Hallie Mayes
Lantern Staff
For many after binge watching your favorite movie series and finishing seasons of Tiger King or Outer Banks, you are ready for a change of scenery. It is now time to pick up the book you’ve been wanting to read, to lace up your shoes and go for a walk. But after those activities, what now? With the first lockdown in the past and quarantine lurking, companies have begun to shut their doors and move virtually, providing for the community in modernized ways.
You may have heard rumblings of the “quarantine body” full of ab circuits and workouts that swept the nation last April. With gyms starting to close down again in preparation of another possible lockdown, many gym chains across the country pose a new option for people to join classes virtually for free. Provided on gym aps such as Peloton, Gold’s Gym, Planet Fitness and Core Power Yoga these businesses are going above and beyond to help communities during this hard time. Free two-month trials, free online at home classes, as well as audio and video workouts with DJ mixes to get you ready to work up a sweat. Gyms are not the only companies adapting to the hard times.
As people are getting isolated, they look to the stars and find hope in the lyrics, actions and strong voices of today’s influencers. Because of the lack of in person concerts, the music industry has taken an interesting approach to persevering through 2020. The use of streaming sites has increased immensely as artists are able to give fans exclusive access to live video chats, performances and sneak peaks of unreleased albums. Artists such as Travis Scott offer free live streamed concerts for fans to interact with and view the performance. For example, Scott has paired up with Epic Games and held a live concert within the actual game of Fortnite.
“The lyrics in music made me feel alive during the lock down,” freshman Cole Resser said. “It made me feel less alone.”
Another fun indoor activity is Zoom painting! Not only have education classes gone online, but art studios have expanded their audience to beyond the studio walls. With lowered prices and in some cases free classes are being provided virtually. All you must do is sign up online and gather materials as instructed. Courses can be taken through studios such as The Art Academy, MoMA and Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Along with other companies, the world is becoming advanced and using creativity in a new way to adapt to the changing times. Maintaining mental health is a vital part of surviving 2020. Trying new activities and getting involved in remote opportunities you may never get to experience is a great way to enjoy the calm and slow lifestyle quarantine creates.
