There is no doubt that this new order to “Stay Home” raises many challenges. The struggle is real for us and our families! So what are some simple and effective ways to keep you and your family mentally and physically healthy through this uncertain time? Here are some tips and ideas to keep your body and mind strong and healthy:
Get Creative - Studies have shown that drawing, coloring and writing can help reduce anxiety and stress and help you process trauma. It’s amazing the difference in attitude of myself and my kids when I turn on some music and set out the drawing paper, coloring books or legos. Just give it a try….no big crafty production needed. Just set out paper and supplies, let you kids do the rest.
30 minutes of Exercises a Day - Actually, lets bump it up to 60 minutes! Exercises has many benefits including the ability to reduce stress, assist in weight management and fights many diseases. But, in case you need another reason to follow this recommendation, let me give you my most recent experience with how a 60 minute walk improved my mood. Just the other day, my husband suggested that we go for a walk around a local lake. From the time he mentioned the idea to the time I got I took my first step on the trail, I was mad, annoyed and was giving my family the silent treatment. I don’t know what happened in that short amount of time traveling to the trail. Maybe it was how loud my husband was chewing an apple, the fact that my son wanted to bring his football because “walks are boring” or that my daughter fought me on wearing a helmet…going for a 4 mile walk with my people was the last thing I wanted to do. However, by the end of the 60 minute walk, I was once again speaking to my family, I was smiling….I maybe even laughed a little. This is a very difficult and challenging time for us all. But we need to fight those negative and anxious thoughts. So increase the time of your activity and get moving.
Drink water,and lots of it! - Water is essential for our day to day life! It gives us more energy by delivering oxygen throughout the body, boosts your skin and appearance, helps us think better, regulates body temperature….the list goes on and on. Do you find it difficult to drink the recommended amount of water needed in a day? Try to start the day strong. I pour myself of glass of water every night and set it on my nightstand, not to drink before bed or during the night, but to drink when I wake up. That way, before my feet hit the floor, I already have had at least 10oz to start my day. The rest of the day, I always try to drink another 10 to 16oz of water before I sit down for a meal. Not only will this trick help you reach your daily recommended intake, but it fills the voids and keeps you from overeating as well.
Don’t be hard on yourself! - Now that my husband is working from home, my kids are currently being home schooled and my studio is temporarily closed, we are getting a lot of time together no doubt! Even though we have this beautiful gift of time, you don’t have to be the perfect mom or dad and make every moment count. We’ve made a lot of sweet little memories these past two weeks, but there have been days when I was way too hard on myself because I feel like I’m not making the best use of my time. But it’s time to give this extra bit of stress a REST and let me introduce you to FREE FRIDAYS. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I can’t! This idea comes from a good friend of mine that knows that the struggles are real, and sometimes, we just need a nap. It’s 11am, I’m obviously embracing the fact that it is FREE Friday because I am still in my jammies!
So friends, take care, be well, and give yourself a break.