I don’t want to say the world is in chaos, but it’s definitely not in sync or in peace right now.
With the recent events of the COVID-19 outbreak, the world and our individual world has taken a hard hit to the ego. Right now, we are all experiencing a variety of emotions and feelings that we may not know how to process/handle, because we really have no idea what is coming next. We don’t know when or what the new “normal” will be.
Quarantine:
A state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.
New Hampshire put a Stay at Home Order in place on March 27th, asking that we all stay home, and only go out for the necessary things — groceries, gas, medical emergencies. People are still allowed (that sounds so weird to me…) to go outside for walks, go for drives, and kind of go about their days as normal.
Right now is not a comfortable time for anyone, even for the introverts and homebodies. I’m a freakin’ homebody and this is driving me INSANE. I never realized how much I communicated / interacted with people on a daily basis, outside of my coaching times.
I miss going to coffee shops.
I miss going to the library or shopping.
I miss being able to meet up with my girlfriends.
I miss seeing my gym rats every day.
5 Strategies to Beat the Blues
Being in the house all day for multiple days in a row can be frustrating. I know for me if I don’t leave the house for a day or 2, I start to get irritable and my mood plummets. So to help prevent that from happening, here are a few things that I’ve been doing and that you can do too!
1. Create a Daily Schedule
Without a plan, chaos ensues…So if you want to keep yourself “busy” and sane during the next month, plan properly each day. Plan as if you were still going to work every day and doing your normal activities.
Set a schedule to:
1. Wake up at the same time every day,
2. Eat meals at consistent times each day
Then add in everything else around that, such as running errands, reading, working from home (if you still are able to), working on a hobby (I’ve been diving into crochet and sewing a lot more), going for a walk, working out, etc.
2. Wear Real Clothes
Do not and I repeat, do NOT wear sweatpants all day, every day.
I know if I am in a baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants, I am getting absolutely nothing done that day. They just promote laziness, there’s nothing wrong with being lazy every once in a while BUT when we’re on a month long quarantine, I think it’d become an issue…could you imagine just lying on the couch all day for 30+ days? Just the thought of that makes me cringe.
As they say, “dress for the job you want”…that can apply to our current situation too. Instead, dress for the day you want! Want to get shit done? Crush a to do list or just feel good? Dress it up!
3. Move
Please please please do not plop your ass on the couch all day and binge watch 10 different Netflix shows. Yes, please Netflix, but try to limit it to the end of the day when you’re winding down.
GET UP AND MOVE.
Working from home and at a desk all day? Get up every 30 minutes or every hour and MOVE. Walk around the house, run up and down the stairs, do some squats or push ups. I don’t know. Just move. Your body will thank you.
Do some home workouts. Whether you have equipment at your house or not, you can do a lot. Body weight, dumbbell, bands, or whatever you got! Fill a backpack with books and use that as a weight or gallon water jugs! Go for a run. Again, just move!
4. Get Outside
It’s April and the weather is getting a hell of a lot nicer out…which means it’s the PERFECT time to go out for walks or jogs! If you can’t get a walk in, just go outside and spend some time out there…even if it’s like 2 minutes. Breathe in that fresh air and soak in that sunlight!
I don’t have a yard at my apartment, but I do have a front porch. So I will take a book or my laptop out there and do some reading or work. The sun and nice weather can turn your mood around instantly…and seeing the sunshine from your window is not the same.
Go Outside. Now.
5. Keep in Touch
We’re being asked to participate in social distancing – stay home, don’t be in crowds of more than 10, keep a 6 foot distance between you and everyone else, etc.
Just because we are all being asked to stay home and not have any gatherings and whatnot, doesn’t mean that we can’t or shouldn’t keep in touch with family, friends, coworkers.
It’s 2020, we have all sorts of technology that allows us to call / message EVERYONE. And better yet, we can video call people! Though it’s not true face-to-face interaction, having the opportunity to do a video call with someone is far better than a regular phone call, in my opinion. Why? Because you can see their face, see their expressions, and actually feel connected!
Another way to keep in touch and stay connected with others while we’re being asked to practice social distancing is by joining a Facebook group or create one! There are so many groups out there and it’s nice to interact with people who are in similar situations. You may not even know them but they can be some of the most supportive people you’ll ever have.
Final Thoughts
Keep yourself active during this time of rest. Both mind and body.
Activate the mind…listen to podcasts, read a new book, journal, etc. Try to avoid the news, social media, binging TV, and anything that is’t going to benefit you.
Move your body…I know I’ve said this 1000x but I’m serious. You’ll feel so great if you get some sort of movement in each day.
We’re all in this together. Whether we like it or not…
If you’re feeling lost/stuck during this time, do not be afraid to reach out to those that are important to you. Do not be afraid to reach out to me if you need to just talk things out, I get it, it’s a frustrating / confusing / heartbreaking time for all of us.
