Do you remember what life was like just two short months ago?
Think back. Does it seem like it was ages ago?
Did you wake up early to a morning alarm? Your morning routine before work or school may have been quick and hurried. Your day was perhaps filled with non stop work, childcare, meetings, and an infinite amount of driving. There may have been quick stops to the store, the post office, the dry cleaners. Appointments at the doctor, the dentist, the hair salon were ticked off in your calendar. You may have gotten together with a friend for coffee, or a group for happy hour. Perhaps you went to your child’s sporting events or recitals. Did you find time to squeeze in some exercise? Did you call your mother this week?
Our world of “Stay at Home” during this COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed all of our lives. Common feelings that many report are fear, uncertainty, and loss of control, especially about the future. Amidst these uncertain and unpredictable times, have you stopped to notice what parts of your daily life you may have underappreciated (besides the ability to find toilet paper on the store shelves on any given day)?
It is well documented that positive thoughts and feelings contribute to stress reduction and overall wellness. What kinds of “silver linings” have you found amidst the cloud of COVID-19 “Stay at Home” life? In an effort to continually work on our own wellness, the RT+ trainers came up with our own list of silver linings:
Spending more quality time with family is hands down, the silver lining that comes up the most often. Rather than rushing in the morning, barely seeing each other during the day, and having older children who are off at school and jobs…..Families have taken more time to spend doing things that they previously never had “the time for”. Whether that is watching your baby grow up before your eyes (rather than in day care), taking walks with your spouse, or bonding with your college age child while doing a puzzle or playing cards.
Technology is nothing new, but to some of us, it has become a fresh way to stay connected. Zoom meetings are the norm now, but I had never thought of having a Zoom meeting with my West coast family on a birthday, or having happy hour with college friends who now live all over the country. Talking on the phone again has replaced texting. Reconnecting more often with far away friends and family has been a new silver lining!
Spring is blossoming and the weather is gradually warming. People are outside more than ever. More time means more time to spend outside, enjoying the springtime sights, smell of fresh cut grass, and peeks of sunshine.
During the rat race of life, were you always saying to yourself…”when I have the time I will…..” Well the time is now. Closets are getting cleaned out, books are getting read and shows are getting caught up on. Different ways of cooking and grilling are being explored….how many new dishes have you tried?
Have you always taken care of everyone else’s wellness while ignoring your own? More time to engage in self care also ranks high as a silver lining. For the first time ever, I can take a live exercise class online from a studio in Los Angeles and still have time to shower afterwards. No plane ticket needed.
Finding silver linings is not just a coping mechanism to use during this pandemic. Take those positives and know that when we are back to our pre COVID-19 busy schedules someday, we will remember the things that mattered the most to us during a difficult time. And hopefully we will continue to apply those things when we live life EVERY DAY!