Right through Chennai's multiple lockdowns, people found creative ways beat boredom. For those with anxiety and depression issues, the lockdown proved to be particularly stressful. But many used this long break to add to their repertoire of talents.
Pooja Srinivasa Raja of OneLife NGO, says, “I’ve been taking short-term online classes on doodling and a friend of mine is taking colouring classes. It’s mainly to maintain my mental wellbeing during this pandemic. Also, I’m planning to write a book on my personal journey to combat mental illness, so I took up a course on writing too.”
Film actress and fitness enthusiast Kaniha, who has been inspiring people on social media to take up the plank challenge, shares details of her lockdown activity. “I am hugely inspired by great music and have been wanting to learn the keyboard for a while. I didn’t have any shootings scheduled because of the quarantine, so I found this the perfect time to enrol for keyboard classes,” she says.
Kavitha Vadivelu, a restaurateur known for her signature biryani, took the quarantine break as an opportunity to widen her culinary horizon. She honed her baking skills by taking up an online course. “I found it both therapeutic and gratifying. Learning has the unique effect of calming your mind and training your focus away from the immediate stress of situations,” she shares.
Chennai's wellness expert Dr Renuka David says “Lockdown or otherwise, we must always look forward to learning and upgrading ourselves. Learning doesn’t have to be the serious kind only. Something to focus your mind and enhance your personality is good. I learnt karaoke singing and Kuchipudi dance during the quarantine. I learnt seven minutes of a nine-minute piece via online classes and am looking forward to the dance journey.”
