I hope you are staying safe and healthy.
If you are looking for some de-stressing, anti-anxiety tricks I want to help as much as I can!
Below are some things that I have been doing (and intend on) to calm myself amidst this COVID-19 storm. This can be a stressful and turbulent time. Please make sure to take care of yourself as much as you can.
Tips to get through the day by day quarantine:
1. Limit social media
This one is hard because we have "nothing else to do". Take this opportunity to limit your social media and do something practical.
2. Watch a funny movie/show
I am sure the Netflix stock has gone up with the entire world being home. Don't you have a Netflix wish list? Here are my picks:
-Schitt's Creek
-Love is Blind
-90 Day Fiance
-90 Day Fiance (before 90 days....don't knock it 'til you've tried it!!)
-The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Bonus: Re-watch Game of Thrones
3. Video chat loved ones
We must maintain social distancing, but that doesn't mean your heart needs to be distant. Video chat your loved ones and check in on those that may need it. It also helps you keep your sanity. Remember, you are not alone.
4. Limit news resources
The first few days of the coronavirus I was on my phone looking at the news non-stop. At the end of the day, I had so much anxiety I couldn't even see straight. Try not to get your news from 1,000 different places. Limit it to a few, so you don't go crazy.
Bonus Tip: We can watch the news forever, but we still don't have control over the situation. So when things start to mentally get tough, unplug and do physical activity.
5. Take a long bath
A bath or shower or bucket. Whatever you want. Give yourself some time to take a break from the madness and take care of yourself. Sing in the shower too! That's always fun!
6. Find fun, at-home exercises
I have always been a fan of at-home exercise. With everything going on many people are offering free at-home resources. Take advantage of them. Your body needs to move and needs a break from being a couch potato. My favorite one is the Kayla Itsines BBG workout! I will also admit I did a P90x Ab workout and I didn't hate it. Orange Theory also offers free online classes.
7. Cook something new
Pinterest is your new best friend (along with Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, etc). Find new recipes. Or if you are limited with groceries, make something new from what you got in the fridge. Feed and nourish yourself!
8. Discover new music and dance!
I love Spotify because I can discover new music. I have been playing the "discover" section to hear some new tunes. I even had a dance party for Nowruz (Persian New Year) while on Facetime. Hey, when you have to make it work, you will.
9. Play board games/start a puzzle
Any board game. Any puzzle. Make your own. Occupy your mind on things that are not your phone, tv, or news. You need a mental break. Let this be one of them. Remember hide and seek? If you are quarantined with someone try it! Make up a game. Get creative!
10. Daily yoga
I always told myself, "I want to do yoga everyday" and I never did because I "didn't have the time". Well, guess what? Now I do. The last few days of quarantine I have made a goal for myself to do 1 yoga session a day. I have mentally felt SO MUCH BETTER. It calms my mind, eases my anxiety, and helps me let things go. My favorite ones are Bryan's class at Power Yoga (free classes).
BONUS TIP:
11. Practice gratitude
In hard times it is easy to focus on what we don't have (our favorite restaurants, normal socializing, etc). Take this moment to pick 3 things you are grateful for. Your health, the people in your life, the clothes on your back, the food in your fridge, etc).
As I am going through this with you I will continue to try some new things and inform you about them! If you have any tips you would like to share please let me know! I hope you stay safe and healthy.
With love,
Samira
