7 Tips On How To Stay Sane In Uncertain Times
As of late, we’ve all had little room to focus on much else outside of the rise and looming threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its global spread.
We’ve been bombarded with dismal news articles, tragic fatality updates and a barrage of messages from various government officials warning us to stay socially distant and prepare to quarantine for the foreseeable future.
As we are all coming to know, our social lives as we once knew them or at least the options we regularly held, have been locked down. And although we’ve managed to find some humor in the situation— there is no doubt plenty of room here to feel anxious, depressed and stuck.
Here are 7 simple tips that may not bring the end we all desire to this COVID madness—but will hopefully make this pandemic much more manageable and help boost our mental, emotional, and physical immune systems.
1. Eat Clean
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I know a lot of us have stocked up on non-perishables but it is a huge boost to your immune system to consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Filling our bodies with heavy carbohydrates (pasta and rice for example) or sugar can cause us to feel sluggish and has had a proven negative effect on our moods. So, even if it’s just a healthy breakfast or some added healthy sides at lunch or dinner, try to eat as colorfully as you can!
2. Drink Water
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While there’s a lot of misinformation being passed around regarding how the Coronavirus (or any virus) works (there is no way to “flush” out a virus)—drinking water is always a great idea in boosting your immune system. This virus does not affect our water supply so feel free to use your filter systems as well. Water has natural calming properties and while it won’t completely dissipate feelings of anxiety, it will soothe them. Sugary drinks have the opposite effect and have been proven to make us more anxious. Water has always been one of nature’s most basic and most potent remedies. Mother Nature for the win, again!
3. Meditate
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Even if it’s 15 minutes daily, heck, even if it's just 5 minutes— centering yourself and meditating in a quiet space can help you remain calm and grounded despite the chaos surrounding us. Meditating on what we’re grateful for and what makes us happy can help us to remember to be even more appreciative of all we do have despite what we’ve lost temporarily. Quieting our negative thoughts allows clarity and serenity an opportunity to stay at the forefront of our minds.
4. Start a Friend or Family Chat
A great way to stay in contact with family and friends, especially the ones we’re used to seeing regularly, is to start and maintain a group chat. Now, I know it can be annoying getting the constant notifications or chain mail—but it’s also a great opportunity to vent, share your quarantine activities, let someone know you may need help or share information and updates. It’s also the perfect way to stay in touch with older family and friends (directly or indirectly) and make sure they’re safe and have what they need.
5. Be Creative
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There’s no better time to dive into those creative projects you’ve been waiting to “find the time” for. Whether it’s starting a blog, writing a book, painting, choreographing a dance, or creating visual art— this quarantine provides an opportunity to explore whatever you may have placed on the back-burner. And for my fellow melanin mamas, this is a great time to bust out the finger paint, puzzles, karaoke, and other fun child-friendly arts and crafts!
6. Try New Recipes
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Most of us will need to rely on our kitchens for a while, so why not try cooking something you’ve always wanted to? It’s fun and can provide nourishment for you and yours for days if necessary. The internet has a plethora of recipes easily accessible but perhaps try including a cookbook from a woman of color in your next Amazon order. And if push comes to shove, Pinterest hardly ever fails :)
7. Write
As a writer, I would be remiss if I didn’t include this one! Using a journal to write out your thoughts can have such an incredibly beneficial effect on helping process negative emotions and it will likely help you put things in perspective. A journal is alike the silent therapist you never knew you needed. It can be a safe place to get out any and everything you’re feeling. From the joyous surprises to your fears and frustrations. It’s also a great place to vent your feelings, if you’re quarantined with others and tensions may be on edge. One day, hopefully, sooner rather than later, we’ll be able to look back on whatever form of documentation we use and remember how we pushed through this very unprecedented time in history.
