As schools closed their doors across the country in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the outbreak of senior sadness hit the U.S. just as hard. Here are some ways for seniors to stay positive while staying at home.
Social Media
The amount of information and stories spread through social media and news platforms can be overwhelming to adjusting families. If someone is getting overly stressed by what they read online, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention encourages families to limit their use of social media or turn off the news.
However, social media can be helpful as a creative outlet to participate in challenges or post videos. Instagram has created tags like “#challenge” and “stay home” to connect people through their stories.
Video Games
Video games such as Minecraft have become essential to filling the time as seniors Derek Lee and Connor Dang, along with other seniors, began building a model of TCHS on a public Minecraft server. The server is open to the public for any TCHS student to join. If you’re interested, the IP address is 96.41.15.239.
ASBL Events
ASBL has provided some fun ways to interact, such as a Fortnite gaming event, a group yoga session and now, a virtual spirit week. Starting April 27, students can participate in Monday memes, twin Tuesday, wika wika er Wednesday, trickshot Thursday and flashback Friday. Students can post their spirit activities on their Instagram stories with the hashtag “#doitforthespirit” for a chance to be featured on ASB’s Instagram page.
Mind & Body
To help stabilize mental health, it’s important to maintain good physical health. Exercise, especially cardio and aerobic workouts, cause the brain to release chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins that increase happiness and help flush out chemicals that trigger depression or an upset mood.
Meditation can also help, and apps such as Sanvello are currently offering their premium plan for free for a limited time.
Education
Staying up-to-date with online classes can help reduce anxiety over grades, make students more productive and help keep a steady daily structure. Try sticking to the class block schedule provided by administration or creating one suited to individual needs by having a daily to-do list or a weekly agenda to manage time.
The CDC urges that citizens maintain as much human communication as possible by calling or texting friends and family regularly. This solitude can make people feel emotionally isolated, so it is important to maintain personal relationships during the lockdown.