CHALLENGES
A combination of both remote working and insufficient decent living spaces blurred the boundaries between work and life. Generally, people struggled to maintain social ties and constant contact with their social circles due to mobility restrictions. It has also led to the rupturing of several relationships such as for couples or family members resulting from tension from a sudden shift to being stuck with each other during the lockdown. However, the same situation has brought some people even closer such
The pandemic has also been an obstacle to major life plans or or grasping important opportunities in personal, professional and academic life.

OPPORTUNITIES AND COPING HABITS
Respondents shared that the time they spent stuck indoors allowed them to accomplish things they otherwise would not have the time or energy for. This included rekindling and strengthening relationships, self-reflection and discovery, creating new networks, and learning new skills or improving old ones. It has also brought shifts in their attitudes and or in their personal perspectives.
Most of them developed new habits like :
Cooking

Reading

Practice yoga, meditation

Going for a walk

All these newly-developed activities were mostly reported to have been integrated into everyday life post-lockdown, thus entailing long-term effects and benefits. Specific skills have also been heavily-relied on to go through this tough period and the most common ones include problem-solving skills, creativity, adaptability, patience, and stress management. Respondents also expressed interest in further developing these soft skills in order to be more resilient when faced with eventual difficult situations.

WAY FORWARD
When asked about their future outlook, an overwhelming majority of our participants feel optimistic. The Happy Habits project aims to build on this and the collective lessons learned and experiences lived by each individual, in order to move forward more prepared for the future.
To download the full report click HERE