I have been trying to continue on as blogging as usual, but I think it is impossible to ignore the pandemic that is occurring right now.
There is so much overwhelming information coming from the media. It is difficult to ascertain what are the real statistics regarding COVID19. I think part of it is that no one really knows.
When things seem out of control, it produces a lot of fear and anxiety. It is often that fear and anxiety that is the most crippling to a majority of people as opposed to (in this case hopefully) the actual illness itself.
Trust me, as pregnant lady in my third trimester, there have been days when my thoughts spiral out of control. So I came up with this list to help survive isolation AND to help manage your anxiety/fears.
So what do you do when you feel like there is a loss of control?
Focus on what you can control.
So ask yourself, what can I control?
CLEAN and ORGANIZE. When I feel a loss of control due to something that might have happened at work, I come home and start cleaning. I think, “well I might not have been able to do THAT at work, but I CAN clean the kitchen and do the dishes!”
- Do the dishes
- Do the laundry
- Dust
- Vacuum literally everything, including the baseboards and furniture.
- Put out your Spring or Easter decor.
- Organize the pantry with all that food you have. I have a tutorial for DIY pantry organization labels.
- Clean out the fridge
- Clean the bathrooms complete with scrubbing the toilet rings off.
- Go through your closet and get rid of clothes you don’t wear anymore or no longer fit. I have a rule (except right now when I’m pregnant- If I haven’t worn it in a year it needs to go!)
- Polish your shoes
- Wash, vacuum and wipe down your car
- Finish your taxes (OK not fun, but practical).
- Work in the garden, weather permitting.
- Go through the photos on your phone and delete all the bad ones.
- Organize the files on your computer
GIVE BACK TO OTHERS – Needless to say, this will always make others and you feel good!
- Drop off supplies for your elderly or quarantined neighbors – or arrange for a grocery delivery for them.
- Be kind to others – give random people a smile or a wave. Seriously a little goes a long way. Just don’t shake hands!
- Ask the grocery clerk how they are doing
- Leave a note of thanks for the delivery person.
- FaceTime or call your family or friends whom you haven’t talked to in a while.
TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF – You have to love yourself before you can help others.
- Exercise – This is actually one of the most important things. I highly recommend trying the Peloton App – has WORKOUTS and YOGA so you can get a work out in/yoga session without going to the gym. There is a free 90 day trial! If you don’t want to do that, go for a walk in the neighborhood, just keep your distance from others.
- Meditate. The Headspace app is free and really good for mediation. There are even short meditations that are 5 minutes which I started doing when I didn’t feel like I was a “meditation person”.
- Take a bath
- Do a face mask! I LOVE this Charlotte Tilbury face mask or you can do one of these peel off Korean face masks – come in a pack of 16 and they are fun!
- Give yourself a manicure/pedicure.
HAVE FUN – Yes, it’s okay to have fun even when things are going to pot. Don’t feel guilty for feeling happy or having fun.
- Do a puzzle
- Engage in some online retail therapy – check out my favorites in my shop that I’ve recently updated!
- Watch a movie (or three)
- Catch up on that show you’re behind on or wanted to watch.
- Play board or card games
- Read a book – now is the perfect time to sign up for Kindle Unlimited – you get unlimited reading on over a million ebooks with thousands of free audiobooks!
- Work on that scrapbook or photobook you’ve been meaning to do.
- Read the blogs you’ve forgotten you loved
- Listen to a podcast
- Start or finish that needlepoint/sewing project
- Try adult coloring – I love this coloring book.
- Make a new recipe – here are some dessert recipes you can try.
- Plan your next vacation – yes, eventually we will get to travel again. Life WILL go on!
HEALTH – Part of managing the fear and anxiety of the unknown is to do a little bit of self education about this disease. Having a plan of action will help ease some of the fears and anxieties. Most reliable source of information regarding the illness is from the CDC. If you are going to read ANYTHING you should stick with the CDC – I have only included links to the CDC.
- Come up with a plan should you get sick. Again the CDC has lots of information about coming up with a plan. I think the reality is this: many of us are going to get sick. So you need to know WHAT to do should you get sick and figure out who really needs to go to the doctor or hospital.
- Here is WHAT TO DO if you are sick.
- The CDC has a website dedicated to mental health and coping during this time -including a downloadable children’s coloring book about coping during disasters.
- AVOID the media. If you cannot avoid it completely, just allot yourself only 5-10 minutes a day to read from 1-2 credible sources and promise yourself THAT is it. Don’t spend all day spiraling down into doom. It is very easy to do that, especially when you have more time at home!
Remember, FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES. Ask yourself…
What is one thing I am thankful for today?
What is one thing of beauty that I saw today?
In every negative situation, there is always a positive light. Sometimes you have to look hard for it, but I promise it is there.
