Top 10 Things We Should Keep Doing After the Pandemic Is Over

From restaurants to hairdressers to boutiques, no local business has been untouched since the pandemic started. In July 2020, a MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce poll found that 58% of small businesses may have to close forever because of fallout from COVID-19. Many consumers went out of their way to aid local businesses by purchasing gift cards, sharing positive reviews online and ordering deliveries when possible. Government grants have also helped the lucky ones. Even before the pandemic hit, starting any business was a financial risk. So, if there’s a little spot in town that you’re passionate about, support it as long as the doors are open (figuratively-speaking or otherwise).

Netflix can only make hanging around the house tolerable for so long. In the past, we’d maybe go to the mall to relieve our boredom. Due to the pandemic, though, a lot of people chose to avoid crowded public places and instead take advantage of the great outdoors. In September 2020, a OnePoll survey found that more than 50% of Americans had developed a newfound respect for nature since the pandemic began. People have discovered new hiking trails, taken camping trips and stopped to, literally, smell the roses. Nature walks are an ideal way for people to clear their minds, and benefit one’s physical and mental health. Whether you prefer exploring solo or with a small group of loved ones, we shouldn’t forget about Mother Nature.

#8: Working from Home When Possible

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For many, for example those in retail, working at home sadly simply isn’t an option. Had the pandemic taken place pre-Internet, this would’ve been the case for countless others as well. Thankfully, the web has provided a safety net for some. In a March 2020 study, research firm Gartner found that 74% of businesses would permanently move at least 5% of on-site workers to remote positions. We can see the upside. It means saving money on office space, less time in rush hour traffic and being able to make spreadsheets in your pajamas. Although working remotely isn’t ideal for everyone, the pandemic has shown us all the importance of being able to adapt. It’s also taught us about the advantages of Zoom and other telecommunication services.

#7: Taking Up New Hobbies

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As the world around us changed, a lot of people adopted new hobbies to pass the time and forget about their worries. In some cases, these new skills have even helped us grow as individuals. Instead of ordering takeout every night, people have pursued creative outlets such as cooking and baking. Gardening is not only a relaxing hobby; it’ll also leave you with a beautiful view to look at while munching on freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, catching up on video games, or tie-dying T-shirts, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to explore our passions, and even unearth new talents. Let’s all continue to hone our hobbies.

#6: Keeping Up With Doctor Appointments

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Nobody likes going to the doctor. It takes time out of our busy schedules, some of us have to pay out of pocket, and it’s so awkward whenever we have to wear those hospital gowns. There’s also, of course, the anxiety that the doctor may have bad news. But it’s also crucial to stay on top of your health. That said, we understand the fear of catching something from another patient in that waiting room. Fortunately, the pandemic has introduced many to the convenience of virtual doctor visits, an innovation we should all keep in mind.

Chances are that you have at least one close friend or family member who you haven’t seen in person since early 2020. There’s a difference between social distancing and physical distancing, though. If self-quarantining has taught us anything, it’s that we can maintain meaningful relationships while staying six feet or more apart. People have accomplished this through watch parties, virtual happy hours, and zooming on a regular basis. These are all laidback activities that we wouldn’t mind making into traditions. Of course, we do look forward to the day that we can hang out at a bar or restaurant without worrying. But whatever you prefer, the important thing is that we’re finding new ways to stay connected.

It’s easy for some to assume that their vote doesn’t matter because every politician is the same. As the pandemic dragged on with no clear end in sight, however, more and more people started to take a newfound interest in politics. A key talking point has been how world leaders responded to the pandemic (or failed to respond in various cases). To be fair, even history’s greatest leaders would’ve had a difficult time containing COVID-19 completely. By staying informed, taking responsibility, and electing the most qualified individuals to office, the voting public may be able to secure our world’s future.

For those who work 40+ hours per week and have a long commute, finding the time to exercise is understandably difficult. Since COVID-19 has changed most of our schedules, however, many have finally found the time to work out. When you’re cooped up in the house for most of the day, going for a jog can be as invigorating as it is healthy. If you were a gym regular before self-quarantining, there’s little doubt that you found other ways to stay in shape. Some broke out their yoga mats while others put that old treadmill in the basement to good use. Even after the pandemic’s over, we’re always going to have stress in our lives, and exercise is a great way to manage it.

On one hand, we’re kind of disturbed. Were some people not washing their hands before this all went down?! Well, it may’ve taken a pandemic, but more people are taking notice of their hygiene, as well as customs that most of us didn’t think twice about before. For the longest time, handshakes have been a staple of every job interview and business deal. Given our experiences with COVID, however, we think it’s time to officially retire this practice in favor of the elbow bump. You also might want to think twice about sharing a water bottle with someone, or other once-common, potentially germy practices. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. No More Blowing Out Birthday Candles Over the Whole Cake Just Blow Out One Candle on an Individual Slice Wearing Face Masks When Sick It’s the Considerate and Safe Thing to Do Saving Money For a Rainy Day… Or a Rainy Pandemic Prioritizing Family and Friends Sometimes Distance Can Bring People Closer Together Being Kind The World Needs It

#1: Being Prepared for the Future

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This pandemic will end eventually, but it’d be foolish to think that COVID-19 will magically disappear one day. It’d be equally irresponsible to assume that the worst is behind us. Reading about the Spanish Flu and the Black Death in history class, most of us jumped to the conclusion that nothing like that could ever happen in this day and age. While COVID-19 hasn’t claimed as many lives as those epidemics, this ordeal has been eye-opening nonetheless. The world wasn’t ready for a pandemic of this magnitude, and while there are no overnight solutions, humanity needs to invest in the proper precautions going forward. As individuals, we can prepare ourselves by taking everything we’ve learned from this pandemic and applying it to our everyday lives.