10 Tips to Stay Sane During this Insane Time...
By: Blanche Shaheen/Arab America Contributing Writer
Despite all of the catastrophes that have occurred throughout history, never before have we witnessed this complete halt to daily life on such a massive and global scale. Empty streets, closed up businesses, lonely park swings swaying alone in desolate parks, silent schools with nary a school bell ringing, canceled sports and public events, mounting bills, and dwindling paychecks.
This is also the first time people have been exposed to the casualties of the pandemic in real-time, with graphic upon graphic detailing mounting death tolls, government lockdowns, and decimated supermarkets turning into literal war-zones over toilet paper. Apocalyptic phrases unheard of just two months ago have now become standard diction, like “shelter in place,” “social distancing,” and “government lockdown.”
With all of these simultaneous stressors, it would be easy to give in to deep anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness, but never before has it been more important to stay positive. As a parent myself trying to juggle all of my responsibilities with now the addition of homeschooling my children, I have adopted some coping mechanisms to stay strong and productive during this turbulent time. Here are 10 tips that I hope you find useful.
- Maintain a daily schedule. It can be easy to stay in your pajamas all day but that is not conducive to productivity. Get up the same time you usually do, write a daily memo of things you want to accomplish for work from home or around your house and check off each task you do on the list
- Make sure you eat healthy whole foods and stay away from processed foods and refined sugar, which lower your immunity. Even if only non-perishable foods are available, make sure they are whole foods, from unrefined grains, and dried fruits and nuts to canned fish and chicken and plant milk in cans or cartons.
- Try out new recipes that you have never tried before. Now with restaurants offering limited services, learning how to cook from home is a valuable skill that will not only save you money but offer a creative time where you can forget everything else around you and focus on your senses.
- Start your day affirming 5 things you are grateful for, and write them down in a daily journal. Count on what you do have, from running water, electricity and healthy children, etc. to help stay positive.
- Reach out to loved ones on social media or the Zoom app. Through Zoom people are now participating in virtual meetings, exercise classes, and even parties! All of these activities help us stay connected as social beings
- If you have the capacity, make sure people in need get help, from the elderly in your family that need a grocery run, or homeless people in your neighborhood needing toiletry or food packages that you can put together as a family
- Start do it yourself projects. Been meaning to clean out your closets, organize photos, clean out your car, hang up pictures, donate clothing, or put together a shed? Now is the time to do it.
- Finish up that novel or magazines that have been collecting dust by the side of your bed. There is also no time like the present to learn new languages or play an instrument that has been hiding in your closet.
- Take the time to connect spiritually, through prayer and mediation. According to Harvard scientist Herbert Benson, MD, who has conducted his own studies on prayer, all forms of prayer evoke a relaxation response that quells stress, quiets the body, and promotes healing.
- Connect with nature. Whether you go on a walk, get fresh air on your balcony, or set up your garden for summer, vitamin D from the sun is a proven immunity booster!
Of course, you can reach out to others by vlogging on social media like I did, in this YouTube video below where I took my viewers on a walk with me to give them a pep talk.
No matter what place you are in your life, you can use this unprecedented time to accomplish things you never knew you could, whether working on your physical and mental health, decreasing the clutter in your life, or learning something new. In this time of darkness, it is the little things we do each day that can create light and strength, and may you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
Blanche Shaheen is a journalist, host of the YouTube cooking show called Feast in the Middle East and a cookbook author. For more authentic and classical Middle Eastern recipes, you can now purchase her brand new cookbook: “Feast in the Middle East, A Personal Journey of Family and Cuisine” by clicking HERE:https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/2189
To check out her cooking video tutorials and other recipes follow Blanche on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/blanchetv
Her blog at https://feastinthemiddleeast.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blanchemedia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeastinTheMiddleEast
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