A Wellness Edition

So, how are you?

how lockdowns feel like

I found that picture a while ago and nothing quite captured how it feels like to be in quarantine like that. It’s been a struggle keeping track of the days, especially if your routine has just returned from its hibernation. Grateful for the slow days, even though I'm still learning how to do it.

Rest is essential. Coming to terms with that is sometimes hard because it’s one of those things you know but don’t always acknowledge.

The cure to this had to have something to do with wellness; so, I’m bringing you a list of things I tried that made this metaphorical island seem more like a sanctuary and less like confinement (hope this helps!):

• Breathing

  I had moved around a lot earlier this month, constantly evading rest. When I finally approached it, I found this Apple Music playlist of lyric-less sounds that transcends you to a special la la land called peace. I saw an interview where someone recommended the technique of just breathing and how it helps with overcoming stress and mental uplifting. Breathing with these lyric-less sounds with the purpose of calming down and feeling your lungs push in and out is a technique that I personally (100%) recommend. There’s a YouTube playlist on similar sounds you can breathe to. The technique works with or without music, it depends on what works for you.

• What you watch and listen to (advice from a professional)

  You’re probably not surprised to know that some of the stuff we watch and listen to contributes to anxiety. Adrenaline is fun, we’re all for that; however, there are times when we probably shouldn’t be about the rush and embrace the quiet, less chaotic tunes. There are some stuff that we watch/listen to that evoke all sorts of emotions and remind us of past things that aligns itself with the genre(s) of the film/music. Sometimes less intense or light entertainment is essential.

• The whole social media thing

  So, social media is not my favorite sport, and everyday I’m more and more relieved that that’s the case. I can write a whole article on this because I think it’s so pivotal that we know the immense role social media plays in influencing our lives and societies. But to the point: starting your day with social media is not recommendable. Falling asleep with social media is also not recommendable. We’ve all been at that point where it was basically a routine, and it almost never turns out well. There are advantages to it - with the whole connecting and showing your art etc., but there’s also the noise it brings i.e, whatever you miss on the news, you just might see it on social media, plus the whole unreal-real life stereotypes they have etc.

• …and other music

  This category falls into the natural and unnatural sounds of the Earth like going outside and hearing birds chirping and/or car noises. Or merely disconnecting and plugging in your earphones to listen to light music, an audiobook or your favorite podcast.

Now go on and have a nice day :)