Exercise

We have got to keep exercising. But please, please, please – do not go to the gym or to a packed studio. I’m not a doctor, but I would have to imagine catching *any* sort of virus is a lot easier in a crowded, sweaty, and energized room. People are out of breath and coughing and sneezing without being able to quickly find a tissue and just…let’s not.

But, for your own mental sanity, it’s best not to ditch the workout routine. I don’t know about you, but I’m stressed out. Like, really stressed out. My husband is still stuck in Europe, his job is basically over, and we don’t know when he’ll be employed again. Meanwhile I’ve got friends and family who are immunocompromised and I am hoping they don’t come in close contact with anyone who might be carrying the virus. (Remember, we don’t show symptoms for at minimum four days, and usually longer!)

And of course, none of this even encompasses the existential damages we’re all thinking about right now. Whew.

So yeah, I’m really freaking stressed.

Which means I can’t afford to not burn off some excess energy.

This isn’t a vanity push or even a physical health push – this is about turning off our anxious mental states and replacing our anxiety with endorphins. We could all use some of that right now.

Not sure how to exercise when you aren’t in a gym or a class? I can understand that. My advice is to search YouTube for some easy routines. Jumping jacks, jump roping, push-ups, and planks will serve you very well. If you are feeling absolutely cramped and need some space to move, a walk around the neighborhood is not going to violate social distancing as long as you stay at least six feet away from others. Just be sure to wash your hands before you leave and as soon as you return!

Meditate

Meditation is not just for the experts or woo-woos or gurus in the world. It’s easy as pie and can bring you *immediate* stress relief. You don’t even need an app to meditate if you don’t want one. All you have to do is close your eyes, sit somewhere comfortable, breathe in and out, and try to focus your mind on either 1) your breath or 2) something that makes you happy.

Dat’s it.

You don’t need to get super fancy with this at all. The goal is to calm down your nervous system and flush out those anxious feelings we get when we feel a complete and utter loss of control. Perceived control is not coming back into our hands anytime within the next month – so we have to cope. We must cope. And I believe that meditation is one of the easiest (and free!) forms of coping we can execute for ourselves.

If you’re looking for an app to use, I like Calm. I do not get a dime from referring them to you – I just wanted to share with you what works for me!

Do Something Small, but Actionable EveryDay

As humans, we like seeing results. We can’t help it. Instant gratification will never NOT be something we crave. Which is why during times of stress and turmoil, it’s good to go back to the basics.

Every single day, I want you to do *something* productive that gives you instant results. This could be as simple as doing the dishes. Organizing your closet (okay, that’s probably a big one if you’re anything like me.) Do the laundry. Cook a meal. Vacuum the floor. Clean out your dresser. Scrub your toilet. Trim your cat’s nails (this is very challenging in my house). Frankly I don’t really care what it is as long as it’s something that makes you instantly proud of yourself while you get to reap the benefits of the instant results.

The next few weeks/months/whatever are going to be stressful, so it’s okay to focus on the small things. Let them bring you joy.

Check in On People

While it may not be smart for you to do grocery runs or errands for your friends or family (every situation is different!), it’s always acceptable to check in on your people. Do you know any healthcare workers? I bet they could use your love. Has anyone in your circle been economically affected by COVID-19? If no one has yet, someone probably will, and I bet they would appreciate your support. And then of course, I’m sure most of our friends are white-knuckling it through this time of quarantine – so drop them a line, too.

We are extremely blessed to have technology that allows us to connect in such intimate ways while not putting others’ health at risk. Use it to your advantage. Try your best not to hole up and falsely believe that social distancing means we can’t have social connection. In fact, make it a goal to reach out to someone every single day. We all need to feel connected right now, and you doing your part will make this process so much more bearable.