Last year was unlike any other, and as we turn the corner from unprecedented times and look to the future, 2021 doesn’t need to be more of the same. While, yes, there are many things that are happening outside of your control, many elements of your life can be shaped by your mentality and commitment to bettering yourself. So, if you’re ready to turn the corner with us, here is a guide to living your best life this year — let’s get started!
Stay Healthy
Obviously, we’re not out of the woods yet with COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic. In order to live your best life, you can’t be bogged down with ailments and sickness. And it’s never been more crucial than now to maintain regular safety precautions. After all, if you don’t have your health, what do you have?
Stay Socially Distanced & Wear a Mask
Even if those around you aren’t showing symptoms, they could still be carrying disease. As such, it’s important to stay socially distanced when in public areas. Studies have shown that staying about six feet away from others can drastically reduce the spread of COVID-19 from one to another through the air. Wearing a mask is another safety precaution that’s been shown to reduce the chances of catching coronavirus. The CDC recommends cloth face masks for the public in addition to maintaining social distance to follow proper health protocols.
Stay Active
Even if gyms in your area are closed, or if you don’t feel like being in public spaces, there is plenty of opportunity to stay active by just stepping outside. According to a journal published in Medicine magazine, “Existing evidence has shown that regular exercise can significantly improve the immune capacity of the body and reduce the probability of infection with infectious diseases, like COVID-19.” So, as long as you can safely stay a distance of six feet or more from strangers, it’s a good idea to stay active, no matter how you prefer to do so — from winter-time skiing to leisurely strolls at the park to chopping wood up at the cabin.
Get Vaccinated When it’s Your Turn
Getting vaccinated is another one of several steps you can take to protect against COVID-19. These ground-breaking vaccines are becoming more available by the day, and provide support to your immune system when exposed to the virus. To find out when it’s your turn to get vaccinated, reach out to your state health department for local information. For more background regarding the vaccine and whether you’re at high risk for catching coronavirus, reach out to your doctor.
Stay Entertained
The best way to refresh your lifestyle, particularly if you’ve been under stay-at-home orders, is to pick up a new hobby. A unique challenge can push your mind’s reset button, allowing you to focus on something outside of the mundanity of day to day activities (or lack thereof). Some of the best socially distanced hobbies you can try for 2021 include:
Learn an Instrument
If you’ve always had a tin ear, now’s the time to dust off that old guitar in the corner, bring down the drums from the attic, pull off the piano cover, or go buy yourself a new toy at the local music shop. Learning an instrument is fun, challenging and proven to help improve moods. A recent trial review published in the World Journal of Psychiatry showed that playing music can reduce depression and improve self-esteem, while fighting off health concerns like dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Learn to Fly
Becoming a pilot may be something you’ve always dreamed of, or have recently taken interest in. Before signing up for classes, first give it flying a try to find out if it’s right for you — check out our Discovery Flight option and experience the thrill of flying a plane yourself, under direction of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). You get to find out what it’s like to live a day in the life of a certified pilot, while creating a wonderful memory soaring through the skies.
Try Gardening & Landscaping
Gardening and landscaping are great activities to focus on throughout the year, because of the hard-work put in up front and the payoff down the road. You, quite literally, plant seeds and watch them grow! Not only can you plant unique flowers, bushes and trees, you can try your hand at growing your own food, in the style of a mini-self-sustaining farm. Plus, even when the weather is cold you can find outdoor landscaping activities to occupy your time, whether it’s raking leaves, shoveling snow or fertilizing your yard.
Check out a number of other socially-distanced activities you can try today with our guide: The Best Hobbies to Try in 2021.
Stay Connected
Even though it’s risky to physically be around others right now, keeping up with your social life will help you keep some semblance of sanity after a long year. Thankfully, we have technology and social media to help out. In some cases, you can even do in-person meet ups if you’re being careful.
Host Outdoor Get Togethers
As of 2021, outdoor gatherings tend to be a better bet on staying safe while also enjoying the company of others. Whether it’s a picnic at the park, a stroll along the beach, backyard movie night or a day on the local ski hill, there’s an endless number of things to do to stay entertained outside the confines of your home.
Start a Virtual Wine or Book Club
Programs like Zoom, FaceTime and Google Meet are making it easy (and free in many cases) to meet up with friends virtually. There’s probably more than enough interest among your friends to get a wine club started, particularly if there’s any essential workers among the group needing a break. If drinking isn’t your thing, something like a book club would be a good alternative and help you exercise your brain muscles instead.
Try Online Classes
Like never before, there are limitless opportunities to participate in any type of virtual class you want. Become a connoisseur of the finest wines in just a few hours, learn how to cook like the pros, complete a custom paint canvas or take an MIT-based physics class, through companies like edX. With some quick search engine research, you’re sure to find something that appeals to your interests, both free and paid.
Live Your Best Life in 2021
We’ve all been through a lot this past year, and maintaining your health, keeping yourself entertained and staying connected with others will only help contribute to a better overall outlook on life. Remember to give some of the above ideas a try so you can start living your best as you move forward into 2021 and beyond.