Author: Sharmaine Ibarra
Editor(s): Steffi Chong, Kashmir Capuno, Hysa Guarte, Dave Go
It has been more than half a year since the pandemic started. ‘Mentally exhausting’ is one way to characterize this crazy year! Spending more time at home is challenging, especially for people who go out frequently. In the Philippines, some employees are lucky because their companies shifted from an in-person to a work-from-home scheme for safety. However, some of the employees who are working from home feel bored and unproductive.
Here are some tips to keep yourself entertained, but also be productive even when staying at home.
1. Netflix is your new best friend
Image from Pxfuel, No changes were made
First on the list!
Who does not want to have a movie or TV series marathon with popcorn, ice cream or the like? This is the time to binge-watch. Video-on-demand platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO have more to offer these days. 5 years ago, Netflix did not have as many movie options compared to now. If you think you can finish all the movies and TV series in Netflix right away, you are mistaken! And because Netflix has an extensive library, searching movies and series poses its own problems, especially for OC people. Enter ogres-crypt. People from ogres-crypt compiled a comprehensive list of very specific movie and series genres using four-digit codes. On your desktop, input the four-digit code after the following address : http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/. For the complete set of codes, visit this link.
2. Achieve your body goals
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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exercise. Exercise does not only help you physically but also mentally. According to WHO, “regular physical activity benefits both the body and mind. It can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers - all conditions that can increase susceptibility to COVID-19.” They also said that physical activity is also good for our mental health - reducing the risk of depression, cognitive decline and delaying the onset of dementia; it can also brighten up one’s mood. A full gym set-up is not needed to achieve this! It also need not be an expensive endeavor. To start, here are free home workout apps and videos to choose from. Check it out:
There are also Youtubers who became famous because of free workout videos. Some of the popular fitness Youtube channel artists include Chloe Ting, Yoga with Adrienne and Pamela Reif.
3. Be a fur parent
Image from PAWS Facebook Page, No changes were made
If you live alone and are seeking companionship, adopting a pet could be the perfect option! The president of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, Madeline Bernstein, told Washington Post that the rate of pet adoption doubled in late June. They recorded 10 to 13 adoptions a day. They even made a waiting list because there are very few dogs left in the shelter.
According to Anxiety and Depression Association in America, “pets and therapy animals can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness and social isolation.” These mental problems become more and more common due to COVID’s lockdown scenario.
If you are decided on becoming a fur parent, it is best to adopt from animal shelters like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. PAWS will be glad to help you in this matter. They are also accepting adoption applications through their website https://paws.org.ph/
4. Be PlanTita and PlanTito
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If you are kind of a person that doesn’t want too much responsibility like raising a pet, being a PlanTita or PlanTito is best for you. Since 2018, some people have started to become interested in plants like succulents, herbs, and the like. Some of the celebrity-approved online plant shops in the Philippines include Plants Manila, Spruce, Nest Plant Studio and Shop Leaf Plat Studio.
5. Next Gordon Ramsay. Why not?
Image from Pikrepo, No changes were made
Now, safety is not guaranteed when eating out and buying food delivery. The safest and healthy way to avoid getting the virus is by learning how to cook. Sounds scary, right? But you have all the time in the world when you are at home. You can start by watching cooking videos on Youtube. You can take the first step by watching must-watch cooking vlogs like Tasty, Bon Appétit and Epicurious. Who knows? You might become the next Gordon Ramsay!
6. Super charge your CV
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Get ready for the future!
This is the chance to take courses or even pursue a degree comfortably at home! There are many free and affordable online courses that can make your curriculum vitae or resumé more appealing. Coursera, Udemy and Masterclass are some of the websites that offer a wide-range of courses from language to technology. We at The Lannang Archives also have educational videos about Lannang language and culture that you can watch on our Youtube channel. Check it out here.
People have different ways to cope with anxiety due to COVID-19. What I have shown here is a small compilation of the most suggested activities at home during pandemic times. Let’s keep fighting while enhancing our lives!
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About the author
Sharmaine Ibarra is currently a Korean government scholar pursuing Master's degree in Film at Dongseo University - Busan, South Korea. For 4 years, she worked as a Program Researcher and News Script Producer for several newscasts in GMA Network, including 24 Oras, Unang Hirit and Saksi. She is always fascinated about world culture. Being part of The Lannang Archives did not only make her interested about the unique Lannang heritage in the Philippines, it also made her want to conserve and share it.
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