QUARANTINE SELF CARE
We’ve been homebound for months now…
And it’s really starting to register how important it is to establish a daily routine. Easier said than done, of course. But worth the effort. Giving your days some sort of structure helps create a sense of normalcy and comfort. In fact, back in March 2019 (nearly a year before the Covid-19 shutdown) National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published a comprehensive article on the subject written by Katherine R. Arlinghaus, MS, RD and Craig A. Johnston, PhD. They argued that establishing routines and habits was at the heart of all meaningful change.
That is no different now.
And so we’re sharing some simple self-care tips to keep the positive energy flowing while you’re social distancing:
DAILY INTENTION:
Wake up each day with a purpose. Even if your world has been turned upside down, you have the ability to control how you react to those changes. Establish a simple mantra or intention that you can focus on throughout the day. It can be something as simple as “I’m going to think of something that makes me smile” or “I’m going to reach out to one person every day to say hello.”
ESTABLISH ROUTINES
We know! Your world has been turned upside down. It’s difficult enough to get dinner on the table before 9pm some nights. Accept the new normal, and find a way to establish some new routines. Even something as simple as making your bed, or getting showered and dressed before breakfast can help put your day on the right track. If you’re working from home, commit yourself to keeping regular hours. If you’re currently unemployed, set aside a chunk of each day to bettering yourself through education or networking or yoga (!!) or whatever.
NOTICE YOUR BREATHING
Set a timer on your phone so it buzzes once every hour. Let this be a reminder to breathe! When the timer goes off, stop whatever it is you’re doing, close your eyes, and take 3 deep breaths. You’d be amazed how effective this can be in lowering anxiety, and improving your outlook. (P.S. - this is a great habit to carry with you when normal life resumes.)
STAY HYDRATED
Us yogis know all about hydration, and are often the ones chiding our friends and family about getting enough water throughout the day. But without the hot room reminding us, it’s all too easy to forget. Remember to drink plenty of water.
EAT WELL
Obvious, perhaps… but all too easy to ignore. Especially now that we’re trapped inside, our metabolism may be shifting. Without a steady workout routine and the rigors of regular daily life, our bodies are stuck coping with the reality of our new output. Most of us aren’t burning as many calories as we had been, which means we also need to be aware of your input. Take the time to plan out your meals throughout the week, and don’t forget to try out new recipes. A few sites to explore:
Diversity Kitchen - bodē practitioner Danielle Ginét Alex is a chef/yogi/blogger who shares her incredible recipes on her
Health Chef Lindsey - fitness-focused, professionally-trained chef who incorporates “superfoods” in most of her recipes. Seasonally-focused recipes to spice up mealtime.
GET A PLANT
This may sound silly, but studies have shown that nurturing houseplants bring people a greater sense of empathy and compassion. By shifting the focus from yourself it allows you to consider a larger world. It’s all too easy to spiral inward, but remember — we’re all in this together. Being responsible for keeping a plant alive may just do the trick.
LEARN A NEW SKILL
How many of your friends have taken to showing off their new skills on social media? It’s a thing, and scientists agree that it’s a good thing. It really doesn’t matter what it is, but give yourself permission to try something new. Try your hand at sourdough… start a juice cleanse… learn a new language… try an online course… whatever it is, give over to it 100% and commit to the journey.
STAY CONNECTED
We find ourselves at this amazing time in history. Covid-19 is forcing all of us to maintain social distancing norms, but technology is keeping us connected. Set up regular FaceTime meetups with family and friends. Schedule Zoom Happy Hours every week or so. Pick up the phone, send a text, whatever you can do. Remember: we are all dealing with the same thing. Sometimes a friendly voice is just what the doctor ordered.
STAY ACTIVE
Being stuck inside doesn’t mean you can’t take an hour for yourself. bodē nyc is offering a full schedule of Live Stream classes throughout the week, plus additional classes available with an On-Demand Subscription. Original Hot Yoga, HIIT 50, Yin Yoga, and Vinyasa Flow… all right in the convenience of your living room. You can learn more about our Live Stream Schedule HERE, and subscribe to bodē-On-Demand HERE.
If you’re working from home, try to maintain your regular work hours.
Go for a walk outside (while keeping at least 6 feet away from others).
Listen to music.
Keep up with your favorite podcasts (or discover new ones).
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP
While we all know this, how many of us are actually sticking to it? A good night’s sleep is an antidote for so much of what’s ailing us. Listen to your body, and take the time to recharge.
This quarantine is affecting our work/life balance as well as our parenting. Do not let self care be lost on you at this time. Lean on those closest to you and do the same for them. We will get through this, and come out the other side better than ever.