When news broke that we would all be stuck indoors for an indefinite amount of time, it was a shock to everyone. All our plans were put on hold, school was cut short, spring break trips were cancelled and we could all say goodbye to going out to going out to restaurants, to the movies and on shopping trips for a while. I am sure we are all looking forward to the day when we can spend time with our friends, return to classrooms and travel to our dream vacation spots. Here are a few steps to take to getting our lives back to normal and ideas to inspire you to try once quarantine restrictions are lifted.
The one thing many of us are missing the most right now is having our friends and family close to us. When we were told that we would all be stuck inside for a while and would not be able to see anyone we do not live with, it was and still is a hard idea to come to terms with. Many of us were forced to come home from school and finish off classes online, some had to leave their jobs and everyone’s plans were either cancelled or put on hold. Once quarantine restrictions are lifted in your state, make an effort to make plans with your friends and family by going on bike rides, out to eat, shopping at the mall or whatever activities you enjoy doing together.
What is one thing we can all agree to love and miss? Food. I don’t know about anyone else but I love to explore my hometown and all the new and trending restaurants. What better way to celebrate the end of quarantine than eating out at that one restaurant in your neighborhood you have always wanted to try but never got around to, going out for drinks with the girls at a cute martini bar or hitting an up and coming spot in the city?
Whether or not you live near a beach, I think we can all agree that this sounds very relaxing and the perfect way to get in the summer spirit. Grab your beach towel, sunscreen and bikini and hit the beach with your friends. Bring a basket of food for a picnic lunch or a good book to enjoy while listening to the sounds of the crashing waves. You don’t need a beach to have an adventure though. If hiking or sightseeing is more your speed, grab a friend and run for the hills!
If time and money permits, going to a spa is the perfect way to destress, get your head back into a normal routine and make yourself feel cleaned up and refreshed for what the future holds. Pamper yourself by requesting a mani-pedi for going back to work, a deep tissue massage to relieve the stress that has been living in you the past few months, or a facial to brighten your skin and freshen up your appearance for yourself and all the people you will encounter face-to-face now.
Public gyms have been closed for what feels like a century. Another way to get back into the swing of things once quarantine restrictions are relaxed is to jump back into a healthy lifestyle. This includes cutting back on the constant quarantine snacks, sitting on the couch and staying inside. A fun and motivational way to get back to a normal exercise regimen is to attend an exercise class with you friends or family. Try out hot yoga, a SoulCycle class or pilates.
Whether you like to drop some cash at the mall when you go shopping or you just like to window shop and strut your way down the hallways in dressing rooms, if you love fashion, getting back in the department stores can be a fun way to let loose with your girlfriends and experiment with mixing patterns and textures in a traditional brick and mortar store. Say goodbye to online shopping because there are racks of clothes waiting for you at your local shopping center just waiting for you to model.
Something else we have not been able to do much is go out in public places like shopping malls, amusement parks and movie theaters. Something fun to do with your friends and family once quarantine restrictions are lifted is to enjoy seeing all the new movies that plan to hit theaters whose release dates were pushed back because of social distancing rules. Grab your popcorn and hit up the town!
Booking a vacation, if you are able to, is your best bet for an escape from the reality we have all been living in the past few months. Take this time to rediscover who you are or get back to what you originally loved doing. If you are a mountain lover, plan a hiking trip to the Glacier National Park or Yosemite. If you love basking in the sun and heat, plan a trip to Cancun, Mexico or if you really want to get fancy, escape to the beaches in the South of France. If you are looking to explore or have an adventure, consider vacationing in the Galapagos Islands, Cape Town, South Africa or Lima, Peru.
Some of these ideas may sound appealing to you or none of them might sound appealing but the point is to help you brainstorm ways to help you ease back into your normal routine before all of our lives were put on hold. Remember to treat yourself every once in a while, think of the things you used to love and enjoy and reach out to your loved ones who you have been missing the most in this trying time. Take care of your mind, body and spirit and try out new challenges and adventures with your newfound self.
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