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These are the best COVID survival tips which are simple to do and also quite fun. And do we ever need them now! It’s hard to believe that our lives consist of screens, sanitizers, sweatpants, and our beloved masks. Small businesses are struggling. We miss our friends, co-workers, family members that don’t live with us and going to the movies! I had to put that one in because I really miss going to see a movie. In a real movie theatre. With popcorn. Sigh.
We have no choice but to continue with this lifestyle for now, as we need to flatten the curve and keep this pandemic controlled. However, all of “this” is taking a toll on us. Right?
It’s time to ask one of my admirable and oh so appreciated advisor board members for Brave The Waves for the best COVID survival tips to help us get through the home stretch of this pandemic. I say this because although we don’t have it in our hands yet, the vaccine is on the way and it’s just a matter of time. Even for us Canadians.
I am hounoured and privileged to introduce @leannematlow, CBT Counselor, The woman behind Mental Health Empowerment Day with the best COVID survival tips anyone could ask for.
Before we get into the best COVID survival tips, Leanne would like to set the premise of how we got here and why we are feeling this way.
“Most of us are struggling now because we have lost the usual structure and rhythm to our ‘normal’ days. We think nostalgically back to the days of group spin classes, no line shopping trips, lunch dates, and going to the movies. It’s hard when you have no real reason to get out of your sweatpants for zoom meetings. Plus, walking the same route is getting dull. It kind of makes you feel blah. Done.”
I couldn’t agree more. Fear not – here are the best COVID survival tips on how to get out of a “funk”, to have a purpose, and perhaps put a little excitement in your life!
1) Make yourself a schedule and break up the list into three parts.
Make sure that exercise and self-care items, such as phoning a friend, taking a long bath, doing some yoga are automatically a part of your day, like brushing your teeth.
2) Menu and meal preparation. Include the whole family! The kids and whoever is living under your roof. Consider having theme nights and adding twists to traditional favourites. There is no reason mealtime can’t include music some info about the theme. For instance, have an Italian night, and Play Italian music while you savor your garlic bread and linguini. Take it a step further and watch The Godfather after dinner and learn about the Italian mafia. For a younger audience, there’s Roman Holiday, Cinema Paradiso, or Disney’s Lady and The Tramp, where the adorable two dogs eat spaghetti and end up kissing each other – such a famous scene!
3) Keep your vitamin D level up. The lack of natural sunlight has negative effects on most people’s mood, energy level, and even sleep patterns. Eat a Vitamin D-rich diet that includes foods such as mushrooms, eggs, liver, oily fish like salmon, and fortified orange juice. For more information on Vitamin D, read this. Ask your doctor if you need to take supplements. You can also purchase a Happy Light, from Amazon. Think of it as sunshine in a box. This light mimics the sun without the harmful UV rays and really elevates your mood.
When you are in a funk, which is a state of unhappiness or lack of hope, you usually feel these symptoms:
Remember that there is no shame in asking for help. @KidsHelpPhone is a wonderful organization and resource that offers free counselling.
Tough times, like a failure, are good for you! Why? it is through the failures that we learn that we can be creative, tolerate discomfort, and learn how we got through a struggle. No one lives a life without going through a difficult time and those who overcome adversity are often the people we view as heroes. Some of the best ideas were created during a crisis like this.
Tough times also force us to reach out to others and truly understand the importance of being part of a larger community.
Thank you, Leanne Matlow for explaining that although these are challenging and tough times, with the right plan and support, we can get through this and maybe even learn something. It just takes a little organizing and prioritizing, and maybe a bowl of spaghetti with a movie to watch with it, too – which will have to do until we are invited back to the theatre. And that’s just fine.
I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write about you and your passions for the Braves The Waves Journal, or for your own company, please be in touch.