Some unique challenges have sprouted due to the pandemic, and because of people’s innovative minds and creativity, they can find solutions to solve them. However, it is not yet clear whether if this is for the best.
But one thing is for sure: these changes are here to stay. Pandemic has changed the way people live their lives, and they will stay, regardless of the virus spreading or not.
Mental Health Challenges
One of the main lifestyle challenges right now is mental health. Studies have shown that there have been increases in stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness compared to the years before the pandemic. The main problem right now is how one deals with it.
Before, psychological services are widely available. Physical sessions could easily be done, and walk-ins are particularly normal. Additionally, many organizations have been vocal with mental health, increasing mental health awareness throughout the country. This incentivizes Americans to seek mental health services whenever they have problems.
Various organizations are trying to solve mental health problems in the US through online counseling and mental health webinars. Online counseling gives people a chance to talk with mental health professionals regarding their problems. In contrast, mental health webinars are utilized to inform the public about what they can do to improve their mental health. Both are proven to successfully control the tide of increasing mental health problems in the country.
Challenges with Obtaining and Keeping Food
Today, people no longer acquire the ingredients they need in a local grocery store. They now do a lot of takeouts. The pandemic has doubled the demand for food delivery apps all over the country. More and more Americans order take-out because of its accessibility and affordability. But options for take-out are limited. This is why they innovate some food they order the most in take-outs, just like pizza.
Pizza can be an unhealthy option for most, but that’s why there are vegetarian options for pizza delivery. Other than that, some parlors can even deliver pizza that you’ve customized yourself.
Moreover, frozen pizza is an option if you want to conserve some of it throughout the day. It’s great if you want to stick to a budget or if you’re following a calorie-strict diet. The best part about frozen pizza is that you can reheat it any time of the day. It can last for many days, making it great for conserving food during the pandemic.
Frozen food and meal kits are becoming increasingly more popular nowadays. As stated earlier, frozen pizza is an option for most people, but there are other options. Frozen food is one of the best ways to preserve food, especially for families who live a busy life or follow a strict budget. There is a great demand for it. This is the same for meal kits, which can be stored in your fridge for a couple of days before cooking them.
These changes are solutions to the problems of obtaining and keeping food during this pandemic. Quarantine restrictions have limited the options, especially now that people can’t go to grocery shops easily. These solutions are cheap and affordable. They can also be distributed as various meals throughout the week.
Work at Home
Work at home is something new for most employees in the US. Before the pandemic, 47% of employees spend zero hours on remote work. However, right after the pandemic, 44% of employees now spend more than five days a week doing remote work. This shows the rapid change they experienced in work.
There are some disadvantages in working at home, despite more employees demanding that they keep doing it after the pandemic. Companies report a decrease in productivity among remote workers. There has also been increased stress from some workers who have never done remote work before. Addressing these problems come in the form of administrative apps and collaborative tools.
Collaborative tools have made it possible for managers to keep track of their remote employees’ progress in various projects. It’s also utilized to keep them working on their tasks instead of slacking off. Administrative apps ensure that employee schedules won’t be a mess during the pandemic. This is crucial for organizing executive positions.
Will Things Ever be ‘Normal’ Again?
This question depends entirely on what is “normal.” If your idea is normal is how everyone lived before the pandemic, the answer to that question is no. However, experts believe that this is the new normal the world will experience in the future or until the virus has been addressed.
The solutions that people have made this year are creative, and all are essential to their daily lives. It shows their creativity and ability to adapt to any given scenario. Moreover, if you ever think about it, the way you live has been changing every year that passes by. More than ten years ago, you might not have relied on digital things, but now you do.
These changes prove the innovations humans have done and are a prime example of why they evolve. So don’t be stuck on what is “normal” a couple of years ago. Instead, concentrate on what is normal now. You’ll see that these changes have made life much easier.
