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The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to deal with some pretty major life changes. We’ve had to adapt to remote work, learn to homeschool our children, get comfortable exercising outside of the gym, and find ways to fill our free time without leaving the house. By now, we’ve all settled into a new normal. While many states are starting to reopen, many of these changes are bound to stick around. Here are some tips to help you navigate pandemic challenges and cope with the changes in your own life.

Consider a Career Change

If the shutdown affected your ability to work, this could be a great opportunity to make a career change! There are all kinds of fun and fulfilling jobs you can do from home, whether you want to try freelancing or build your very own business. If you’re interested in becoming a freelancer, think about the type of work you would enjoy the most. You can offer nearly any service on a freelance basis, including web design, accounting, writing, translation, and admin support. Use job boards to browse freelance job categories and find the right choice for your remote career!

Maintain a Routine

A good routine is vital to success for anyone working from home. Not only will your routine help you stay on task and avoid household distractions, but it can also ground you to a kind of consistency during this time of unpredictable change. Start by developing a solid morning routine that will get you excited about waking up. Have a cup of coffee on the balcony, take your dog for a walk, or read a book. When you feel ready to start your day, jump into a work routine with scheduled breaks so you can avoid burnout. Finally, maintain a relaxing evening routine that can help you wind down and put those nagging thoughts to bed before your head hits the pillow.

Pick Up a New Hobby

Although lockdown restrictions are loosening, you may still be hesitant to return to all your old hobbies and pastimes. Ensure your days are still full of fulfilling and meaningful activities! Play around with some new hobbies until you find something that you can get really passionate about. Pick up a new instrument, learn another language, try baking bread, play around with crafts, or plant a garden in your backyard. Do something that makes you feel productive every day!

Keep Your Body Healthy

Maintaining your health is more important than ever right now, and not just so you can avoid illness. Long days spent in lockdown are bound to wreak havoc on your overall well being, especially if you’ve let your exercise routine slip or you’ve been snacking on all those tempting treats in the pantry. Keep your health in top shape so you have the energy you need to cope with the changes happening in your life right now. To enjoy optimal physical health, you need to focus on three main things—nutrition, exercise, and sleep. These three pillars support each other, so don’t neglect any one of them!

Protect Your Mental Health

The coronavirus pandemic may have caused you to lose the sense of control that you previously had over your life. As a result, you may be feeling anxious, sad, or even scared. This is completely normal, and many of us are going through the same emotions. Whether you’re worried that someone you love will get sick or you’re concerned about losing your job, these stressors can slowly chip away at your mental well-being.

Verywell Mind recommends keeping your mental health strong and resilient by taking good care of your body, developing healthy stress-reduction strategies, and maintaining your contact with supportive friends and family. It may also be a good idea to limit your exposure to negative news and sensational social media content that can only exacerbate your worries.

Humans are creatures of habit. This is why we hold onto the familiar and are resistant to change—especially when the outcome is wrought with uncertainty. Overcoming the numerous challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic likely means leaving your comfort zone, and you’ll come out of this a stronger person because of it!

About the author: Jennifer Scott is a single mom who writes about the ups and downs of her mental illness on SpiritFinder.org  The blog serves as both a source of information for people with mental illness and a forum where those living with anxiety and depression can come together to discuss their experiences.