This is a scary time with many unanswered questions. Many people are experiencing financial, health and mental challenges due to sheltering-in-place; I understand these concerns are real. However, worry and stress never solved anything and it depresses your immune system. I also understand that living with others 24/7 can be challenging and cause friction at times. I have a husband and daughter and we have different interests and ways of doing things. But instead of focusing on the challenges and negative things that happen I choose to find what is good in all of this. By focusing more on the positive and practicing gratitude you stop the worry/stress response and your body produces endorphins and other “feel good” hormones that can help boost your immune system.
Now we have the time to reconnect with family members we live with as well as family and friends farther away. With children home from school and not able to do group activities they can talk or video chat with grandparents and other relatives. Families can play games together, whether it is board games like monopoly, aggravation or video games like bowling or car racing anything that brings the family together is a gift of reconnection.
Allow me to share my personal story. My daughter was supposed to move to Anaheim in April for a job but now we don’t know when or if it will happen. That is disappointing for all of us. She wanted to be near her friends and I wanted the room back because it was my office/healing space. Also my husband is working from home now so the house is crowded during the day sometimes making it difficult for my husband and myself to get work done.
However, the 3 of us, along with our dog Huck, have been taking walks together in the middle of the day which has been very nice. My husband usually works across the bay and is gone 6:30 am – 6:30 pm so this is a nice gift of time together for us. We also play games together some evenings.
This is also a time for reflection and self-care. Now that some of the busyness of the world has stopped such as attending or taking children to activities/events/school and perhaps commuting time to and from work, as well as social engagements, you can take time to find some activities that feed your body and mind. Try yoga, Tia–Chi, Qigong™ online or in a video and see how it feels. Starting an exercise routine of walking, jogging, biking, etc., three to four days a week can strengthen your body and clear your mind. Perhaps soaking in a tub with essential oils and surrounded by candles and music is more your cup of tea. Explore different things and start a routine so when this is over you have developed a wonderful self-care habit that can continue.
Do the project or work on your hobby that you usually don’t have time to do. This can be anything from doing jigsaw puzzles, sewing, dancing, painting, building models to landscaping your yard, cleaning out a closet, learning an instrument or foreign language.
Air pollution has decreased over China and the US according to reports from NASA. Yes, this is only a temporary effect but it gives the Earth and us a small break that I am happy to see.
My suggestion to you is, find 2 things to be grateful for every day and let me know if it changes your mood or health in any way.