No one expected just how big of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic would have on the whole world. From the way we form relationships to the way we perform our jobs, the sheer tragedy of a pandemic has seeped into pretty much every aspect of our lives. Whether we like it or not, things have changed and what used to be normal is now in our past. The way we conduct ourselves right now and how we’ll have to do it in the future are two different things. We will have to keep adjusting as a society. However, things are not entirely bleak — rather than a complete disaster, these events can be seen as an opportunity to make the world a better place.
You can be one of the leaders to make the change. You can help create the kind of society that is safer, more equal, and better prepared for challenges that are to come. Here’s how to ensure that we have a better future.
1. Invest in green solutions.
We saw how Mother Nature starts recovering as soon as she’s left alone for a while. While the worldwide lockdowns were stressful, to put it mildly, they helped clear air pollution and showed us that we have the power to shift the tide and slow down the spread of climate change.
Experts say that the very pandemic itself is a result of human negligence towards nature and that COVID-19 might not be an isolated case if we don’t change our ways. So, if you want to build a better world, adopting eco-friendly habits and advocating for the preservation of nature should be your first step.
2. Learn more about medicine and science.
Now more than ever, we see how important doctors and nurses are. Respecting these professions and allowing these people to do their jobs safely and effectively will keep all of us safe and ensure a better future.
If you’re a medical professional, consider advancing your knowledge. If you already finished a basic life support course, you could sign up for a Pediatric Advanced Life Support course to learn more about treating children in emergency situations. Even if you have never worked in healthcare, you can still support our doctors and nurses by donating masks, sanitizers, and cleaning supplies to hospitals, and by simply taking care of yourself and staying home during the pandemic.
3. Help your fellow human beings.
Change starts small. You don’t have to reorganize your entire life and make a grand gesture to be able to make a difference. Doing small good deeds every day will require almost no effort on your part but still contribute to bettering the world.
If you don’t know how to help, start with your friends and neighbors. Cook a meal for them, offer to babysit their kids, do a grocery run — these are all easy but small acts of kindness that encourage positivity. If we start helping each other even on such a small level, we’ll build a strong community that gives support to those in need and helps everyone thrive.
4. Volunteer locally.
If you want to take an extra step and really dedicate a part of your life to helping those in need, we recommend that you start volunteering. There are numerous ways you can volunteer right now. Cook or deliver meals to seniors in need, become a medical volunteer in a hospital, or volunteer in Food Banks all over the country.
If this doesn’t feel safe, you can also volunteer from home. A foundation called All For Good gives you various opportunities to sign up and help those in need and do it all from home. So you can take a look at their website and find something to suit you. If you don’t have enough time to volunteer, you could also donate. Everything from old books and clothes to cans of food is needed at times like these. You can also donate blood, medical supplies, or medical equipment.
5. Maintain flexible work schedules.
Working from home has become the new normal for a lot of people all over the world, and this is one change that society can actually benefit from. More flexibility in the workforce can make us all well-rested and productive as well as help both companies and workers manage their time better. Not only will people have more free time which they would otherwise spend in transit, but this could also help lower CO2 emissions and make it easy to balance our careers with our family life.
It will take time for the world to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, but we can make the process smoother and easier. Let’s build a better future for ourselves and our children and do all that’s in our power to help society recover.
Featured image via cottonbro on Pexels
