Tips To Get Any Personality Through Quarantine
Whoever said 2019 needed to go, can you please bring it back? Because 2020 rang in the new year with some serious vengeance, and it seems like we are light-years away from the normalcy we once knew (or will we ever really get back to that?). Thanks to the airborne bully that is the COVID-19 virus, we’re now officially entering our 5th week of quarantine and for most of us, we have no idea what the near future looks like. To say the least, it’s been a trying, challenging, stressful, and awakening time for the world. Although the future remains somewhat uncertain, the most important thing we can do is stay conscious and aware, follow CDC Guidelines, ensure we are properly social distancing by STAYING HOME and of course, washing our hands. There are lives depending on it and essential workers and healthcare professionals working tirelessly for our needs and safety. So, listen!
…It’s Been A Trying, Challenging, Stressful, And Awakening Time For The World.
It’s completely normal to feel restless and out of control at times. We wanted to make our official return debut during this time so that you’re getting through this period as best as you can with tips and resources that fit any personality and their coping mechanisms. Remember, all we can do is our best and that’s not going to look the same every day. We asked you, our readers, what you wanted to see first on our return into the Internet world, and we received an overwhelming response asking for help on how to navigate these tough and strange times. We’ve worked with our mental health professionals to compile a shortlist of ways to help calm the anxiety that isolation may bring some of you, and hope that it helps even the slightest bit!
1. If You’re Constantly Feeling Anxious:
Try NOT watching the news and overloading yourself with information.
Incorporate a meditative practice in your routine, even if it’s only ten minutes of quiet each day. Headspace is a great app that’s offering free courses right now with specific categories. It’s perfect for the skeptic beginner and they even have a kid’s section!
It’s a good time to start that self-care routine! A warm bath with Epsom salt can be extremely soothing and detoxifying.
Yoga! Yoga has been around for a gazillion years and for good reason. A simple 20-minute practice can alter your mindset, sense of presence, increase gratitude, and calm heightened nerves by focusing on breath and movement. It’s an all-encompassing mind, body and spirit triple threat!
2. If You Want To Use This Time To Focus On Your Health:
If you’re someone that was always on the go and had to resort to eating out constantly, try using this time to hone in on your cooking skills while keeping your health in mind!
I miss my gym and my trainers- A LOT. Since all fitness studios and gyms are closed indefinitely, many studios are offering their classes via LiveStream or on Zoom. Keep in mind, this is their livelihood so it’s also a great way to pay it forward to our local communities. If you’re already a member of a gym, I’m sure they’ve launched online classes. If not, I LOVE the format the studio I’ve been going to for years is offering!
YouTube also has a ton of ‘no-equipment’ classes available by professional trainers. There’s even an “apartment friendly” category.
3. If You Want To Use This Time To Relax:
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to slow down and take it easy through this. I find one of the most cathartic ways to practice relaxing and ease is simply by being in nature. If you’re in a neighborhood where you can safely social distance and still be outside, make sure you get some fresh air and go for walks. The health benefits are underrated, but necessary!
Read! You know that long list of books in your Amazon cart you never purchased? Set aside time each day (or every other day) depending on your schedule to put your phone away and increase that brainpower. The science and research on the benefits of reading has been proven over and over again. It’s undeniable that reading more reduces stress, strengthens brain connectivity, sharpens memory, increases vocabulary, and even enhances empathetic skills. Here are some of our recent favorites:
A Woman is No Man. MM interviewed the author last year and this story is extremely impactful.
Of course, we wouldn’t get through this without some binge-worthy Netflix suggestions ☺️
Ozark
Dead to Me
Tiger King (because of all the hype)
Unorthodox
Little Fires Everywhere (on Hulu)
The Office Reruns
Schitt’s Creek
Money Heist
Jane the Virgin
4. If You’re Typically A Social Butterfly:
Now that we’re deep into quarantine, I’m sure many of us are feeling disconnected from our friends and family. Weddings have been canceled, birthdays are celebrated on FaceTime, and we never thought we’d actually miss having to go to that former colleague’s baby shower. Human connection is essential to our overall happiness and sense of purpose. So if you (or someone you know) is really effected by not being able to see their loved ones regularly, make sure you’re making time to connect virtually. Schedule Zoom Happy Hours, Group Facetime, or play virtual cards!
Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Many people have been using this as an opportunity to remember and check in on older friends. It’s a great way to let someone know you’re thinking of them and they’re not alone.
Don’t forget to call your grandmother!
Connect with your relatives over-seas. We don’t have the time difference to use an excuse.
5. If You Want To Focus On Productivity:
Sometimes, it feels like I’m the Queen of Procrastination (I know it’s the worst). I’ve been using this time to really focus on my future goals and what steps I need to take to get there. Start with what you originally wanted to accomplish this year. Is it possible to still take small steps to get closer to that, despite the restrictions we’re under?
Don’t overwhelm yourself with a ten-year plan, especially with the future being uncertain. Start simple and make a list of small actionable things you can do daily. Do you want to brush up on your Arabic skills? Do you want to finally learn the ins and outs of social media marketing? What skill do you want to gain that you never had “time” for before or you were too scared to do? This could range anywhere between developing a daily journaling practice to applying to Grad School. The Internet (and your own mind) is your oyster!
There are a plethora of resources out there that offer totally free courses that are specific to your area of interest. I personally like SkillShare because they have a ton of free and reasonably priced online workshops that range from animation and creativity to business analytics and marketing. If you’re unsure of what you like, there are also some great podcasts that focus on personal development and finding your purpose. Start here: Impact Theory, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The School of Greatness
Last but not least,
6. If You’re Trying To Figure Out How You Can Help During This Global Crisis:
It can be easy to feel paralyzed and not know how to make a difference. I would start by simply tending to your local community. Ask your local small businesses, beauty aestheticians, restaurants, and other services heavily impacted by the pandemic how you can help. Many are buying advanced gift cards to help get them through indefinite store closures.
If you have elderly neighbors, offer to go buy their groceries and run errands for them.
Do NOT hoard essential items at the supermarket.
Call your friends, relatives, and acquaintances currently working in healthcare, law enforcement, or other essential professions and ask if they need support in any way. Sometimes just letting them know you are thinking of them and appreciate their courage is all they need to hear! Practice compassion and empathy.
Many NGO’s have Covid-19 specific initiatives happening that help hospitals in need of supplies, families in need of support, food, hygiene kits, among other things. Here are some suggestions:
At the end of the day, remember that this is a global pandemic. You are not alone in this. We are in it together and we can only get through it together. Reach out, be a resource for others to reach out, and try your best to find the “good” in all this. If you are healthy, and your loved ones are healthy, you are lucky. The stress of working from home, being a parent, and everything else will always be there. Try to enjoy the extra time together that the Universe has forced us to take. It’s all we can do right now until this is (Inshallah) over.
Originally appeared on MissMuslim.