Sometimes, it’s hard for me to believe that we’ve been living under abnormal circumstances for the majority of this year. It’s been difficult to get used to, but I’m now at the point where I’ve adjusted and made the most of the situation! I’ve found that my commitment to health and wellness throughout this time has been what’s kept me going AND feeling good. I have a handful of insights and tips that will hopefully help you feel your best during this time, too. Here goes!
Have a Routine
This is huge! Obviously, almost everyone’s typical day has changed drastically since the start of the pandemic. While it’s tempting to abandon a routine, it’s really helpful to keep one to stay grounded. It will also help to ensure you make time for both work AND play. My favorite part of my routine is the morning. I still wake up early almost every day around 6;30am before work. I relax, read, eat breakfast and work out. Figure out what works for you. It could help to write down a schedule. Try a goal & vision planner to keep track of what you plan to accomplish each week!
Walk or Do Some Form of Exercise Daily
To quote Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” I never used to work out every day. I never felt like I had the time. Now that I’m working from home though, I’ve gained more time that I normally would’ve spent getting ready or commuting. I’ve taken advantage of this time by exercising every day and it’s been a total game changer. I’ve really gotten into long walks. They are almost like a form of meditation for me. I’ll walk for about 4 miles every day now, usually in the morning, while listening to music or a podcast. Other days, I’ll go for a quick run or get in some yoga at home. It feels SO good. It’s one of the highlights of my day now!
Go to the Park or Beach Whenever You Can
Being outside, getting some nature and / or sunshine is always a great mood booster for me. It’s a nice mini ‘escape’ from my apartment. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the park this summer. Fortunately, there are tons of excellent New York parks to choose from! Battery Park, Hudson River Park and Central Park are a couple of my favorites. I am also grateful to have been able to take a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in August, where I spent time on one of my favorite beaches, Whitefish Point.
Keep Plenty of Healthy Food Options at Home
I’ve still been doing the majority of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. I regularly stock up on my favorite healthy foods. By having them on hand, I default to eating better and I’m just that much less likely to order unhealthy takeout. (If you’re not comfortable with shopping in stores, there are a ton of great options for ordering groceries online too, whether it’s Amazon Fresh, Instacart or Whole Foods.)
Consider a Standing Desk
I’m so glad I did! I’ve always wanted a standing desk and I finally decided to order one when I realized I’d be working from home for a while. I bought this adjustable standing desk that sits on top of my existing desk. I love it! It’s great because you can easily switch back and forth between standing or sitting. I rarely stand and work for more than a couple hours. It’s just a nice way to change it up and I feel a lot more energized when I’m standing, too!
Set Boundaries for Work Hours
This one can be really tough. Sometimes, I just get the urge to check my emails and respond late at night when I’m already on my phone anyways. I try to make a point to shut my laptop at the end of a workday and limit checking emails or sending any emails to people on my team. I have likened my “shutting of the laptop” to physically leaving the office like I would back in pre-COVID times. It has helped me to come up with this sort of ritual to signal to myself that the workday is over.
Do Meditation, Breath Work or a Sound Bath
These are all great ways to calm the mind. When it comes to meditation, I am a big fan of MNDFL and their various class offerings. For breath work, I am a big fan of the WIM HOF breathing technique. And when it comes to sound healing, I highly recommend listening to Sara Auster. She has a great recording on Spotify. I also discovered this great sound bath recording on YouTube, among many others!
Burn a Candle
For me, burning a candle is just soothing and what’s not to love about having your space smell amazing? I’ve been burning candles more often lately, including during the workday, and I highly recommend it. Trader Joe’s sells great affordable candles (I am a HUGE fan of the mango tangerine scent they had this summer!). Another one of my go-to brands is Mrs. Meyers. Their lemon verbena and lavender candles are reasonably priced and smell great! And if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the popular Capri Blue volcano candle is excellent, or their dark vanilla and sandalwood scent, which I recently discovered!
Enjoy an At-Home Face Mask
This is one of my favorite forms of at-home self care! 😀 Some of my go-to face masks are the Mario Badescu super collagen mask or Sephora’s sheet masks (the rose one is awesome!).
Take a Power Nap If You’re Feeling Exhausted
I feel like naps for adults can get a really bad rap. Well, I am totally pro-nap! I find that if I’m feeling tired and take a quick nap, I feel MORE energized and productive afterwards. I try to aim for a 30-40 minute nap and will set a timer on my Echo Dot to wake myself up.
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