Since the start of the global pandemic, the risks of traveling has significantly increased. Spending too much time in a particular region, hotel, airport, or event, could result in you contracting the coronavirus and spreading it throughout your community. As a result, many countries and states have put restrictions and bans on travel to try and slow the spread. For those of us that like to travel, staying home for months at a time is likely easier said than done.
So, what do you do when you cannot travel? This issue is even bigger for individuals who travel for a living or as a way of life. Postponing your annual family vacation is one thing, but when getting away is a regular thing, you can feel lost. While this adjustment can be difficult to make, there are things you can do to occupy your time until things are safer.
Day Trips And Staycations
You may not be able to travel internationally or plan a week-long vacation out-of-state, but that does not mean that you have to remain in the house. Though you must still take health and safety precautions, you can transition to taking day trips or planning staycations. You may have been to the Bahamas, Italy, or Hawaii, but when was the last time you explored your home town?
Use this time to learn more about the history, arts, and culture of your state. Visit museums or art galleries, attend community events, find new places to go shopping, check out historical landmarks, go on a city tour, or simply indulge in some of the area’s finest alcoholic beverages and cuisine. Whether you stay for a few hours or overnight, it can still give you the physical and emotional benefits of traveling.
Personal, Professional, Or Academic Development
Are there areas of your life that you would like to improve? If so, now is the time to start working on these things. Maybe you have been eyeing a new position at your job that you would like to go after. Has your busy lifestyle made it difficult to return to school? Well, now is your chance. Perhaps you have been wanting to get your finances in order. Whatever the case is, all this down time has presented an opportunity to start accomplishing those goals.
If getting a masters in architecture is going to land you that senior position at your commercial development firm, then look into colleges you could attend. If you need to attend a few training courses to beef up your resume, there are plenty of professional and educational agencies offering affordable classes you could take advantage of. As for your finances, enroll in a few personal finance courses or consult with a financial advisor to get on the right path.
Passion Projects And Community Service
Another way you can keep busy while your travel plans are on hold is to help others. Focusing too much on personal problems can lead to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. However, doing something to help others can boost your mood.
While your travels may have exposed you to problems going on around the world, you would be surprised to learn how many problems there are right in your backyard. Particularly during the pandemic, people are in needy. Whether you start a non-profit to support low-income families find suitable housing, food, healthcare, and employment or you volunteer at the local soup kitchen, you’re doing a great service to your community.
The idea that you have to stop traveling, at least temporarily, is hard to deal with. This is especially true if you have always traveled for a living or for your career. While it may seem like an impossible feat, there are plenty of things you can do in the meantime. Do the right thing and remain close to home to safeguard everyone’s health. Instead, find constructive ways to occupy your mind and time until you can once again, do what you love.
