As the effects of COVID-19 continue to evolve in our daily lives, we must all band together to adapt for the protection of ourselves, our families and our communities. While these unprecedented times are challenging, we can also choose to use this as an opportunity to find wellness and fun amidst the chaos.
Here are 5 ways our team at Stray Media Group is coming together to find those silver linings for sanity in our daily lives during the transition into more time spent staying home:
1. Communicating
In times of feeling isolated, communication with others is a powerful way to connect. If you’re working from home, like us, have video conference calls with coworkers or customers. This not only helps everyone stay on the same page when it comes to projects and tasks, but can also be a great way to break up your day and act as a stress reliever with some fun conversation…and a puppy always helps.
If you’re staying home and not working, use the extra time that you have to check in on family and friends, or even reach out to people you haven’t connected with in a long time. Communication with others helps break up what can become monotonous days spent alone indoors and help to keep your sense of connection and community strong.Â
2. Get Active
Find ways to move your body. Being active is not just a physical activity; it also helps to release stress and produce endorphins, both of which improve your mood and mental clarity.
Ideas for getting active:
- Go for a walk outside (while maintaining proper social distances)
- Train for a race (like the Grand Forks Marathon!) or sign up for a virtual race
- Find a yoga class online
- Do a free 30-day workout program
- Go for a bike ride
- Jog on a home treadmill
- Dance around your kitchen to your favorite music
- Lunge up the stairs
- Do some pushups and jumping jacks
- Play chase with your dog
- Plank on your kitchen chair
- Turn your home into a parkour gym
- Stand at the window waving at anyone…or no one
- Make some leg warmers and do the Jane Fonda workout video everyone is raving about
You get the idea – what you do is less important than just committing to do something each day. There are tons of free options online, or better yet, find your local health facilities or studios online and support them by purchasing a virtual class. Whichever suits you, find ways to get active and exercise throughout the day to keep your body strong and your mind agile.
3. Change Your Surroundings
Turn that frown upside down…figuratively, or follow in this cat’s genius footsteps and take it literally. Get up and move from your usual station to help break up your day and give you a change of scenery. If you’re working, move from your desk to your kitchen table for a couple of hours to avoid stagnation and keep your creativity flowing, or step outside for some fresh air and a walk around the block.
If you’re not able to work, avoid sitting in front of the TV all day and keep yourself busy with all of the projects at home you’ve been meaning to get to, do a puzzle, read some of a book or spring clean – and rotate through these as often as you like to keep yourself engaged.
4. Random Acts of Kindness
Think up some fun ways to show people in your life how much you love them…or how bored you are – you do you. Making sure to sanitize anything properly first, maybe write a letter or make a card for some good old-fashioned snail mail love. Know someone who is feeling down in the dumps with their face pressed up against their window? Give them something to look forward to and support your community by ordering a small care package from a local business. Hello, two birds; here is but one stone.
5. Turn Inward & Reflect
As we find ourselves with more alone time on our hands in the midst of these lifestyle changes, now is a perfect time to slow down, turn inward and reflect.
Spend some time journaling, meditating or taking some much-needed deep breaths throughout your day to help your body (and mind) stay grounded. These are all excellent tools that help you tune in to how you’re feeling and boost overall health and happiness.
We are in this together, and we will get through this together…one meme at a time. Find ways to take care of yourself, however big or small, so that you may also have the wellness you need in order to help to support your family, friends and community – and of course, your sanity.
