How to Enhance Your Well-Being in this Pandemic
Article by Lauren Davidson
Throughout the pandemic, we have been given numerous recommendations for maintaining our well-being during such a challenging time. We are told to stay in touch with others via our screens, not to be too hard on ourselves because the situation is beyond our control, and more than anything, we are told to go for walks. Lots and lots of walks. I’m not here to say that there is anything wrong with going for a walk – I love walks – but sometimes a walk simply isn’t enough to uplift your well-being, especially during a pandemic.
It’s also recommended to maintain a daily routine, but it’s hard to know what to include in that routine when so many activities are currently restricted. It’s also difficult to get up and follow a schedule every day when our motivation levels continue to drop. We’ve been in this pandemic for over a year, so it is completely understandable that so many of us lack the motivation to keep pushing through one boring day after another. Yet, there are activities that I believe are beneficial in restoring one’s well-being and motivation. These activities can also help break up the mundane daily routines that we have been trapped in.
In total, I’ve compiled a list of five things that you can do to try to make each day even just a little bit better. Personally, I’ve given all these suggestions a shot and truly saw improvements in my drive to get up and get through the day. I can’t promise you the same results, but the list is worth a chance.
1. Writing a journal entry each morning
This one is my favourite, so I thought I’d start with it! To be completely honest, I was a little hesitant to get a morning journal because I never really liked journaling in the past, but this type of journaling is different. It’s like a check-in for yourself and it only takes a few minutes in the morning before you start your day. I didn’t want to purchase a $30 journal, so I found an affordable one on Amazon. On each page is a “Reflections” section where I talk about how the week is going, a “Blessings” section where I just write out my affirmations, a “Struggles” section where I can vent about any challenges I may be facing, and finally a “Goals” section where I set my goals for that day. I love the journal I bought, but if you would rather just use a blank journal that you already have, you can write out these titles yourself! If you’d prefer a digital journal, you can use one of the several free journaling apps on the app store. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed this activity as it has helped me set good intentions for the day, so I only hope it can do the same for you.
2. Saying daily affirmations
While this one may seem silly at first, I can assure you that it’s worth it. All you need to do is write down some affirmations and say them out loud to yourself in the mirror every day. If you have a “Blessings” section in your journal – like I previously mentioned – you can read those out loud instead of writing a new set of affirmations. Saying these affirmations everyday can help you overcome any negative or self-sabotaging thoughts, and instead, you may start to believe the positive statements you are saying. To get you started, here is an example of what your daily affirmations might look like:
“I am happy. I am beautiful. I am healthy. I am strong. I love my body. I attract positivity. I attract opportunity. I attract love. I am kind. I am smart. I am confident. I am successful. I am worthy of all the blessings coming my way.”
3. Meditating or practicing yoga
I have tried both meditation and yoga, but I find that it ultimately comes down to preference. Personally, I enjoy yoga more. Both are helpful for relaxation and restoring a sense of peace within ourselves. I simply enjoy yoga more because it also allows me to stretch out my body, which feels amazing. Neither activity requires a significant amount of time and both are excellent ways of starting or breaking up the day. I prefer to do a quick ten minute session of yoga in the morning, and I’ve found that the YouTube channel “Yoga with Kassandra” has some amazing videos (especially for beginners). As for meditation, setting aside even 5-10 minutes to close your eyes, clear your mind, and focus on your breath is healthy and can reduce both stress and anxiety.
4. Reading or colouring
These are amazing activities for getting away from your screens and taking your mind off the pandemic. Enter a new and exciting world with a good book, let your inner child come out as you colour in the pages of a colouring book, or do both! I find that both these activities are great at night when you are trying to wind down and de-stress before bed. They help to relax your mind and can help you get a great night’s sleep.
5. Avoiding your phone at the start and end of each day
My final suggestion is avoiding any and all screens for at least half an hour when you wake up in the morning and half an hour before you go to sleep at night. It is definitely easier said than done, but 100% worth it. If you’re like me and find it hard to just jump out of bed every morning, instead of mindlessly scrolling on social media, read a chapter from a book. It’s something you’ll enjoy, and it relieves you from staring at a screen as soon as you wake up. Putting down your phone at least half an hour before bed is also very important. The blue light from our phones actually restrains the production of melatonin, meaning it can be harder to fall asleep. Instead, maybe try what is listed above in suggestion #4 before you settle down for your beauty sleep.
I know that this pandemic seems never-ending, but its end will come, and hopefully some of these suggestions can help you in getting through the remainder of it. These wellness activities can even be implemented after we have made it through the pandemic. Wellness is essential to living a happy life after all!
Yoga with Kassandra Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithkassandra/videos