Like many of us enduring this new life of social distancing and stay-at-home order since COVID- 19 has hit, you may be finding yourself dwelling in negative thoughts. This virus has affected all of our lives in some way, shape, or form. Schools are closed, sports are on hold, vacations canceled, unemployment is at an all-time high and many of us are stuck inside our homes. Staying positive can certainly be a challenge during these times, even for the most optimistic of people.
Here are some helpful tips to maintain a positive mindset:
Be Thankful
It is so easy to focus on the bad when that is all we see on the news and on social media but we need to shift our focus on the good and count our blessings. Every day that you wake up you should express gratitude. Begin by starting off each day reminding yourself what you are thankful for and don’t forget the simple things that we take for granted like drinking a morning cup of coffee or tea. If you are still working be thankful that you still have the ability to work whether it be working from home or at your job site. If you are like many without a job right now, be thankful for your health of you and your loved ones.
Create a Daily Routine
Having an agenda each day will surely keep you busy and will assist you in avoiding those negative thoughts. If you are home stuck with the kids a routine is crucial. Rise each morning, get ready for the day, make a healthy breakfast, and plunge into your day. Make sure you make time to distress and get a daily exercise in. Go to bed at a decent time every night to ensure you get much-needed rest as well. Remember consistency is key.
Exercise
Exercise releases endorphins in the brain that will aid in energizing your spirit, improve your mood and makes you feel more relaxed. In order to stay positive and in good health, daily exercise is a must. Dedicate at least 15-30 minutes of your day to a yoga routine, fitness workout or walk. Even with the stay-at-home order in place, we are still allowed to walk around our neighborhoods and go to nearby forest preserves while keeping your distance from others of course. Getting a daily dose of sunshine, fresh air and being around trees and nature has been proven to help combat depression so go out and walk!
Get Organized
If you find yourself with more free time on your hands but your mind is cluttered, this would be a good time to start getting rid of items in your home that are no longer of use or no longer bring you joy. Ever heard of the phrase, “Less is best”? Well, there is a lot of truth to that. When you minimize your belongings and keep items that only bring you joy, life can become less stressful and cleaning and sanitizing your household is less of an exhausting and daunting task. Being in a home that you feel good in, helps keep a good mindset.
Social Distance But Don’t Social Isolate
We are all experiencing life differently but we are all being affected by the same nasty virus. Though we must keep a social distance in order to keep our loved ones and others safe, it is important not to socially isolate yourself. Reach out to someone every day whether it be a call, text, FaceTime, etc. It is so important to keep in contact with our friends and family to help fill that void. Try to limit yourself on social media, unless that makes you happy, and try connecting with one person each day just one on one. Remember we are all in this together.
Get Creative
Use this time to do fun projects with the kids. Get crafty! Expanding your creative side of life definitely has positive feedback. Read a book, start up a puzzle, there are so many things we can do productively with our time and have fun doing it. Sing and dance around your house, pick up that instrument that has been collecting dust and re-teach yourself. We live in a time where we have access to so many things through our phones like different apps, blogs, and podcasts. We should use this time at home wisely so when we come out of this we are better than we were before.
Written by Alyssa Blando
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