How do you rest, reset, and reframe your mindset during a pandemic?
I originally drafted this post in late March, but thanks to my knack for starting things and not finishing them, this post never made it to the blog. I started this entry to help us navigate the unpredictable, confusing times of the novel Coronavirus. But as I got caught up with other things, I kept thinking that the pandemic would be over soon.
But the days turned into weeks.
The weeks turned into months.
And now a whole year has practically flown by.
Virtual hangouts are the new norm. Takeout dinners are common occurrences. Masks are part of your essential attire. Gym time now means working out in our rooms. Vacations abroad seem but a distant memory.
Even though it’s been almost a year, many of us are still adjusting. While some of you have established routines (kudos to you!), others are still trying to figure it out. Maybe you’re expecting things to return back to normal soon, so you haven’t quite committed to a new routine. Or perhaps you just don’t know where to start. Or you’re one of the many with your anxiety at an all-time high, and you don’t know how to turn if off.
If that’s you, the first thing I want to tell you is: you are not alone. You are not alone, and you don’t have to struggle alone.
The second is this: your feelings are valid, so don’t take on more of a burden by feeling guilty. As humans, we have tendencies to seek control and security. When those are taken from us, we may naturally feel negative emotions, thoughts, and energies. And that’s okay.
It’s okay to feel those things, but can I encourage you NOT to stay there?
Having those feelings and thoughts are valid, but staying in them and letting those hold you back from enjoying the present moment doesn’t serve you. Instead, use this time to rest, reset, and reframe your mindset. Below, I’ll share some actionable tips that have helped me most during this time.
Rest, reset, reframe your mindset
1. Spend 10 minutes each morning to clear your mind.
When you wake up, instead of reaching for your phone, spend some quiet time to frame your positive mindset for the day. These early hours are the best as your body and mind are the most refreshed. Use this time before your to-do lists and worries fill your mind. Whether it’s praying, meditating, journaling, or something else, dedicate ten minutes without any distractions to allow yourself to process and ground your thoughts. Set your intentions for the day, and clear your mind of negative thoughts that do not serve you. Focus on the good ones that will fuel you throughout the day.
2. Write down one thing you are thankful for every day.
It doesn’t have to be profound. It can be anything! Your bed. The avocado toast for breakfast. A random act of kindness. The internet connection. Your family that sometimes drives you nuts but will always have your back. Eyes to see the beauty in the world. A heart that beats for you.
Write down your thoughts of gratitude or type it somewhere and add to this list daily. On the difficult days, you can look back on it and be reminded of how much you have to be thankful for. Learning to be grateful will help to rewire your brain and reframe your mindset to seek the positive.
3. Set positive affirmations for yourself.
Write out 1-3 positive affirmations each week and keep it somewhere you can see it easily every day. For example, one can be – “I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.” See the image for one of my weekly affirmation sets.
Repeat your affirmations to yourself every day, as often as you need. Focusing on positive affirmations will, as you guessed, also help to reframe your mindset! It will train you to practice positive thinking, which is good for both mental health and your success.
4. Move your body.
Stretch, walk, exercise, workout. Not being able to go out creates an even bigger chance to veg out at home. You may be sitting for long hours without moving, which is NOT healthy for your body. So get up and move! Exercising has been shown to release endorphins which boost your mood. It can help you to feel and think better, so dedicate some time to exercise. Also take small stretch breaks throughout the day!
5. Clear the clutter.
One of the small but effective actions you can take is to make clean space. If your desk or room is cluttered, it may subconsciously clutter your mind. Or your setting might be a reflection of how you feel. Either way, a mess will likely give you a sense of unease. You might have a nagging thought that you need to declutter but you keep pushing it aside because you’re “busy.” That will only stress yo out, so take the time to clean it up, throw away things you don’t need, store the things you’ll use at a later time. It’ll help set your mind at ease, restore order, and get you in the right mindset to focus on other tasks.
6. Get dressed.
Whether you’re taking classes online or working from home, it’s important to establish a routine. This includes getting dressed. Wear an outfit each day as if you’re going to school or work (but maybe something a wee bit more comfortable). It might not seem like a big deal, but being dressed properly helps to differentiate between your “office” and “home” settings and gets you into the mindset that you’re ready to work.
7. Create a schedule.
Create a schedule daily schedule and a bigger picture weekly schedule, and STICK TO IT. Schedule in your work, breaks, meals, time to check and respond to E-mail, etc. Having a schedule will help you to prioritize and get things done. Instead of getting distracted by your social media 50 times a day and not finishing your work, commit to you schedule to complete your necessary tasks.
And if social media gives you anxiety, learn to turn it off and leave it out of the schedule. Or if you must, limit the amount of time you spend on it!
8. Surround yourself with people who empower and encourage you.
It’s 2020, and no one needs extra negativity. Create boundaries with others, and learn to tune out or remove yourself from toxic environments. Find people who encourage you and bring you a peace of mind instead. Community is more important than ever, and even if you’re an introvert like me, you’ll find that having a supportive friend or two is essential to navigating these times.
9. Sleep early and establish a good sleeping pattern.
I don’t know if you can relate, but over the past few years, I’ve developed a habit of sleeping REALLY late. Sometimes 2 AM, sometimes later. Sometimes I have to wake up super early, but I’ll still sleep late because my body surprisingly functions with little sleep. But just because I can, does that mean I should? No. Your body needs an adequate amount of sleep to function at its optimal state. And that means 7-9 hours a night. Not too little, not too much because oversleeping can also make you tired. After implementing better sleep pattern myself, I can tell you that it makes a world of difference. My mind is more focused, my body more energized, and I feel better able to tackle the world.
Have you tried any of these?
What are some changes you’ve made to help you navigate these times? I’d love to hear from you!
