The pandemic has affected almost every aspect of our daily lives. It’s changed the way we work, socialize, shop, communicate and unwind. After spending the better part of a year indoors, everybody is continually trying to adjust to this new normal we’re in. A healthy and balanced lifestyle can look different for everybody, but you can consider some core aspects to ensure you’re taking care of yourself and living your best life.
The new normal’s effects on women and the family are particularly worth looking into as a balanced lifestyle for moms, single women, and children evolve over time. Diving deeper into the modern woman, here are just some of the crucial aspects to consider.
Increased Childcare Needs
As more schools close their doors and switch to virtual learning, there has been a significant increase in childcare needs, which usually falls on the women of the household. Becoming a pseudo teacher for your children can be difficult, especially if it’s not something you’re typically involved in. This is especially the case for younger children as they need more guidance in terms of school work and general supervision. For older children, the lockdowns and new normal have brought with them both positive and negative effects. Many families have found that they enjoyed the new normal as it provided them with more opportunities to spend time together that they usually wouldn’t have. In comparison, others found it somewhat stifling and anxiety-inducing. Whichever end of the spectrum you fall on, childcare continues to be at the center of many conversations around parenting and the pandemic.
Self-care
The increased responsibilities in the household have also led to some cases of burnout as a parent, sibling, or child. Spending copious amounts of time with your family can certainly be fun at first but adjusting to being confined at home proved challenging for all family members. This is why paying closer attention to your self-care habits is important for staying happy and healthy in the pandemic. Regardless of gender or age, self-care can help get you in a better mood and mindset during such uncertain times. Establishing good self-care habits like skincare, meditation, journaling, or exercising can help you recharge and make sure you’re the best version of yourself, even if you’re spending most of your time at home.
Home Environment
Your environment plays a major role in how you feel. Our homes have turned into pseudo-classrooms, offices, gyms, restaurants, and theaters for many of us. The numerous roles our home plays can quickly overlap in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Staying positive and productive in a chaotic environment is next to impossible, which is why making sure to sort out your home environment can help keep you in a good headspace. Many mothers and working professionals have found that keeping their workstations away from their bedrooms and living room helps set much-needed boundaries between work, rest, and play. In the same vein, organization also plays a vital role in these three aspects. Making sure your home is clean and organized can ensure that you don’t feel stressed or overwhelmed during busy days.
Work-life Balance
Speaking of work-life balance, this has been a hot topic of conversation as more companies transition to remote or hybrid work. Whether you’re a mother who’s working from home or have a partner that is, remote work provides its own unique set of challenges. As mentioned above, the lines between work, rest, and play can quickly blur when you’re doing all three in just one space. One key tip many have found is maintaining a somewhat strict schedule for your daily activities. The same way a designated home office lets you concentrate, making sure to only work during your allocated shifts helps ensure you’re not “bringing your work home with you” after working hours.
Downtime
Making sure you set aside the time to unwind and rest is another aspect that’s important to a happy and healthy lockdown experience. After a stressful day, doing things you enjoy doing will help you unwind and get rid of some of that stress at the end of the day. Watching your favorite TV show, reading a book, or online shopping are just some of the most popular ways to spend your downtime at home. You can even take things one step further, like purchasing authentic autographed memorabilia from your favorite show online or trying to recreate your favorite dish from a restaurant you frequent. Taking the time to enjoy and take a break from your responsibilities ensures you don’t burn out and helps you recharge for the next day.
Final Thoughts
The lifestyles in the new normal continue to change but what continues to be at heart is a balance of new happy memories to go along with the struggles of navigating the pandemic.
