Tips to Combat the Quarantine Blues

It’s 2020, we’re out of work, out of toilet paper and aren’t supposed to leave the house until further notice. As epic of a movie this may be, it is unfortunately the reality we are in as a nation today.

Despite the madness that is happening on the outside, now more than ever it is important to take care of what’s happening on the INSIDE. I hope that these tips find you well as you embark on the next couple of weeks within the walls of your quarantined quarters. Enjoy!

Maintain Some Sense of Normalcy

In uncertain times, it is important to maintain the most amount of normalcy as possible. Believe me, I have 0 intentions of waking up at 4AM everyday but continuing to set my alarm clock and carrying out my normal morning routine will help not only with productivity levels now but even more so when life gets back to the way we once knew it to be.

I’d encourage you to get up each day, make your normal cup of coffee, take a moment to write down 3 things that you are grateful for and establish your plan for the day. I also highly encourage you to get out of your PJs! Even if only to put on your cutest athleisure set, getting dressed will help put you in a better mood and increase your productivity around the house.

Get Outside

Make it a point to soak up some sunshine at least once a day. The higher your Vitamin D levels are, the more likely you are to feel happier. Go for a run, walk your dog or fire up the grill for a meal on the patio.

Fuel Your Body Well

As needy as we are for comfort right now, seeking it through means of food will not be the answer. In fact, doing so may lead to increased anxiety and depression (a.k.a. Quarantine Blues). Do your best to stay away from highly processed, greasy and sugar coated foods. Instead, opt for nutrient dense foods that keep your brain and mood at a high functioning level.

Below are some foods that boost happiness and help with overall brain functions (so if you’re stocking up on anything, do so with these!)

• Salmon: Fatty fish like salmon and albacore tuna are rich in two types of omega-3s, both of which are linked to lower levels of depression.
• Dark Chocolate: Rich in mood boosting compounds, eating chocolate is the easiest advice I’ve ever given! However, it’s best to opt for dark chocolate since milk chocolate contains added ingredients like sugar and fat.
• Berries: Berries pack a wide range of antioxidants which may help manage inflammation associated with depression and other mood disorders.
• Sweet Potatoes (+turmeric): Turmeric is both a blood cleaner and an anti-inflammatory. The cleaner our blood is, the more flow there will be, thus promoting positive shifts in your bodies’ energy.

Continue to Move Your Body

Despite the shut down of all gyms and fitness facilities, working out and moving your body does not have to stop. Instagram, YouTube and Facebook are all flooded with online access to “at home” workouts that you can take advantage of for FREE!

Some at-home workout resources for you:

• Orangetheory Fitness “At Home”
• Live Streamed Yoga (everyday at 9AM)
• SweatNet GR
• Plus, Ronnie Powell, aka DJ Truth is live streaming music through his Facebook everyday to help keep you motivated and moving. Check out his page HERE!

Time is on Your Side– Take Advantage of it!

If there’s something we can all be grateful for during this season, it’s time, and more of it! Now is your chance to start crossing things off of that ever-growing “to-do” list. It’s your opportunity to get around to those tasks that you’d do “if only you had the time”. You do! Don’t look back on these weeks having accomplished nothing more than 3 new series on Netflix.

Check out some of these resources to help guide your productivity in the coming weeks and feel free to share some of your own tips with me in the comments!

• The 14 Day Mini Home Edit
• Read: Atomic Habit
• Goodness with G 30-Day Spring Cleaning Wellness Challenge

Meditate

Anxiety levels are likely higher than ever before with the uncertainty of what the next day, week or months will bring. If there’s one thing I’d encourage you to do during this time, it’d be to meditate (and wash your hands, of course). Meditation eases the draining effects of anxiety, it naturally restores balance to your mind and body plus, meditating can help you tap into exactly what you need in that moment.

Some meditation resources for you:

• How to Meditate for Anxiety
• Meditation Apps: Calm, Headspace: Meditation & Sleep

Connect With Loved Ones

Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

Brené Brown

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We are lucky enough to live in a day and age in which community and connection are at the touch of our fingertips. Make it a point to connect with your loved ones, check in on that friend that no longer has a steady income or the grandparent you haven’t spoken with in months. We’re all in this together, and we can all get through this, but it has to be TOGETHER.

Carry on, Warriors

XX, Paige