Sustaining sanity
Photo by Loaded Sky
Last week, the mental and emotional oppression of being in confinement began to weigh heavily on me. Though my sleep had been restful, I would open my eyes in the morning thinking: here we go again (face masks, gloves, hand washing until the skin on my hands peel, no hugs, walking away from people, not being able to read their expressions or see their smiles).
How much longer will this go on?
What once felt novel; i.e. a forced staycation and Zoom/Hollywood Squares style happy hours and workouts, no longer quells the underlying desire to be free. How can we find sanity when our internal capacity to bear any more, for any longer is quickly maxing out?
Concrete answers, I have not. But here are some suggestions that helped me.
ROUTINE
My morning routine is sacred to my sanity on any normal day. The “new” normal is re-creating a basic, scheduled routine for the entire day. Every day. This does not need to be rigid or repetitive. But on each day, there IS a schedule.
For me, this is what a day can look like:
Wake up naturally between 6 and 6:30am.
Perform a few mobility exercises (some combination of joint mobility or CARS, push-ups, squats, jumping on the rebounder)
Meditate for about 20-30 minutes.
Make the bed. (This is 100% crucial).
Drink a large glass of water with lemon and a bit of sea salt.
Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Go out for a brisk walk or run or do an indoor workout.
Shower and get dressed.
Work for 2-3 hours.
Lunch.
Either more work or an activity with my daughter (home schooling help or a craft, etc)
Work for another hour or two.
Dinner prep, maybe on Zoom with a friend or client.
Eat dinner.
Evening free time: a walk/games/karaoke/ movie.
Meditate for 15-20 minutes.
Bed.
FOCUS ON HEALTH
Self care is more important than ever. Now is not the time to medicate ourselves with habits that detract from our health and wellness. Exercise, healthy eating and quality sleep are things we have significant control over. Holding on to that is important. Meditation, among so many other positive things, minimizes the possibility of rancid thoughts from becoming long term residents in our minds. I’ve added to my day a second time slot to meditate. And it has helped.
CONNECT
Every day I have been making a point out of connecting with a person I have not communicated with in a long while. Anyone who crosses my mind. It could be a distant friend or family member. It could be a simple hello or a sincere expression of gratitude for what ever way that person has touched my life. Reaching outward helps feed internally.
BE FORGIVING
It is ok to be vulnerable/sad/angry/moody - insane for a bit. It is ok to take a break. To be lost. Surrender and offer yourself kindness.
Then step outside, take a deep breath of fresh air.
And get back to your schedule.