Check In with Yourself
We can get so caught up in what’s going on in the world around us that we forget to check in on ourselves. Setting aside time, even as little as five minutes a day, to be still and silent, assess how we’re feeling, what our priorities are, and how we relate to the world can help us feel grounded and centered. As in the best of times, outlook is everything!
Do Something Creative
We can easily become stuck in a rut when we’re confined to a few locations. But this is the perfect time to get our creative juices flowing! It can be anything from art to music to landscaping to dancing. Literally any medium that allows you to create something from your own imagination will do the trick. Express yourself to connect to your inner world!
Stay Active
It can seem natural to do something relaxing like watching TV or reading for hours on end when we’re staying home. There’s nothing wrong with that but we need to make sure to exercise our bodies as well as our minds throughout the day. Any effortful movement including bike rides, walks, or mat activities like pilates or yoga will be extremely beneficial to your overall well being.
Keep in Touch
We may believe we are isolated during a lockdown and while that may be physically true, we have the technology to reach out to friends and family with ease. Staying in touch with our loved ones is crucial to our mental wellness and should be done regularly. Simply knowing how others are doing during a shared difficult time can improve our outlook, giving both parties a generous gift.
Eat Well
We are the food we eat and it’s more of a challenge to resist cravings when we’re surrounded by it all day at home. But, if we stock our pantry shelves with healthy options there’s no need to! Ensuring we have plenty of fresh produce in our fridge as well as all natural snack options in our cupboards means we’re setting ourselves up for nutritional success. Taking the time to cook meals from scratch is another great step towards this end and allows you the greatest freedom to try whatever your heart (and stomach) desire.
Listen To Your Body
If this is a habit for you already, great! If not, this can be an excellent time to start. Listening to your body simply means feeling into its myriad of sensations with objectivity, indifference, and detachment. Good or bad, sharp or dull, pinpoint or diffuse, allow yourself to be open to feeling all of them with equanimity. Sink as deep as your curiosity beckons.
Spend Time in Nature
The great outdoors are a great outing destination under any circumstances but even more so when we’re confined most of the time. Gentle exercise in those wide open spaces surrounded by fresh air and the sights, scents, and sounds of the wilderness is a remarkably calming and healing experience. So, make sure you pack enough water and a trail snack and get out there!
Catch Up on Home Projects
Spending more time at home is a great opportunity to catch up on any projects that have been on the back burner for a while. Not only does it feel great to be productive, but the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction upon completing items on your to-do list is one of the little pleasures of life.
Connect with Your Neighbors
Staying at home doesn’t have to mean staying disconnected. While it’s best to keep households quarantined from each other, that doesn’t mean households can’t interact with each other! Anything that maintains social distancing, such as leaving gifts at each others’ doors or playing games like badminton or volleyball over a shared backyard fence, offers an excellent opportunity for genuine human connection.
Find a New Hobby
Have you been curious about a novel pastime but never had the time to try it out? Go for it now! You don’t have to be the next Picasso to enjoy painting but you’ll never know if you don’t start. Listen to your heart on this and remember, the goal is to enjoy yourself.