There is no way to sugar coat it, navigating everyday life through a global pandemic is hard work. After all, trying to balance work, family, home life and social life was difficult before having to adjust to life, for the most part, in lockdown. For some, there is a good chance that one day is starting to blend into the next, making motivation and positivity feel like more of a task than a way of life.
Let a New Skill Guide the Way to Better Days
The good news is that there is a fun and socially distant way to boost your well-being in a positive way!
The fast way to feel good is as easy as can be when you pick up a new skill to fill in some free time during the day. In other words, now is the time to learn a new skill instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching another season of whatever show came out this week.
Perceptual and Physical Skill Ideas
Now the big question on everyone’s mind must be, “what skills can I learn and enjoy from home?”. The answer to that question is simple, tons! Whether you want to learn a skill that is mentally engaging or physically stimulating there are plenty of fun and exciting options to consider.
For example, there are sensational skills to try and learn with a more perceptual focus, such as:
- Crocheting or knitting
- A new language
- Baking or cooking
- Computer and web programming
- Drawing or Painting
- Solving or completing puzzles
Learning a new language can be an incredibly rewarding skill that opens up a world of opportunities for personal growth and cultural understanding. If you’re interested in picking up Spanish, for example, taking Spanish classes online can be a convenient and effective way to build your proficiency. Not only will mastering a new language boost your cognitive abilities, but it also offers a sense of accomplishment and the joy of communicating in a whole new way.
The best part, any age is the right age to try and pick up a new skill with a perceptual focus. Not to mention that space is not a constraint because a skill, like knitting, can be done almost anywhere.
On the other hand, there are ample physically stimulating skills to learn, such as:
- Bodyweight exercises
- Building and crafting
- Nature photography
- Speed walking or jogging
- Yoga
Of course, there are a lot of other types of skills to explore and learn but getting to know what options are out there is the first step. It’s also important to remember to keep it simple and try to learn one new skill at a time. Trying to learn too much at once will likely lead to burning out before a new skill can even be learned or benefited from.
Benefits of Learning a New Skill
Hopefully, at this point, there is some excitement brewing to pick up a new skill. Now let’s get into some of the health benefits learning a new skill has to offer, such as:
- Offset boredom by focusing on something positive and proactive
- Feeling motivated and accomplished
- Stimulate the brain and improve memory
- Increase energy and self-esteem
Overall, picking up a new skill, whether perceptual or physical, is the perfect way to fill free time with an activity that will leave you feeling good. The only thing left to do now is to decide which new skill to learn!