My TOP 5 TIPS to Stay Healthy - In Mind & Body
These are unprecedented times we face together as a community.
A virus brought the planet to a jarring halt. There’s much discussion about the “new normal,” as if this situation fits any definition of normal. This is a period of collective pause - to protect our essential workers and our communities. This pause may bring fear, anxiety, depression, uncertainty. However, it also brings opportunities - to reconnect with old friends and loved ones, to slow the insane pace of our lives, and re-examine our routines and priorities.
Here are my top 5 tips to thrive and stay healthy in mind and body as we continue to practice physical distancing.
1. Set and keep a daily routine. Wake up and go to sleep at the same time each day. Make your bed. Keep your daily healthy routines every single day. Habits and routines are especially important when we’re facing uncertainty and upheaval.
2. Re-imagine & re-invent your life. This is a good time to re-think and re-evaluate how and where you typically spend your time. Consider and prioritize what is truly most important to you. Are you allocating your time to support these priorities or do you feel pulled away and not in control of your time? Right now, when life is moving at a slower pace for some of us, is the perfect time to take a birds-eye view of our day-to-day lives. Identify what truly brings you joy and purpose and find ways to do more of it. You have the power to CHOOSE how you spend at least a portion of your valuable time so ensure you use it in ways that bring you joy, purpose and/or self-fulfillment.
3. Keep a gratitude journal. The most powerful two hours of your day are the first hour after waking and the last hour before bed. They are the bookends that mark how you spend and mentally frame your day as well as the quality of rest you get at night. Try this simple 2-3 minute exercise:
In the morning, write:
- 3 things you are grateful for
- 3 actions you can take to make the day great
- a daily affirmation - a statement of what you want in your life.
In the evening, write:
- 3 amazing things that happened that day and
- what could you have done to make the day even better.
The latter reinforces that you have the power to change your perception of the past and influence the future. For reference, I use this journal and I LOVE it https://amzn.to/2Vde511
4. Stay socially connected while physically distancing. I personally dislike the term social distancing. I believe we need to do the opposite right now - stay SOCIALLY connected with family and loved ones. It's amazing to see that technology and social media are being used in so many positive ways right now. Virtual dinners, happy hours, parties with Facetime/Skype/Zoom can help rekindle relationships. Phone calls seem to be more welcome now than in a long time. Reach out, connect, and share your difficult moments and triumphs with someone important to you. It’s an ideal time to call an old friend and catch up.
5. Be active every day. If you can safely get outdoors, then do so. Of course, follow physical distancing rules and your state and/or local government's quarantine rules, but get out for fresh air. Try a new form of exercise - get on a bike, go out for a swim, do a bodyweight strength workout, hit an old punching bag that's been lying around your garage (that last one is directed at myself - I hung up an old bag that's been lying around the garage). Schedule active time - put it on your calendar, verbally share it with someone to make yourself accountable - whatever helps you keep moving. Look at it as a very important appointment that you can't cancel.
I'd love to hear from you. What is helping you and your loved ones navigate this quarantine in a healthy way? What are your tips to thrive, not just survive, right now?
"this too shall pass"