We've all been on a roller coaster over the past couple of years and this means that maybe at times our routine fell out of place, our moods were impacted and our sense of purpose was diminished. It has not been easy, and that's okay to admit. What we had dreamed and envisioned for our lives took some left turns but here you are still living. You've made it far with your current coping strategies, CONGRATULATIONS! If you're here wanting to add to your list of coping strategies or want to substitute in some healthier strategies then you're in the right place! Here are a few ideas that have been generated over the past couple of months on ways to cope that I hope will give you life as it has given me!
Activities You Can Do Alone
Connect with yourself by journaling how you feel on a daily basis
Play your favourite albums and sing with all your heart
Practice yoga, there are a ton of youtube videos to check out especially if you are a beginner
Meditate, if you've never done this I'd suggest finding some guided meditations via Spotify or Youtube
Download an app to help with your mental health
Volunteer your time doing something new and that you enjoy
Try something new every day, this could be a new recipe, a new sport, or a new craft
Organize areas in your home that you've been avoiding
Learn a new language
Go graffiti hunting in your city
Buy plants and learn how to take care of them
Plant a garden
Go bird watching
Write gratitude cards to your loved ones
Do a random act of kindness
Swim at a local indoor pool
Renovate or repair spaces in your home
Learn a new instrument
Practice self-care, hot baths, good food, and giving yourself space to relax
Visit your local library
Watch your favourite comedian online
Read for leisure
Fly a kite
Give your car a good car wash
Do a puzzle
Host a yard sale
Go to yard sales
Learn embroidery
Read a book
Activities You Can Do With Others Indoors (based on Health regulations)
Play board games together
Plan a themed-dinner night
Cook together
Enjoy a movie-marathon day/weekend
Go rock-climbing
Visit a local art gallery or museum
Attempt to beat the odds at a local escape room
Host a dance party
Host a Karaoke Night
Play Charades
Host an Iron Chef Night where you only use ingredients in your pantry, no buying extra ingredients.
Activities You Can Do With Others During Wintertime
Go on a hike (check out alltrails app for ideas on where to adventure to)
Find a local skating rink (some city rinks rent skates if you don't have your own)
Check out local hot chocolate or coffee cafes
Go snow-shoeing (check out this list of snow-shoe trails in Ontario)
Visit Niagara Falls if you're close by, they are just as magnificent during winter but bundle up
Hit up a local ski hill
Go tubing or tobogganing, have you ever been to Riverdale park in Toronto?
Rent a winter cottage with friends/family
Go on a dog-sledding adventure
Start a book club with your friends
Plan a Charades night
Activities You Can Do With Others When It's Not So Cold
Be eco-friendly, grab a bag, go for a walk and pick up any litter you pass by
Plan a picnic with your friends
Schedule in a movie night in the park
Host a socially distanced bonfire in one of many local parks (see reservation list for Toronto)
Star-gazing (this is really good anytime of the year) check out a few stargazing apps here
Attend a socially distanced concert
Visit local or provincial parks
Visit a farm or a local zoo
Go horse-back riding
Visit the closest lake/beach/body of water and enjoy the views
Plan a day on the island (Toronto Island)
Host a BBQ
Go camping, biking, fishing
Learn how to play tennis with a friend
This list is by no means exhaustive but the hope is that you'll find at least a few here that you can incorporate into your schedules that spark joy for you! Remember if you stay focused on bring joy into your life, that won't leave much room for other overwhelming feelings to take over. If you are experiencing loss of interest and low moods click on our 12 Ways to Manage Depression article.
We'd love to here how you have been coping! Leave your strategies below and we'll add it to the list!
Grace, Space & Beautiful Bridges
Xo Unapologetically You
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