken to or seen in a while. Suddenly, many people found themselves calling distant relatives of old college roommates just because they had actually had the time to. Likewise, people got creative with ways to connect with their loved ones virtually, from group Zoom calls to virtual happy hours and online games. These connections don't need to end with the pandemic. As workplaces reopen and schedules get busier, it's important to make time for your loved ones, whether it be a quick phone call or monthly Zoom catch up. Fostering these social connections can enrich your life, give you a sense of belonging and purpose, and help you feel happier in the long run.