This year has been an incredibly challenging one, to say the least. I don’t feel like listing all the crap we’ve had to put up with but it’s been a lot. One of the biggest struggles for some of us has been trying to stay positive and not slip into despair. “Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during AprilāJune of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. Elevated levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal ideation were reported by adults in the United States in June 2020. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorder was approximately three times those reported in the second quarter of 2019,” the CDC reports. It’s easy to focus on all the negativity, especially when you’re watching the news or scrolling through social media. As we enter the winter, with more states going back into stricter quarantine restrictions as coronavirus cases rise, it’s important that we stay positive and look out for one another. We can make it through this winter if we focus on the positive things in our lives and find that silver lining. Because it’s there. Sometimes it just requires a change in perspective to see it. We just need to help each other to keep going and stay positive. Humans have an incredible ability to create light and love even in the darkest of times. And this year hasn’t been all bad if you think about it. There have been lots of people working to keep others in good spirits and there have been lots of beautiful moments to be thankful for. We’ll make it through if we stick together… keep going and stay up!According to the CDC, about 40 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse in late June 2020.
Here are some resources that can help:
Here are 35 moments of joy experienced during the coronavirus pandemic to help you beat the quarantine blues:
1) Balcony Singing
2) Dogs!
3) SGN
It featured news from us, people around the world who were doing nice things, fun things, and happy things for each other. Krasinski also went out of his way to make sure to brighten people’s spirits but doing nice things for random people like hosting an online graduation, a wedding, and introducing a girl to the cast of Hamilton after the show she was supposed to go to got canceled. SGN also featured some big-time celebrities like Oprah and Steven Spielberg. Not only that but it gave us something America has been longing for… a reunion of the cast of The Office. In its heyday, SGN was a beautiful moment in time during a very scary moment in time thanks to quarantine hero Krasinski who reminded us that “good news can be found anywhere.”
4) Creative Hugging
5) Running Errands For Each Other
āMy lovely downstairs neighbour just held this sign up to me while I was on a teleconference working from my desk… Posted by ABC News onTuesday, March 24, 2020 We found this in the mailbox today. Social distancing doesnāt mean you stop looking out for your community. Stay safe and stay kind, everyone ā„ļø pic.twitter.com/WzHQx7nStX — suleikajaouad (@suleikajaouad) March 15, 2020
6) Verzuz, Especially RZA vs. DJ Premier
It really felt like we were at our favorite club for a little while even though most of us were sitting on our couches. It also brought back some nostalgic memories when our favorite songs were played and gave us a chance to have some at home fun. Verzuz is the brainchild of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland and we thank them for putting these battles between our favorites like Patty LaBelle and Gladys Knight together. Learn more about how Verzuz became a quarantine phenomenon here.
7) Drive-By Birthdays
8) Virtual Concerts
“Without support from Congress, 90% of NIVAās independent venues across America say they will close their doors forever,” the National Independent Venue Association says. Learn how to support and protect your local stages and venues here. Until they open up again, we’re thankful for the mini-concerts we’re getting from our favorite artists online.
10) Community Spirit
11) Comedy Heroes
12) Being Your Own Best Friend
Grandma on Tik Tok sings 'Happy Birthday' to herself Grandma sings 'Happy Birthday' to herself amid coronavirus quarantine: "It's my birthday today, and I'm alone because of the virus." HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORMA! https://gma.abc/2x3tOGJ Posted by WJCL News on Friday, August 28, 2020
13) Reunions
14) Collections
Click on the article to see the pictures.During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Avid Collectors Find Joy in Their Prized… Posted by Cheryl Maplethorpe onFriday, November 13, 2020 Been 9 months in quarantine because of covid. When it started I thought I wouldn’t be getting any figs until it was over. Looking at them now though… Hahaha i’m thankful! These guys gave me joy during a bad time, mental health wise. My covid arc figs⨠from AnimeFigures
15) Yelling Compliments at Strangers
My daughter and her neighbor friend spend a lot of the day sitting 6 feet away from the sidewalk, shouting compliments out at strangers who walk by. It's the right mood for these times. Just overheard: "YOUR SHIRT MATCHES YOUR DOG AND I LIKE THAT ABOUT YOU!" — Bret Turner (@bretjturner) April 21, 2020 Source: Celebrity Quarantine Videos
16) The Little Things
17) True Love in the Time of Corona
That’s why so many nursing home had to prevent visitors from coming inside their facilities. This meant that some spouses couldn’t even see each other. But that didn’t stop people from being with their true loves. One woman got a job as a dishwasher just so she could see her husband and another man came to his wife’s window to sing for three hours a day. Nothing can stop true love. Not even COVID.
18) FDNY Guitar Tribute to Hospital Workers
19) The Memes
20) Tiger King
21) DIY Holiday Staycations
22) Patient Discharge Celebrations
23) Mobile Weddings
24) Lasagna Mamas and Papas
I've been doing this for months now, but some stories still make me cry. Like this one.Huge thank you to Christine at… Posted by Good to Mama onFriday, October 23, 2020
25) Zoom Fails
Poor Jennifer, she's not used to this new life yet. š š š pic.twitter.com/rHqGtITNSz — Mike Lasley (@ybamik) March 21, 2020
26) Working From Home
27) Baking Bread
28) Community Refrigerators
The Community Refrigerator today. We also have turkeys if you need one. You can take what you need and give what you can. Thank you! Posted by Dan's Smokehouse Page onMonday, November 9, 2020
29) Virtual Dance Parties
30) Take Out
When the pandemic first hit people were going strong trying to buy up gift cards and take out to make sure their favorite eateries stayed afloat which was a really beautiful thing. Hopefully, our government will do their part to help these hardworking people and the places we love too. Also, how FREAKING AWESOME is it that we can now get to-go cocktails and margs from our fav restaurants. The answer? SO AWESOME!
Here we go again!! To go margaritas only $7.99, with your support we will make it!!!⤠Posted by Antigua Mexican Grill onSaturday, October 31, 2020
31) COVID Fashion
32) Survival Playlists
33) Learning New Things
34) Virtual Happy Hour
So…my wife and her girls have been having these VIRTUAL HAPPY HOURS. How I imagined them vs whatās really been happening š¤£š¤£š¤£ #VirtualHappyHour #QuarantineCuties #AloneTogether #DontRushChallenge pic.twitter.com/7UwhLgZjsM — Will Packer (@willpowerpacker) April 3, 2020
35) Doing What You Love