It’s probably safe to assume that you’re aware of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as the worldwide push for social distancing. You can’t go see your family, your friends, or any live music — but what you can do is make the most out of your time. If that seems impossible now, don’t worry. Here’s how music can help you stay productive during social distancing.
Social Distancing Blues
During these strange times, it’s important to tend to our mental health in addition to our physical safety. Feeling disconnected from others has shown to negatively affect mental health which can directly impact our livelihood. Thankfully, there is a home remedy: listening to music is good for the soul, and for eons, has been used to uplift our spirits and retain our sanity.
Music Helps Us Stay Connected
Sharing music is a great way to stay connected to others. When checking in on the people you love, try recommending your favorite tunes, personalizing a playlist, or mailing out a CD — and encourage them to do the same! Sharing a curated assortment of songs plucked from the soul is a great way to bring love and laughter to people even if you can’t physically be there.
Music and Self Care
In order to be there for others, you must be there for yourself as well. Take some time to unload and unwind to some music — whether it be your favorite sing-along anthems or some meditative instrumental music. This will help you feel refreshed, rejoiced, and recharged to make the most out of the time you have free.
Tune-In to a “Can-Do” Attitude
The worst thing to do during social distancing is giving up on life. And although this may be easier said than done, do whatever you must to retain a positive attitude by focusing on all the things you can do with your time as opposed to grieving over what you can’t do. Music has been shown to increase positivity in our lives, so find a way to incorporate music into your everyday routine — especially whenever you’re feeling negative.
Crank It Up A Notch
Making goals is not only a way to stay sane — it’s a powerful way to make the best out of our time spent social distancing. What are some things you can do today, this week, and at worst, over the upcoming months? Staying goal-oriented will manifest good things, so play or pause the pump-up music and get to brainstorming. When this is all over, you’ll be glad you did.
Get Up and Move
A great way to keep the mind and body sharp during social distancing is to stay physically active. Exercising is a great way to pass the time and, if done safely, has incredible health benefits. And we all know that music makes exercising more do-able, so make a work-out playlist for home or for around the neighborhood and get physical!
Clean Up, Clean Up
The only thing worse than cleaning is this chaotic mess we are now living in. But not only is it especially important to sanitize your living quarters during a pandemic, you are more likely to be depressed and idle if the home is a cluttered mess. Open all the windows, pump up the jams, and get to work around the house — it’s spring after all!
Finale
With so much going wrong in the world today, it’s easy to feel down and out. Make the most out of your time and be thankful for music – it’s not going anywhere.
