In the last few weeks, we have all seen a troubling amount of news and social media posts about the negative psychological impact of the quarantine, and how mental health is likely to be an even bigger concern after the COVID-19 pandemic. But, in the meantime, we are also forced to be creative and consistent with forming new habits in order to adapt to this unprecedented and somewhat stressful change.
I know life looks different for all of us right now. For me, I’m home in Abuja with my family, which is my new normal. I haven’t lived at home for a while now, so being able to see my parents and siblings all the time is certainly refreshing, most days anyway. But this comes with its own challenges. From the once-in-a-blue-moon anxiety to the struggle to maintain a relatively balanced sleep routine when bedtime becomes non-essential, and lest I forget, battling those random headaches everyone keeps tweeting about. Despite these, I have managed to keep a positive mindset and stay motivated during these stranger times, here’s why…
Peaceful meditation & breakfast in bed
My favourite, yet most unexpected happening is the rekindling of my old acquaintanceship with an ally called breakfast. yes, I said breakfast. The luxury of a lemon-ginger tea and rich, leisurely breakfast in bed is one I am not taking for granted at all, after my worship sessions and quiet time of course. I find that also being still in God’s presence for some hours in the morning, however heavy-eyed I might be, is truly the best way for me to start most days.
Personalizing the “productivity” trend
Most people are feeling an overwhelming pressure to be “productive”; productive here meaning doing something work-related every hour of the day or having the same levels of output as in the traditional office setting. The truth is, don’t beat yourself up for a sudden drowsy or roaming eye, or that gradually dwindling attention span. This is all normal. What’s helped me is finding a routine that works for me. Including my morning rituals, I created a dedicated schedule, and I try to stick to those hours without fail. Of course, this also includes routine breaks for lunch, a quick catch up call or brief liaison with my dogs outside for fresh air. Just find a rhythm that works for you!
Prioritizing my passions (the ones that don’t pay bills)
Have you tried dedicating time to a meaningful activity you aren’t paid to do? You might find that you some extra time on your hands at this time. My advice is to use this to invest in yourself; acquire a new skill, rest, reflect, rejuvenate, rediscover yourself or better yet, reignite an old passion. What this looks like for me is, learning Spanish, free online courses in entrepreneurship, and binge-reading articles on confectionery creation. I also rekindled my love for historical films, which I find so inspiring, particularly as it relates to the evolution of law and fashion. I even started an informal review of my favourites – such as Belle and The Young Victoria – on Instagram, which close friends enjoy. These are moments I won’t get back once we return to life as we knew it, so I am savouring every second.
Practising self-care to boost energy
I know we can’t do much about the terrible hair, eyebrows and nails thing, but I think we all know the many scientifically proven benefits that exercising provides. Since quarantine challenges – by design – our physical and mental health, I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of practising self-care in this way. You can boost your energy and moods by getting your body moving, by merely walking, dancing, exercising or stretching, even if you are not used to doing sports regularly. I promise you, the last time I worked out was in July 2019, but the quarantine has challenged me in a new way, and I always love how I feel afterwards.
Put pen to paper & make it write
Did you know journaling also boosts your mental wellbeing? I started writing last month, mostly early in the morning or late at night, as inspired by bible verses or troubling dilemmas during my quiet time, and I realized how much it freed my mind and calmed my thoughts. I recommend it to everyone; write freely about how you’re feeling, and don’t leave out your hopes and dreams too. You can start anywhere from notes on articles, to thoughts on a book or even a tweet, but I assure you it helps. Most importantly, practice gratitude and explore ways to support those within your network and community that are finding it a bit harder to find the silver lining of this pandemic cloud.
I hope these guides you on a more positive journey during this mandated break, in keeping a healthy mind and body. Although we do not know how long the quarantine will last, these are also habits that can help you scale through post-quarantine.
Don’t forget, these times won’t last, and we are moving towards an even better, newer normal.
