Mental Health in a time of pandemic: Part III

From the Rice Museum near Portland, OR

This instillation on caring for our well-being during the pandemic focuses on curiosity and connectivity!

Stay curious

Since everyone is in this together, many places that would have required in-person attendance are now providing virtual resources. Take advantage of this free opportunity to enjoy sights and sounds that would have cost money to enjoy before!

-          Take a virtual tour of an art museum. Many museums, including Chicago's own Art Institute, are allowing for virtual tours of exhibits. https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

-          Watch a professional performance. Since live performances are not possible, watch a Broadway show or popular artist streamed right through your computer! https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/all-musicians-streaming-live-concerts.html

-          Read a new book. Here is a list of some great books you can download to an e-reader https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011

-          Try a new recipe. There is no better time to try out some new meals than when you have plenty of time at home! Here are some simple ingredient recipes that don’t take too much time and have household ingredients. https://ifoodreal.com/clean-eating-recipes-dinners/

-          Watch a new series, movie, or documentary. Most of us have some type of streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.) and if we don’t, we have a friend or family member’s login information J. There are even some new movies in theatres that are currently streaming on these services. Plus, there is a wide array of new series and documentaries to watch. Here is a list of some recommended series: https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/best-shows-on-netflix/.

Stay connected

Human beings are not meant to exist in isolation. Studies from solitary confinement in prisons demonstrate the damage that social isolation has on our emotional health. The good news is that we can still stay connected even if we can’t be physically with others.

-          Video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, WebEx, and Microsoft Groups offer free accounts and allow you to talk with multiple people at once. Set up a family Zoom call and see everyone’s face at once! https://zoom.us/

-          Schedule individual FaceTime or Skype dates with friends and loved ones. Have a meal together, watch a show together, do a workout together, or just chat. This can be a way to connect and still feel like you are engaged with others.

-          Start a book club. Perhaps you have a text thread with a group that you don’t get to spend a whole lot of time with anymore. Pick a book, read it, and discuss all together!

-          Write a letter. Snail mail might be making a comeback! Take time to write a personal note and send it to a family members (perhaps one who is less technologically inclined).

-          Join or start a group meditation or group prayer. Many congregations are streaming services and engaging in prayer virtually – if a place of worship is important to you, join!

-          Start or join a virtual dance party. There are DJs hosting sets, where multiple people are tuning in and having a living room dance party at night – this is also a chance to get active! https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9340211/dj-d-nices-virtual-social-distancing-dance-party-drew-vips-like-michelle-obama-missy-elliott-more

Mental Health in a time of pandemic: Part II

As a continuation of my last blog post on dealing with Covid19, here is the second part of the University of Illinois-Chicago's recommendations.

Stay Active

Another thing we know from research is that physical activity releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood. Staying active can also help you feel healthy and accomplished, and it is another way to help bring structure to your day.

-          Schedule a time of day, a duration, and physical space for your workout that has a high likelihood of happening. For example, if you’re not a morning person, it wouldn’t be wise to go for a 6am 2-hour workout. Similarly, if you typically eat at 6pm, a 6:30 workout also wouldn’t be the best idea. Shoot for a time when you have a break in your schedule, a duration that fits your pre-COVID behaviors, and a space that is conducive to working out.

-          Try one of the dozens of free workout apps or websites! This is a link to 50 (five-zero) of the best free, at-home workout sites/videos/routines. There is every type of workout you could ask for, from yoga to high intensity interval training (HIIT), to Pilates.  https://makeyourbodywork.com/how-to-exercise-at-home/

-          Instead of viewing this as a time where you are unable to be as active as you would like (i.e., go to the gym, commute to work, take walks), use this as a time to explore fitness genres you may never have tried before. Perhaps you have always gravitated toward weightlifting – give kickboxing a try. Maybe you have been a core power person – see what a HIIT workout feels like. This could easily be turned into a specific goal on your daily to-do list.

-          GO OUTSIDE. Quarantined and/or sheltered in place does not mean you can’t still walk/run/bike outside (just maintain 6 feet of distance from your neighbors). People need fresh air, and nothing makes you want to be back at home more than a little Chicago weather fatigue. Luckily it’s not too cold at this point to enjoy being outside, so take a walk on your lunch break, walk the stairs of your local park, take an animal for an extra long walk, or take a nice jog outside.