One of the things that has helped me during this COVID-19 pandemic is meditation. Last year I decided to give it a try after reading about it. Reduced stress, more patience, better quality of sleep, decreased anxiety, and lower blood pressure are just a few of its many benefits. All you need is a comfortable, quiet place to sit and a few minutes of time each and every day to relax your body and focus on your breathing. Paired with a lifestyle of regular exercise, a healthy diet, and eight hours of sleep, it works wonders to prolong your life, boost your immune system, and ward off disease. These are especially crucial during stressful times like these.
Now that most of America is staying at home, and I've been doing so for about one month, I've found that keeping a daily routine makes me more productive, more grateful, and less stressed.
Here's a sample of what my day might look like:
6am - 7am: wake up, stretch, hydrate, eat breakfast, catch up on news
7am - 8am: check e-mail, respond to messages, prepare for the work day
8am - 9:30am: do HIIT workouts, get on the treadmill, stretch, cool down
9:30am - 10:30am: eat a recovery snack, hydrate, make coffee/tea, take a shower
10:30am - 11:30am: catch up on the news while working
11:30am - 12pm: meditate (alert mind, relaxed body)
12pm - 1pm: eat lunch, do dishes, plan for dinner
1pm - 4pm: get back to work, respond to messages, make to-do list for tomorrow
4pm - 6pm: cook and eat dinner, wash dishes, do some work
6pm - 7pm: food prep and meal planning for tomorrow, clean and disinfect the kitchen
7pm - 8pm: tie up loose ends related to work
8pm - 9pm: relax and watch TV
9pm - 10pm: prepare for bed, stay off my phone as much as possible, read a book, do skin care routine
10pm - go to sleep
Some tips for managing stress when things get hard:
1. Focus on what you do have and what you're grateful for
2. Don't worry about what you can't control
3. Focus on the here and now; be in the present moment (don't fret about the past or stress about tomorrow)
4. Reach out to someone you trust for a chat
5. Just breathe (meditation)
6. Remind yourself that this is not a permanent situation; things will change. Hang in there!
7. Engage in a creative project, learn a new skill or craft
8. Watch a funny show or consume content that makes you laugh (watching videos of people dressing up to take out the trash might help)
9. Remind yourself that we are all in this together. The more we stay at home, the more lives will be saved and the faster this will be over.
This is a sample of the things I've been buying and eyeing for making stay at home more comfortable.
Now that most of America is staying at home, and I've been doing so for about one month, I've found that keeping a daily routine makes me more productive, more grateful, and less stressed.
Daily Routine
Here's a sample of what my day might look like:
6am - 7am: wake up, stretch, hydrate, eat breakfast, catch up on news
7am - 8am: check e-mail, respond to messages, prepare for the work day
8am - 9:30am: do HIIT workouts, get on the treadmill, stretch, cool down
9:30am - 10:30am: eat a recovery snack, hydrate, make coffee/tea, take a shower
10:30am - 11:30am: catch up on the news while working
11:30am - 12pm: meditate (alert mind, relaxed body)
12pm - 1pm: eat lunch, do dishes, plan for dinner
1pm - 4pm: get back to work, respond to messages, make to-do list for tomorrow
4pm - 6pm: cook and eat dinner, wash dishes, do some work
6pm - 7pm: food prep and meal planning for tomorrow, clean and disinfect the kitchen
7pm - 8pm: tie up loose ends related to work
8pm - 9pm: relax and watch TV
9pm - 10pm: prepare for bed, stay off my phone as much as possible, read a book, do skin care routine
10pm - go to sleep
Stress Management
Some tips for managing stress when things get hard:
1. Focus on what you do have and what you're grateful for
2. Don't worry about what you can't control
3. Focus on the here and now; be in the present moment (don't fret about the past or stress about tomorrow)
4. Reach out to someone you trust for a chat
5. Just breathe (meditation)
6. Remind yourself that this is not a permanent situation; things will change. Hang in there!
7. Engage in a creative project, learn a new skill or craft
8. Watch a funny show or consume content that makes you laugh (watching videos of people dressing up to take out the trash might help)
9. Remind yourself that we are all in this together. The more we stay at home, the more lives will be saved and the faster this will be over.
Give Back
If you are in a position to do so, please join me in donating to charities like Feeding America, Direct Relief, Meals on Wheels, and some of these organizations for coronavirus relief. You'll feel less helpless and more empowered knowing that your donation will help Americans in need.Stay Home Essentials
This is a sample of the things I've been buying and eyeing for making stay at home more comfortable.
This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated it purchases are made by clicking links.
Hang in there!
Hang in there!