Shit got real this week, didn’t it? I’m currently sitting in week four of working from home and sheltering-in-place hard, coming fresh off another update that I’ve been instructed to work from home through May 4th; nearly two full months of what feels like isolation. If I’m being completely honest, it felt like yet another blow of living in this new normal. I realize I’m not alone in these feelings either. By now, most of us have had big plans interrupted, delayed, or even cancelled. So much of the way we celebrate and mark the progress of our lives has been erased. We’re really feeling the impact of COVID-19 both personally and more broadly as a nation—no longer can we ignore the implications and our responsibility in the broader landscape. Which has led me to ask myself almost daily, what more can I do outside of donating to food shelters, sharing our PPE medical supplies, and providing structured movement classes to my community.
What I keep coming back to is really simple but requires a bit of discipline, we must take care of our mental health, as you know, a topic so very near to me. Below, I’m sharing a number of practices that have helped me tremendously during this time and help pull me out of the downward spiral that’s so easy to slip into. My hope is that you, too, can find even a little reprieve from all the heavy feelings we’re navigating.
enjoy healthy, nutritious foods
I know the quarantine snacking is real, but let’s be honest—it can leave you feeling a bit less than ideal. Remember that boredom and emotional eating is only compounding feelings of crappiness. Even if it’s just one meal per day, do your best to aim for a balanced plate with plenty of veggies and protein to ensure you’re receiving the nourishment you deserve. I’ve found that meal-prepping on Sundays work really well, especially if you’re working full-time from home. It takes out the guess work and allows you to maximize that time between meetings to reset.
find movement of any variety
What I’ve learned is that if I don’t force myself to get up and take walks around the block or find a virtual yoga class (here’s one of my favorite flows!) that I will quite literally sit in one or two places in the house for the ENTIRE day. Talk about doing a number on the mental health, let alone our physical health! We’re designed as mobile creatures which means we need movement. Scheduling time into my calendar, choosing my movement modality, and setting up my tools and wardrobe so I can’t deny my plans has been my recipe for success. I even started tracking my movement on a habit calendar to keep things very real.
If you’re looking a live class which lends a bit more accountability, I’ve got you covered! I’m offering three weekly donation based YogaPlay-in-Place yoga classes via Zoom and would love to have you join. Each class will be all levels, with modifications offered. I can't wait to see familiar and new faces alike. In fact, if you're sheltering with a roomie or loved one, invite them to join too; the more, the merrier. Simply click on the class times below to access respective Zoom links. No password will be required.
All classes are offered on a donation basis, with a suggestion of $10-$15 per class. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
Venmo me @yogabypaige OR via PayPal.Me/yogabypaige
stay balanced
Pretty quickly into our time home, I noticed my energy took a huge dip; compounded with a gray and wet spring here in the Bay Area. After deploying all my usual techniques to combat this slip, I realized it was likely a lack of Vitamin D and getting the light our bodies find so essential. I’m happy to report that after a week of using my happy light (great while stuck on conference calls all day!) and taking vitamin D daily, my energy levels have balanced again and I feel much more like myself. So if you’re feeling particularly down, even beyond the usual anxiety and worry our latest current affairs bring, I urge you to take a look at your supplements and take care of your body from the inside out; minor adjustments can make a big impact.
Disconnect with a coloring book, puzzle, or game
Turning off the T.V., stepping away from the computer, and putting down my device has helped me to find joy in the simple and easy pace of life. Justin and I have promised ourselves that we’d become masters at cribbage, which is basically three games in one (we love this simple cribbage board gifted to us by Justin’s parents who are the true masters)! While we’re waiting out shelter-in-place orders, I also busted out an adult coloring book. It feels really, really good to tune out for awhile and let the brain be creative.
get dressed + Ready
On Fridays, I have instigated a Fancy Friday rule. I get up and curl my hair (worth every penny!), do my make-up, and choose a cute outfit to really feel more like myself. It does wonders for lifting spirits and there’s something nice about looking in the mirror and feeling more like yourself. Bonus, then I get to rock that day two or three undone messy wave look on the weekend, win-win!
Don’t get me wrong, some days you also need to lay low, eat all the snacks, stay in your jammies, and feel all the feels. My worry is that when too many of those day accumulate, what the longer term impact is. The quickest way I pull myself out of a funk is through acts of service for my community. So far, this has included offering regular weekly yoga classes and donating some of the proceeds to my community. It’s a quick reminder that there is so much going on and so many folks in need and that I’m doing my part to spread a little bit of love and light where possible. I encourage you to see how you can give back and most importantly, find small ways that you can take care of yourself.
Stay strong and healthy my friends, we’re on all this ride together.
With deep love,
Paige