Deja Goode
Staff Writer
La Verne community members have found various ways to maintain their emotional well-being and mental health even while sheltered inside and socially distanced from friends and, well, everyone.
Students, staff and faculty members have been managing their day-to-day amid the coronavirus pandemic through creative expression, exercise and staying in touch virtually.
Zandra Wagoner, university interfaith chaplain, said she works to keep her body moving by going on walks with her dog and taking online yoga classes.
“This is a very difficult and anxiety-producing circumstance, so it’s important to practice grace and gentleness to ourselves during these times,” Wagoner said, “It’s about connection, care, and love.”
Virtual yoga sessions have become popular through Instagram Live, encouraging participation from anyone at any skill level, free of charge.
Abigail Humphrey, a senior English major, said she stays connected by doing her everyday routine which is making her bed, doing her makeup, and getting dressed for classes, even if they are only online.
Humphrey said doing this has been the biggest help when it comes to taking her mind off of the fear surrounding the pandemic.
“It gives me a reason to get out of bed and engage with people,” Humphrey said, “My energy has been focused on more positive people and things.”
Maintaining physical appearance has become a common trend in keeping up with emotional health. For many students, skin care and experimenting with various makeup has become a self affirming routine.
The importance of routine has been stressed from the beginning of self-isolation. However, it has also inspired new practices to be added to daily routines for a few ULV students.
Crafts such as sewing and knitting have become popular due to the need for face masks, but there are other forms of creative expression, such as for those who find their niche in the kitchen.
Taylor Vasquez, a sophomore educational studies major, said she has built up an interest in baking to keep herself busy.
“I made a whole apple pie from scratch and it tasted great, I was really impressed,” Vasquez said. “Some of them didn’t come out the way I wanted them to, but they are still yummy.”
There are various sites and mobile apps available for online resources during the pandemic that provide links to virtual therapy sessions, yoga sessions, and even online classes to enhance sewing and cooking skills.
The YouTube channel Magnolia uploads “Quarantine Cooking” episodes weekly that features family recipes that are easy to follow.
The Instagram account SurvivorsToolbox posts resources daily that are free and easy to join through a simple sign up link.
Design Improvised Studio gave 20 easy crafts to do during quarantine that includes common household items and the instruction guide to complete these projects, which can be found on their website designimprovised.com.
Deja Goode can be reached at deja.goode@laverne.edu.
