According to the World Happiness Report, India has been ranked 139 out of 149 countries. This report is based on the effects of Covid-19 and how people in different countries perceive themselves to be. Another study conducted by The NORC at the University of Chicago found that Americans have been the most unhappy people during the dire situation of the pandemic.
Although worrying about the happiness index might seem trivial at the time. Because people are still dying due to Covid and the aftereffects are here to stay. However, everything is connected to being happy and staying optimistic.
People are mostly worried because of financial problems, health risks, social isolation, and trauma they have been facing. This brings chronic stress, anxiety, fear, worry, and other mental health problems. Because the Covid-19 is still very unpredictable, this gives us a sense of uncertainty which is not ideal for our mental health.
Hence, when you combine all these things, you get unhappiness and pessimism. Therefore, below are some ways through which you can cope up. And learn how to stay happy during a pandemic.
1. Optimism is good but stay logical
Not everyone will be vaccinated in the coming months, and the economic and social disruption will not be resolved once the pandemic is over. In fact, the pandemic’s consequences will be felt for years to come. Therefore, we should have a clear understanding that the pandemic is a long-term problem and things are not going to vanish magically.
Therefore the best we can do is to understand the situation, accept the reality and be logical about it. Once you fully accept and understand the situation, then only you can be hopeful about it. Because now you can plan your life ahead even in the worst situation.
Once you do that, it’s time for you to ignore the negative aspects and concentrate on your mental health. You can stop worrying about the ‘what ifs’ moments because you have a plan which can be implemented on a daily basis. And, if you still feel anxious in the middle of something, remember that it is your mind, not you, that is reacting to the uncertainty. However, you must reframe your thoughts to be more optimistic and upbeat. This is how you can stay happy in the face of a pandemic.
2. Create a routine and be productive
While freelancers have always worked from home, the pandemic has caused many people to either start freelancing or work remotely. As a result, all of these people who have spent a long time working in a physical office are unsure of how to be productive while working from home.
People working from home are not able to figure out the working hours and resting hours. This creates confusion and you’re not able to maintain a work-life balance. That’s why it’s crucial to follow a personalized routine based on your working hours. This establishes boundaries and makes things easier for your family members too.
The best strategy is to treat your work-from-home routine as you did with your old routine. Decide a time for having lunch, for spending time with your family, and giving yourself some quality time. Have a strict policy of not working after a certain time. Since you’re saving a lot of time by working remotely. You can use that time to indulge in other activities or hobbies—if you plan your day effectively. Having a productive routine is a sure method for—how to stay happy during a pandemic.
3. Indulge in physical activities
The bad news is—anxiety has many effects on our physical health. It can cause panic attacks, headaches, breathing problems, upset stomach, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, etc. So you’re not just feeling lazy because you’re staying home mostly, but it’s possibly because of stress and anxiety.
Therefore, it is not enough to be optimistic; we must also address the issue on a physical level. So, being happy during a pandemic requires not only a healthy mind but also a healthy body. So the solution is not complicated.
Bring more physical activities into your routine; find something that makes you active. It might be lifting weight, doing yoga, going out for a walk, or even playing indoor games. Anything that refreshes your mind and body will help you stay optimistic and hopefully happy.
4. Start something from scratch
While the situation stayed gloomy for most of us, there are some industries that grew rapidly during this time. This includes education technology, agriculture technology, online gaming, healthcare technology, online content creation, and so on.
Giving rise to many high-paying tech jobs and freelancing jobs. You can take advantage of this new demand and can start your own business or maybe become a freelancer. This might be your only chance to change your career or work on your startup idea.
If that sounds too daring, you can always start a side business that can generate a passive income for you. It’s not a bad idea to have a passive income at this time. Moreover, starting something new—may be a challenge, which will help you stay busy. Your mind will not get so much time to think about the negative side only. And hence, you can stay happier and light-hearted
Conclusion
The question—how to stay happy during a pandemic seems easier said than done. It’s not easy to stay positive while the world is still not recovered. And nobody exactly knows that when things will go back go to normal.
However, there’s no point in being pessimistic and disheartened. Knowing well that everybody has lost something and you might be in a better place.
Therefore, stay away from the negative aspects, try not to consume too much news, and plan for your future logically. Create a routine and stick to it for a while. Spend more time with your family and be cheerful anyway.
