September 10
10 Actionable tips you can focus on during quarantine
0 comments
10 ACTIONABLE TIPS TO FOCUS ON DURING A QUARANTINE
I don’t even know what day we are on during this quarantine, and it doesn’t matter. One day, we are going to look back at this and remind ourselves how the simple yet challenging act of slowing down changed our lives forever.
On the bright side of this, my dog is in pure heaven with a steady stream of love and attention. My kids are ecstatic to have their dad (my hubs) home. He travels extensively during the winter months, so this is actually a treat for all of us (well, most of the time)! It’s interesting when you start focusing on what you have, instead of on the what-ifs or what is going wrong, you appreciate the little and meaningful things in life. Here in Reno, we have received more snow in the last few weeks than we have all season long. The way the sun glistens on the snow, the gorgeous sunrises every morning, the sounds of spring – the birds singing their song and the chorus of peepers at night.
Whatever you focus your attention on will expand. I often have to remind myself of that, especially when I turn on the news or scroll through social media – which can be a total energy drain. So if you are fueling your attention with judgement and wanting to know what will happen next, you will perpetuate thoughts that support anxiety, fear, and negativity.
It’s a vicious cycle and fortunately, can be broken.
Here are 10 things you can do today to focus your energy on during a quarantine.
1) Begin or end your day with gratitude
Oprah Winfrey has a beautiful quote, “Being grateful all the time isn’t easy. But it’s when you least feel thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It’s the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life — this I know for sure” She captures gratitude so elegantly. It helps you gain perspective on what is happening now and allows you to look through the lens of possibility and love.
2) Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel today”?
This is such a simple question, yet we often fail to think about it. Be intentional and direct your thoughts to something that serves you. Use a descriptive word other than good or amazing to set yourself up and remind yourself of that feeling throughout the day during this quarantine. Take charge of your mind because your thoughts become your feelings. I have a daily focus guide that I use that helps me be more deliberate with my time and my energy. This is a free tool that you can download here.
3) Adorn yourself with a beautiful piece of jewelry, clothing, makeup or shoes!
Just because you aren’t leaving the house doesn’t mean you can’t dress up and feel totally amazing. Break out the Gucci belt, the bright scarf, the bright red lipstick, or the nostalgic piece of jewelry from your Grandma. Wear your crystals! I have a friend that has a crystal crown that makes her feel empowered and energized. Do something that makes you feel alive and beautiful.
4) Take a warm bath with essential oils, Epsom salts, and candles
Not much to say other than this is a wonderful way to calm your nerves and wash away your troubles during this quarantine. It’s soothing, relaxing, and cleanses your body, mind, and spirit.
5) GET OUTSIDE
Nature is the BEST medicine. Open a window, step outside, take a brisk walk around your yard, or the block. If you can go for a walk or hike, do it! Fresh air and vitamin D are wonder drugs.
6) Schedule a few blocks of time to accomplish what you need to do
Especially if you are new to working from home, having a schedule will help you be accountable to yourself, your work, and keep your mind in check especially with a different/new environment and the stream of distractions during a quarantine.
7) Take an online yoga or exercise class
It amazes me how quickly businesses have adapted to this new way of living and are utilizing technology to continue to provide their services creatively. My kids are doing their martial arts classes through zoom. The yoga studio I attend regularly is offering their classes on Facebook live. Shout out to my friend and teacher Jennifer Wallis at Sparkle Yoga Reno for keeping us moving on our mats. Group exercise classes are happening in living rooms across the country. This is a great time to support local businesses and teachers and learn something in the comfort of your own home.
8) Organize
If you have found yourself saying, I don’t have time… to organize your closet, the junk drawer, your boot collection, the garage, the linen closet, and so on, you can’t use that excuse anymore. You have time! If this seems overwhelming to you, you aren’t alone. Start small and set a timer for 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes a day will move you closer to removing clutter and the things that you no longer need. Clutter is stuck energy, and if you can clear the clutter in your house, it will help you clear away mental clutter as well. If you need some more inspiration and ideas, I wrote a blog post, 3 ways to remove clutter now, and you can read about it here.
9) Move your body
As a personal trainer, I am a huge proponent of movement. There are numerous benefits from increased muscle endurance and flexibility, improved balance and muscular coordination, increased metabolism & energy, not to mention those feel-good endorphins that help reduce stress and anxiety. Find something that you like to do and make it happen. Walking, hiking, biking, yoga, barre, tai-chi, HIIT, and strength training are a few ways you can move your body at home right now.
10) Give yourself a break
I have read in numerous places to take advantage of this time to write the book, start the blog, produce copy for your email list, finish the course you signed up for months ago, learn to play an instrument, or clean your closet (haha). While all of these are great ideas – don’t feel like you HAVE to do any of them. Productivity and busyness are not indications of your worthiness. You are enough, and you are worthy regardless of what you do or don’t do. Give yourself permission to just be and let that flow into your body and then let it go during this quarantine. When you start resisting these thoughts, you will fixate on the notion that you aren’t worthy because you aren’t feeling like doing whatever everyone else is doing.
Be you, do what YOU need to do for you and your family, and don’t subscribe to other’s expectations unless they are what you want for yourself. Focus on the now and enjoy the present moment because that is all we are guaranteed.