While hand washing may be on the rise, other small, daily habits have been, for the
most part, cut off during quarantine. What's the point in shaving your beard if no
one's around to see your freshly groomed face? Does deodorant matter if you're not
leaving the house? Most people have decided that social distancing also means they
can distance themselves from certain hygiene habits they used to follow before going
to work and school. But now we did a thing. We made it through more than a year of
quarantine. And while we may never get back to the “old normal,” this new normal
has brought about some interesting habits and behaviors we may (or not) want to
keep around.
Welcome message from author
There‟s plenty of good habits we do that influence our well-being, like brushing our teeth, exercising, and journaling. Others we do because we can, it‟s convenient, or it feels good to us.
Transcript
Slide 1Overview While hand washing may be on the rise, other small, daily habits have been, for the most part, cut off during quarantine. What's the point in shaving your beard if no one's around to see your freshly groomed face? Does deodorant matter if you're not leaving the house? Most people have decided that social distancing also means they can distance themselves from certain hygiene habits they used to follow before going to work and school. But now we did a thing. We made it through more than a year of quarantine. And while we may never get back to the “old normal,” this new normal has brought about some interesting habits and behaviors we may (or not) want to keep around. Washing hair In fact, so many people have ditched this hygiene habit in quarantine that there's even a challenge on Instagram called #NoShampoo, where people show off what their hair looks like unwashed. Daily Habits People Have Ditched During Quarantine Ditched During Quarantine In a poll by Sided, nearly 17 percent of respondents reported only brushing their teeth once per day, compared to the recommended twice a day, while more than 8 percent said they just don't brush their teeth anymore. Putting on deodorant We are forgetting to wear deodorant most days right now, right? And another called herself "fancy" for finally putting on deodorant one day. Wearing deodorant when you're stuck inside doesn't seem to be high on everyone's priority lists right now. Shaving Men and women alike are putting down their razors right now, as not much shaving is taking place during quarantine. In fact, for men. However, if you are looking to adopt a "quarantine beard," consider these beard styles that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says can fit under a face mask. Changing clothes Odds are, if you're not changing out of the same pair of sweatpants you wore yesterday, other people aren't either. Many people have stopped "getting dressed" in the morning, whether it be because they are working from home or are newly unemployed. Wearing makeup That full face of foundation no longer seems that important anymore since everyone is stuck indoors. Many makeup wearers report that they are embracing their fresh faces during quarantine and holding off on using up expensive beauty products while they're not going out in public. Even celebrities are embracing the no-makeup look during lockdown. Sleeping regularly With all this time indoors, you would think people are taking advantage of their ability to catch some sleep every day. But, not really. In fact, without the need to wake up earlier to commute to work or school, many people have let their sleep cycles go during lockdown. However, people suffering from change in their regular sleep schedules may not be entirely to blame. New Behaviors We Picked Up During Quarantine Desperate times have called for desperate measures — and during quarantine folks have both invented a host of new sports and revisited forgotten ones. Sports fans have sat through reruns in lieu of live events, and some sports-starved fans have even turned to watching late-night live curling competitions overseas. Being a good sweat pants Deciding on outfits is low on our priority list — who cares if you wear the same pair of sweat pants all week anyway? Aside from potentially being a tad unhygienic, youre missing out on the added value that comes with routine. Trying viral trends Thanks to YouTube, being satisfied through trends like Mukbang — a Korean video phenomena where people film themselves eating while talking to the camera (sometimes quite loudly) — has taken off to the likes of hundreds of millions of subscribers. Psychologists believe that the eating sounds in these videos have a similar effect on viewers as ASMR videos, eliciting psychological and physiological sensations that can lessen stress. Changing exercise routines With gyms closed and no rushing to meetings, weve looked to other ways to get our heart pumping — such as brisk neighborhood walks and the resurgence of biking and rollerblading. As more movement enhances all aspects of our well-being, its one to stick with. Staying up later When morning commutes were canceled, many ditched sensible bedtimes to watch more TV. But while „revenge bedtime procrastination is a very real tactic to garner a sense of control, a lack of sleep can lead to everything from low mood to increased cancer risk. Embracing DIY From painting walls to making handmade gifts, weve all been a little more DIY. And craftiness is worth getting onboard with. Creativity has the potential to improve quality of life, enhance mental functioning, and lower anxiety. Logging extra hours at work With little else to occupy us, plenty of people have been putting in extra hours at the home office. But its important to set a finish time and stick to it, as overworking may have negative effects on your sleep, heart health, mental health, and so much more. Baking If social media is anything to go by, few people havent not baked during quarantine. Theres more than just good taste involved: Baking is a mindful activity that can encourage happiness and reduce symptoms of depression. Popular faves (and „Pinterest fails!): fresh bread loaves and banana bread bricks. Playing with puzzles Simple but fun, millions have tackled a jigsaw puzzle (or three). Activities like this are great for mindfulness and encouraging a sense of accomplishment — especially when you place that final tile. Planning meals Cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be tiring, but many have discovered that meal planning can reduce kitchen stress, avoid food waste, and make you a more confident cook. Creating space for self-care „Self-care has been a big pandemic buzzword. From taking things sloooooow, to reflecting on the positives of the day, this writer reveals how to get started — and why its so beneficial. Skipping schedules Without appointments and social commitments, its been easy for routines to go awry. Keep to a schedule if you can, as doing so helps instill feelings of certainty, control, and pleasure. hours With the fridge a few steps away and no boss around, its been oh-so-easy to indulge a bit more. In fact, according to one study, 60% of respondents reported drinking more for reasons ranging from increased stress, availability, and boredom. This raised real concerns from both an individual and public health perspective. Binge watching is the new norm “Tiger King,” “Hamilton,” and everything in between — we streamed a lot during the pandemic. So much so that we ran out of new things to watch and started rewatching old shows, from start to finish. Watching an entire series in one day is a popular way to pass the time, but consider pressing pause next time you go to hit play. Adopting family members As we found ourselves apart from family and friends, the number of pet adoptions increased. Apart from being cute and a fun distraction, pet companionship is linked to better social-emotional behaviors and reduced levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusion Theres plenty of good habits we do that influence our well-being, like brushing our teeth, exercising, and journaling. Others we do because we can, its convenient, or it feels good to us. On the flip side, there are those that arent inherently “bad” but you might be more hesitant to admit to (like picking your nose when nobodys watching), and others that can have more harmful effects on our health, especially if theyre done in excess — such as smoking or drinking. Plus, what one person deems an acceptable and positive habit might be viewed entirely different by someone else. Sources