With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on our future plans and all the things we were looking forward to at the end of the school year, maintaining a positive attitude becomes harder and harder by the day. Especially for seniors, with the cancellation of graduation, prom, and more, it’s becoming ever more important that we try to look on the bright side. We know, we know, easier said than done, right? Well, here’s a couple of tips to stay positive while waiting for quarantine to end.

   According to a popular Jewish blog, one of the most important things to do in quarantine is to find ways to stay connected with loved ones. “For every person who’s going stir crazy in their apartment, the good news is that you’re not alone and can easily call a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor who’s stuck in the same boat” (aish.com). As we can’t see each other’s smiling faces at school anymore, you can always reach out through other means, such as FaceTime, Zoom, or a regular old phone call.

   Another good tip to keep in mind is the importance of exercising. Staying cooped up in the house all day is not only mentally tiresome, but it’s doing damage to your body as well. Alongside physical health, exercising goes hand in hand with mental health too, as it can help release chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, which can help better your mood, ultimately helping with conditions like depression and anxiety. No gym? No problem. There are thousands of resources out there on the internet, from yoga videos to weightlifting at home, so there’s no excuse not to get active.

   In addition to exercising and staying connected, a helpful tip to keep yourself busy is to start exploring. Rather than using this time to dwell on the future and everything that’s been canceled or postponed, a more productive and positive use of time would be to start doing all of the things you’ve been putting off. Let’s face it, you’ve got the time. Whether it’s going through and organizing your room, baking something you’ve never tried before, or putting in the effort to learn a new language, now is as good a time as any to do all the things you’ve been wanting to but haven’t had the time. Just remember to follow the social distancing guidelines and stay inside as much as possible.

   Last, but certainly not least, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind, and to remember that you’re not going through this alone. Everyone from California to New Mexico, and all across the globe is going through the same thing. A special note to seniors: it’s not just UC High that’s had to cancel all of the fun senior activities — every high school in at least the United States has had to do so as well. Every senior from the class of 2020 is experiencing these exact same feelings. It’s hard to miss out on these important milestones in life, and it’s okay to let yourselves feel these emotions fully. The best thing we can all do to stay positive is to remember that, whether we like it or not, we’re all in this together, and so long as we stay positive, we will get through this.