Since the beginning of the pandemic, all educational institutions transitioned from real classrooms to online platforms for their daily classes and sessions. This transition was definitely difficult and tedious for students and teachers, both of whom have had to stare at a screen for long hours each day. Human beings are social animals by nature and the lack of human interaction has definitely been mentally draining, especially with the pandemic situation. So, it is very important for students to have a set of comforting rituals to fall back on in order to unwind, especially after a stressful day.
One could go the conventional way and binge-watch a Netflix web series or play a game online, although, getting some off-screen time and delving into exploration of the self would be more rewarding in the long run. As children, some of us have felt the innate urge to create art, for as John Keating says, “Poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for”, but somewhere along the way, as we grow older, most of us forget how intrinsically connected art is to the sense of self. We express who we are through the art we create, so I urge you to take up any form of art that you find inspiring, be it poetry, visual art, music, or even theatre. Learning a new musical instrument or a form of art is a great way to unwind, as it engages the imagination as well as helps us connect to the child within us.
An extension of what we consider to be mainstream art is the world of culinary art, which includes cooking and baking. Cooking a scrumptious meal for oneself is a very productive way to unwind for many, and when it is accompanied by music, it sets the tone for a calm and serene evening. For those with a sweet tooth, baking, while getting a whiff of heavenly vanilla in the process, would be the perfect way to de-stress.
Another conventional way of unwinding would also be to engage in physical activity, such as taking a walk around the neighbourhood, doing yoga or playing a sport. Such activities help in the release of endorphins, a chemical that aids stress relief and boosts happiness. An oft excluded aspect of health is mental wellbeing, so journalling and meditation would be the perfect way to conclude the day.
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