How to Maintain Good Vibes While In Quarantine
In our neck of the woods, it’s Day 13 of {Extreme} Enhanced Community Quarantine.
I mentioned in last week’s update that life is almost normal and that despite all the things that makes this situation difficult, life is still good. And it is.
As we end the second week of quarantine, I wanted to share with you some of the ways in which I maintain GOOD VIBES despite being in this time of uncertainty and hearing all the sad and upsetting news.
Start a Daily Gratitude Practice
Now is a good time as any to start a daily gratitude practice. Carve out 5 to 10 minutes out of your day to jot down what you are thankful for. It could be just one thing, or five things, or ten.
As for me, I have a journal (on my second now!) where I try to write 10 things that I am grateful for on a daily basis, usually at the start of my day while sipping coffee. Some days I don’t make it to ten, and that’s okay! Doing this daily has helped me stay positive and it encourages me to recognize the lessons from otherwise difficult and upsetting situations.
If you don’t feel like writing in a journal, consider sharing what you’re thankful for daily on Facebook, or creating a card for posting on Instagram Stories. There’s value in sharing your practice with others, you’re spreading the good vibes!
Get Moving
Movement plays a huge role in boosting your mood and energy. Movement and exercise release happy hormones! So does going out to soak up some sunlight (in these times of Corona, do this in the safety of your front/backyard or balcony/terrace).
So I may not be the most credible here because if you Google sedentary lifestyle, my image will probably pop up! BUT I get points for effort.
Start by walking around the house. When you’re working, set a timer to stand up and walk around (and maybe do stretching, and hip circles (it’s fun!)) every hour.
Go outside (put on a mask, if you must).
Take frequent breaks from whatever it is you’re doing and do a 30-minute happy dance ala Meredith and Cristina.
When I’ve gone long periods of NOT moving enough (as is the case now), my go-to exercise to ease me back into the habit and to build-up stamina, are Leslie Sansone’s Walk-at-Home videos on Youtube. I really do not like exercising and hardcore workouts stress me out (I’ve tried HIIT), but these videos, even the hubby sometimes does them with me.
Find the movement or exercise that is doable for you.
Socialize!
Now is not the time for isolation. Yes, we are physically distancing from each other, but this is the time to be social. And I don’t just mean scrolling Social Media feeds.
Talk to the people you’re quarantined with. Binge-watch a series or movies together. Eat together. Be present with each other.
Chat with your parents, wherever in the world they may be. Call them!
Setup group video calls with your friends and family.
Reach out to friends and workmates just to say Hi! Ask how they’re doing.
If you’re in a book club, participate! If you used to meet up in person weekly/monthly, do it virtually now.
Instead of sharing doomsday theories and/or fake news, share the good news. Exchange recipes, book recommendations, crochet/sewing patterns, online courses.
Stay connected.
Sing
So I had a bad headache all day Friday and all I did was sleep it off. I got up just before 8 PM, right in time for an exclusive training inside a freelancing tribe I belong to.
Before it started, the host played music from the early ’90s and, of course, I sang along. I immediately felt better!
Sing out loud to upbeat tunes or any of your favorite songs. Kebs na kung maingayan ang kapit-bahay.
I’ve also been tuning in to the Facebook Live sessions of various Pinoy singers/musicians raising funds through Bayanihan Musikahan. They have a different set of performers each night (who perform from home, with just their phones or computers to broadcast with, yet they STILL sound great!) and it’s been fun and AMAZING too. You can still catch them, performances usually start at 6PM each night, until late into the evening! I think Martin Nievera’s performance on Wednesday lasted 2 hours!
Get Good Sleep!
Just like movement, sleeping well has a lot of benefits. Remember my post about The Sleep Revolution?
A person who hasn’t had much sleep tends to be cranky and irritable. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of depression and higher levels of stress. Don’t let that be you. Sleep 7-8 hours each night. Take naps if you need them.
Sleeping well does wonders for you, and helps keep you in a good mood 🙂
Spend QT with your Pets
We now have 4 grown dogs (Sirius Black, Pandora, Jango Night Fury, and Lep) and 2 puppies (YuQing and LuXia). They’re not trained, but I swear, they are like emotional support dogs.
The way they’d come close and reach out when you don’t feel all that well. Or particularly sad. Hay.
The hubby randomly picks up one or two or three of them at a time, smells them and showers them with love. The two pups are particularly smelly because they haven’t had a bath in two weeks (sabay sa quarantine, haha) and they eat dog food (pellets) but he still smells them. I believe it’s because it makes him feel better.
Give
I know that when you spread goodwill, you shouldn’t expect anything in return. But, it is true also that giving makes you feel better. So, for my last tip on how to maintain good vibes while in quarantine, I ask that if you are able to, give. Share your blessings.
In closing, I hope that you picked up a thing or two from me today (not the virus!). Though we continue to hear a lot of stories that are heartbreaking, and there are whispers that sow fear and anxiety, it’s important that we stay in good spirits and not be led by fear or scarcity. This is just the rain we’re putting up with right now, soon we’ll see the rainbow.
I leave you now with a short list of ways to help others. Thank you in advance for sharing what you have, prayers and good thoughts included.
Ways to HELP
Donate any amount while enjoying the sounds of Bayanihan Musikahan performers. They are raising funds to send food and PPEs to frontliners, AND to feed and help out families whose livelihood have been compromised by this pandemic. Food and assistance will be sent to them so they won’t be forced to leave their homes to earn a living and run the risk of contracting or passing along the virus.
Frontline Feeders PH – this is another effort by the private sector to feed frontliners and provide PPEs.
Support this group who makes Faceshields for Frontliners!
Protect the Poor by supporting Caritas Manila in providing COVID-19 Ligtas Kits and/or Manna Food Bags to poor families.