re-channeling energy

it’s hard to believe it has been almost five months of this new way of life.

I keep looking back to they way my life, and myself, was before all of this began. before we had to worry about leaving our homes for the sake of our health, before masks were a thing, or seeing friends was a daily occurrence. each time I think back on that time, I immediately begin to tell myself “its ok, it will all return to normal soon.” but in reality the only ‘normal’ is the present moment. and the present is the only thing that we have.

i feel like I have wasted a lot of time feeling scared and anxious about life, but have come to realize that these feelings are natural and normal and need to be experienced fully. these feelings, however, are draining and sometimes we just need to feel like ourselves again. something helpful to me has been to identify the things that make me happy everyday and make sure that I can implement them in my daily life. these are the parts of my life that make me feel like me, and that have helped get me through some rough days in quarantine.

1. meditation

   • even if it’s just for five minutes, sit with yourself in silence. relax your body and breathe. when I meditate, I make it my goal to empty my mind. the thoughts that constantly arise during the meditation are things I know I need to focus on in my life. meditating helps me set a clear path and intention for my day. it also has taught me patience and stillness, and how to accept the moment for what it is.

2. lifting weights

   • or any exercise, really. personally weightlifting is my number one stress outlet and I can not remember a time I have left the weight room without a huge smile on my face. we all know how incredibly beneficial exercise is. it relieves feelings of anxiety and depression, improves health, improves sleep and just overall makes you happy. so get up, get moving, get sweating, release those endorphins.

3. sunshine

   • sunshine promotes vitamin d synthesis in the skin. vitamin d helps to enhance the immune system among other benefits. being out in the sunshine also makes me feel genuinely happier. make it a goal to sit in the sunshine for at least 10 minutes each day.

4. a good cup of coffee

   • ahhhhh, coffee. one of my self proclaimed vices. I typically have a cup in the morning to wake me up, and a cup in the afternoon for a little pick me up. I love the taste of coffee and it is something I look forward to enjoying every day.

     while too much caffeine can be a bad thing, caffeine also has benefits such as enhanced performance during exercise, supplying antioxidants, and boosting memory.

5. the sea

   • 1 + 3 + 5 = a combo made in heaven. seriously, go pick a spot by the sea to meditate on a sunny day and tell me that didn’t make you feel incredible.

6. cooking a nutritious meal

   • cooking, eating and nutrition are all things that I enjoy. and the greatest part about this is that they can all be combined. I am not huge on going out to eat, or grabbing fast food. I prefer to create my meals myself from whole foods. meals prepared at home tend to have a higher nutrient profile and are less caloric than those enjoyed in restaurants or at fast food joints,

7. laughter

   • laugh. everyday. at yourself, at some post on twitter, at some silly lyrics of the song you just heard. just laugh.

     I laugh at myself a lot. when I do something silly, say something that didn’t really make sense, or hit a note too high when singing in the shower, laughing is a super easy way to boost your mood and ensures that you aren’t taking life, or yourself, too seriously.