Editor’s note: What activities and practices have gotten us through the pandemic? What have we learned about ourselves during this dismal time? Baltimore Watchdog reporters wrote personal essays and interviewed people on this topic. Here’s what they found.
By Shelby Stack
It’s a freezing day in Upstate New York at the end of March 2020. My feet pound the pavement and my headphones are in. I’m listening to my favorite playlist as I jog through my neighborhood.
Throughout the pandemic I was searching for an activity that allowed me to establish goals, improve my mental health, be challenged and just get out of the house. Running was that activity for me during COVID-19, even though I had always found it to be boring and repetitive. As a Division I women’s lacrosse player, I have always been expected to work out and be in shape. Working out with teammates makes doing the running easier, so doing it by myself always felt like a struggle.
When my senior season got canceled, I lost motivation to work out regularly. I would sleep until noon, my classes were easy with the transition to online learning and in the mean time I would just lay in bed and watch TV. I came to the realization that running was something I enjoy, but also could be challenging. I set goals to get better at it. I found new routes to take because running in my neighborhood got boring. I got out of the house and cleared my head since this was the longest amount of time I spent at home in Syracuse, New York, in years.
I shopped online for running gear such as leggings, something to hold my phone, jacket and new sneakers (I know many other women can relate). I found a way to build running into my routine.
The most memorable run came in the beginning of April. I was at home in Syracuse. It was snowing, about 25 degrees out and I was sick of watching Netflix. There’s no gym in my house, so my options were limited. So running it was. I layered up. I had on my warmest Under Armour leggings, a long-sleeve shirt, Nike socks, my dad’s fuzzy sweatshirt with his work logo on it, my silver Asics and a Nike ear warmer. My Apple Watch was set to record my run.
I had my AirPods in with my favorite podcast playing, Serial. I prefer to listen to podcasts while running because listening to a murder mystery story can help pass the time. When I needed to get pumped up, I listened to “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. There was no certain distance or amount of time I wanted to run for, so I just started running. I was running around my neighborhood, but it is small with two loops connecting into one bigger loop. As I got through mile two I decided I wanted to change up the route and move to another neighborhood. After becoming bored with that, I ran to the middle school nearby that had a paved walk way in the back a half mile around. I ran continuously around this loop and lost track of time while listening to the story being told through my headphones. I was on the last episode of the season of Serial, and I was about to find out whether or not Sarah Koenig thought Adnan Syed committed the murder. Finally, I decided to make my way back to my house as it got darker and the snow was falling harder.
Breathing heavily, I looked down at my watch to see how far and long I had been running. I had run six miles in 58 minutes. The longest I had ever run before was about three miles and it was always a battle to get that far. I was tired, but at the same time felt such a rush of energy. In that moment, I realized running was something I could actually enjoy with the right tools.
During such trying times, it can be easy to become complacent. However, I found that running had value in more ways than one. I was able to be outside without wearing a mask, move my body and stay healthy, and take a time out from everything else going on. It has given me a natural high that is beneficial mentally and physically. This looks different for everyone, but finding a way to get that release is something I can take with me beyond a worldwide pandemic.
By Norma Sorto
There is a tennis court three minutes away from my house in Hyattsville, Maryland. For the past 16 years, Chillum Hills Park has been my go-to place to have fun with my family and friends. I grew up playing soccer with the neighborhood kids and taking daily walks around the concrete path surrounding the tennis court with my mom and little sister. I am lucky to have a park close to my house. I never realized it until the pandemic started back in March.
Last summer, the only place I felt comfortable going outdoors was Chillum Hills. Once the clock hit 5 p.m., I went to the tennis court to play tennis by myself. I got my mask, Wilson tennis racket, water bottle and at least five tennis balls. I rode my bike to the park, passing by my neighbors’ houses and cars. I put all my stuff down on the ground. To get myself ready, I did arm stretches to warm up.
The most crucial step was to play my workout playlist. I got my phone and put my AirPods on. I got into the zone as if I’m playing for the U.S Open. I need to play music to feel motivated. I usually listen to K-pop songs because most songs are upbeat and full of energy. As soon as I listen to BTS “On,” I started hitting the ball to the backboard.
By now, it was nighttime. The sun began to set. I played tennis for at least three hours by myself. I usually like playing by myself since I am the only one in my family who plays tennis. I played until my hand and arms were sore, but that didn’t stop me from playing. I listened to the last song, “Win” by Ateez, on my playlist; I had a lot of adrenaline. My goal was to keep balance and not hit the ball over the fence. As the song hit its climax, I hit the ball as hard and fast as possible. The song ended, and I hit the ball one more time. I sat down to catch my breath.
Even though tennis is a two or four-player sport, I like playing by myself. I am the only one in my family who enjoys playing tennis. I rarely see my friends because of the pandemic. Playing tennis is a therapeutic activity. Every time I hit the ball, I feel like all my emotions tend to bottle up go away. I like playing tennis by myself because it is the only time to relieve my stress. I tell myself that the more I push myself, I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. Unfortunately, last April, my family and I got sick because of the virus. It was an experience that I try to forget. I was ill for two weeks and couldn’t leave the house. I felt anxious because as soon as you get sick, there’s no medicine you can take to make the virus go away. I lost my sense of taste and smell. I had trouble breathing. I was also still in school, so the amount of stress I went through affected my mental health. Fortunately, I got better by drinking my mother’s herbal tea and eating chicken soup.
The moment I got better, I wanted to gain my endurance and energy back. I have spent most of my time indoors since March. I needed a break from computer screens and also my family. I love my family with all my heart, but I also need time for myself. Going to play tennis by myself was a much-needed routine to gain my sanity and health back. It has helped me feel better about myself. I realize how important it is to take care of your mental health, especially when everything is uncertain.
By Devon Douglas
With life altered in many ways, there hasn’t been much to do over the last year other than stay in the house and binge-watch Netflix. However, at the start of the pandemic, I chose a different route. I decided to improve my confidence through playing soccer. The pandemic was an opportunity for me to no longer be hesitant and work towards my goal of becoming a professional soccer player.
Growing up, I was known as “Devon the soccer player” by my family. I played for 17 years on travel teams and at my high school. I hoped to play in college, but I originally never planned to play professionally. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to play in college for a Division I program, and that disappointed everyone in my family. It led to arguments about money wasted on recruiting camps. I regretted not training hard enough.
I attended Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, and stopped playing for the entire year I was there. However, once I transferred to Towson University in fall 2019, I decided to play for the men’s club soccer team. Playing there I started to regain my passion for the sport. In the summer I looked to further improve my skills and trained with the Baltimore Kings Soccer Club U-23 team, a small non-league professional team based in Baltimore. From that exposure I was offered a yearlong professional contract in August 2020. I knew I could play with and against more skilled players. I wanted to play for a high-level team in an actual league and call the sport my job.
To achieve this, I started to write short-term and long-term goals in my journal. I watched YouTube videos on how to improve in the areas I lack such as long passing, directional first touch, finishing and playing without fear. I analyzed games and footage of players that play my position to see their movements in certain situations.
To condition my body like a professional, I lifted weights at Planet Fitness every day at 9 p.m. Two days a week I did three sets of 10 repetitions doing squats and calf raises with a machine. For my quads and hamstrings I did leg curls and leg presses. I also worked on my upper body twice a week by doing three sets of 10 repetitions of bicep curls, bench press and two-minute planks. Lastly, I did a mental exercise by telling myself that I can achieve anything. I’ve always been a talented player but confidence is something that can elevate my game to the next level.
To practice my skills, I would go to Westlake High School in Waldorf, Maryland, five days a week and play for two hours. I practiced dribbling, shooting, passing and awareness. I also used a foot latter to improve my agility and ran twice a week for 30 minutes at the Indian Head trails to improve my endurance. Whether it was snowing, raining or sunny, I was determined to train.
Part of my training is to watch my diet which is hard to do because I love to explore Baltimore and Washington D.C. for new food spots. The company Hello Fresh became the perfect alternative for me. They deliver healthy and prepped meal kits to homes. I always get pork tacos, chicken and meatballs for protein. All the food is rationed and made with healthy ingredients. My mom pays around $80 per box every month for four recipes.
To test my training, I started to attend open professional tryouts. I attended a tryout for Loudoun United FC in Leesburg, Virginia. The team plays in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the U.S. I impressed the coaches and they invited me to the invitational only tryouts the following day. There I played with some of the best players in the country: national team players, former professionals and Division I college players. I made it to the final tryout. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the team. However, it was a great experience that boosted my confidence.
Now, I’m trying out for Reading United AC, a team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. They play in a developmental league for aspiring professional soccer players. I attended the first of three tryouts and impressed the coaches, one of whom told me he thinks I’ve got a good chance to make the team. Hearing that almost made me cry. I’ve been constantly working on my craft and my confidence every day. So his words are proof that I’ve made progress. I doubted myself for years but I saw the pandemic as an opportunity to improve myself and work towards my goals. Eventually, I plan to play in South Korea and bask in their beautiful culture.
Through all of this I learned to be more confident in myself as a player and person. The pandemic made life abnormal but instead of sulking I chose to be productive. I think it’s important for everyone to use this time to achieve their goals, chase their dreams and improve themselves.
By Laura Lydic
The pandemic has been difficult, especially in terms of my mental health. I’ve spent a lot of time at home by myself. It’s been easy to feel depressed. There has been a silver lining. I am am introvert, so I’ve found myself well rested and recharged. But I often felt the need to do more than binge-watch television shows. I need an activity that was healthier.
I found that activity: yoga.
My cousins and friends recommended it to me. And I’m glad they did. Taking that time for myself, getting up and moving around, has been the best part of my day. So much so that I often do morning and evening yoga.
I started in April when classes went fully online. I did research before starting yoga, looking at different poses and how to do them using Pinterest. I found printable yoga routines for morning and evening. This made it quite simple for me to get yoga in twice a day. My mental health improved almost immediately.
At first, I would go into my living room and open the curtains to let the sunlight in. I would then go through the morning routine. Eventually I started going outside for morning yoga. Feeling the breeze, grass and sunlight really made morning yoga even more enjoyable than before. This started with child’s pose, which is a kneeling pose with a bend at the waist and arms stretched out forward. I would then go through another 35 poses. After following the routine, I would end with meditation. I would use this time to clear my head and prepare for my day.
Evening yoga was similar — it also ended in mediation. But the beginning pose was hero pose. This pose is a kneeling pose with hands placed on your knees. These routines helped me relax, and I even got better sleep since I started doing yoga in the evening as well. I enjoyed doing evening yoga in the living room with the curtains open. Seeing the moon and stars was even more relaxing in preparation for my bedtime routine.
I always just used this time as me time. I did yoga by myself and used it as a time to relax and recharge. This was beneficial with everything happening at the time. The pandemic caused worry and stress. Then the news of unrest in our country was a further source of stress and worry. Finding an activity where my mind could be elsewhere was exactly what I needed. I was around my family a lot, and I needed to find some time for myself. Walking away and doing yoga in a room alone really helped with that.
Picking up this activity gave me a deeper sense of my personal needs with regards to my mental health. Learning an activity that helped me and then prioritizing that taught me and gave me way more than just having a fun activity for myself. I learned to prioritize my day and put my mental health above all else. That is a useful lifelong lesson I can apply to my life long after we return to normal and reopen after the pandemic.