10 ways to stay motivated during COVID-19

10 ways to stay motivated during COVID-19

During these uncertain times due to COVID-19, we find ourselves stuck at home trying to flatten the curve. This has been a difficult time for everyone with people having to adjust to working at home or unfortunately they have been laid off.  It is extremely difficult to stay motivated during this unusual time. So, we’ve put together a list of 10 tips on how to stay motivated while staying at home.

1. Set a daily routine

It’s important to create a routine that you can stick to throughout the week, especially if you’re working from home. Having a routine can help you create a bit of normalcy. Examples of a good routine include waking up around the same time every day, exercising, meal planning, work (if you’re working from home), or learning something new (such as getting your TEFL).

2. Eat healthy good food 

It can be so tempting to simply eat frozen foods, snacks and desserts while sitting at home. Right now, it’s important to incorporate healthy food into your diet like fruit and vegetables. Eating healthy is important for your physical health especially for helping your immune system and also for your mental health.

3. Do some daily exercise

It can be very difficult to motivate yourself to exercise when you’re at home all day. But, if you do some form of physical activity every day, it could improve your mental health and give you something to focus on.  You can get loads of free workouts on YouTube and Instagram and there are plenty of options!  You could also do a class online with a friend to socialise while sticking to the guidelines!  Even if it’s only for 15 minutes, doing some exercise daily could help you with creating a routine and improving your day at home.

4. Take up a new skill

For the majority of us, staying at home has given us a lot more free time. It’s important to use this time to heal (this is unprecedented, after all). But we can also use it to be productive. Use this free time to your advantage by learning a skill or language you’ve always wanted to! There is plenty of free courses online, especially on Youtube.

stay motivated in covid

5. Get some fresh air 

Although the ‘stay at home’ restrictions can sometimes determine how far you can go outside, you should still try to get outside every day. Getting fresh air and spending some time in the sun is so important to both your physical and mental health. Even with a walk around the block, just by getting outside, you will greatly improve your mental health for the entire day. We recommend getting outside as part of your daily routine.

6. Take the time to do something for yourself 

Try putting aside at least 15 minutes every day to do something for yourself. Every person is different in how they approach this but write up a list of things that help relax and bring you peace. Some examples would be meditating, journaling, yoga, or even just taking a long bubble bath. Doing something for yourself will keep you motivated on a daily basis.

7. Make plans 

You don’t need to make concrete plans but have something to look forward to, this will really help with your mental health. You could write up lists of places you want to visit, things you want to do, people you want to see when this over, and so on. This would give you something to look forward to when COVID-19 is over. You don’t need to put a date on these lists as social distancing and restrictions are constantly changing but this could help brighten your day. For example, my list includes visiting Colombia, Paintball with friends, and going on a party boat!

Make plans in covid

8. Get in touch with friends and family

We may not be able to see our friends and family in person but are plenty of ways to keep in contact. One night a week you could organize a friend or family night giving you something to look forward to!  You could use plenty of different platforms to set up calls such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype so that everyone can be seen and heard. Simply chat to check in or play fun trivia games together!

9. Plan an international night 

For those of you who love to travel like us and are missing travelling this could be something exciting for you to do each week!  Every week pick a different country that you have always wanted to visit or have even visited and plan an international night. You could cook food from that country and then watch a movie that takes place there or has something to do with it.  You could do this with friends via Zoom and would be a great activity to do while social distancing. It’s a fun activity that involves your love for travel and gives you something to look forward to each week.

10. There are better days ahead 

If you are like so many impacted by COVID-19, then you may have unfortunately been laid off or had your hours cut in work. Instead of focusing on the negative turn this into a positive one and perhaps rethink what you want to do in the future. Would you like to try something new or find a different job? Have you always wanted to teach English abroad? Why not prepare for that now by using the free time to take a TEFL course.  This is a great opportunity to work towards making any changes you have ever wanted to make! Remember, stay motivated and stay safe.

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TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and it’s a certificate you need if you want to teach non-native speakers English. With a TEFL certificate, you can teach students of all ages – from young learners to adult business language learners – anywhere in the world. It’s recognised globally and is the key to kick-starting your English teaching career abroad, home or online.

To get a TEFL certificate you must take an accredited TEFL course. The minimum training required by employers worldwide is 120 hours. You can choose between accredited, government regulated Level 5 or combined TEFL courses. You’ll find TEFL courses are either online or combined in-class and online experiences. 

Getting a TEFL certification from a recognised, trusted provider is essential when it comes to receiving high-quality training and finding a job. Always go for a globally recognised accredited certification. It’s also worth double checking company reviews to make sure customers are satisfied with their training.

What’s the difference between accredited and government regulated Level 5 TEFL courses?

The Accredited 120 Hour Premier TEFL Course is what we call one of our fast-track courses. This is the minimum recognised worldwide.

  • You have 10 modules to complete usually taking 4-6 weeks.
  • Each module has a multiple-choice test at the end, and you need 80% to pass.
  • You’ll get your digital certificate on completion and can buy a hard copy from us if you’d like one with an embossed logo.

Level 5 Ofqual-regulated courses offer more in-depth training. If we look at the 180 Hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma in comparison: 

  • Learners typically spend 12 – 14 weeks to complete 11 modules.
  • The pass mark is 100% and assessments are multiple-choice plus open-ended answers. Don’t worry, you can redo quizzes to get 100%. Our academic team will review your answers at the end of your 11 modules and may ask for some questions to be reattempted. Some questions may require you to provide academic references.
  • You’ll get your digital coursework completion certificate from us after module 11. Following successful assessment from our academic team, we’ll be able to claim the licence for your Ofqual (government) certificate from our accreditation body Highfield.

The Ofqual-regulated Level 5 course range is for those who want to gain a higher-level, more recognised qualification.

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teachers teach English in non-native English speaking countries. TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) teachers teach English in native English speaking countries. CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is a separate qualification you can get to teach English.

TEFL: One of the most accepted certificates worldwide, this allows you to teach English to non-native speakers across the globe. 

TESL: As a TESL teacher, you would likely be teaching English in your home country to students who have moved or live in an English speaking country. In other words, they are continuously surrounded by the language and will be using it every day outside of the classroom, unlike TEFL students who are likely learning in their home country.

CELTA: A very prestigious certification that follows a strict regulation created by Cambridge University. You must complete a 120-hour TEFL course and six hours of teaching real ESL students. Most of the programmes are held over a month and are full time. However, you may be able to find some courses that are part-time and are spread over three months. Due to its intense nature and requirements, the cost tends to be much higher and can be up to €1700!

Yes! Teaching English as a foreign language – online or in-class – will give you an abundance of transferable skills. From time management to problem-solving and communication, you’ll have plenty of experience to impress future employers. As your TEFL certification never expires, you can get back into TEFL whenever you wish, too.



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