How to enhance the stress taking capacity of your brain in this post pandemic era

Towards the last phase of my teaching this term I could see there was a sense of sinking among my students. A similar pattern I could see in my kids, one in class ten and another in five. Tried to delve into the reasons of this behavioural pattern. Was intrigued as to what can be the possible reasons and more importantly the solutions. Causes I could gauge were confinement due to pandemic driven lockdown and a sense of fear of the uncertain risk of contracting the Chinese virus. Another reason could be an overall gloom due to the economic depression as well as negativity created by the mass media as well as whatsapp messages.

Finally, I could lay my hands on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius the Roman Emperor. This is a masterpiece. I delved more and found that the specific part of the brain which deals with worries and stresses has not evolved in the last couple of thousand years but the stress in environment has increased manifold. More importantly our will power gets depreciated once we worry and get stressed. Thus, need of the hour is to develop and enhance our stress taking ability. Technically speaking developing the prefrontal cortex. 

Some of the lessons (although very generic which I could read and contemplate) are:

1. Create a Positive Future story. Maintain the Optimism. Spend some time in solitude. Dive into the positive memory lanes. It recharges your brain.
2. Follow a strict Sleep Routine. Adequate sleep is a wonderful brain nourisher.
3. Avoid getting into gossip and stop looking at others reactions. It drains the prefrontal cortex. Any gossip leads to another and finally strains relationships. Although it has the kick but a lasting negativity.
4. Movement throughout the day is necessay. Same has been mentioned in another masterpiece book Ikigai. Consistent movement is more beneficial then one time intensive exercise followed by a sedentary day.
5. Always be in gratitude. It really helps. Keep counting your gratitude. Keep thanking those who have played a supportive role in your life.
6. Engage into miscelleneous activities which require focus and practice. Develop such hobbies. It really fires up the neurons. Sudoku, Gardening, Music, Cooking, Dancing are the few among many.
7. Offer and recieve physical contact. Not advisable in public now. But, then possible with your pet and definitely with your family members. It has a great soothing impact.
8. Forgive and Forget. I am taking this leaf out of a famous ritual in Jain religion called Paryushan. This involves forgiving all and also ask for forgivenes in a meditative mode. Its a wonderful healer and helps you move ahead in your life.
9. Get into some social service. It is very fulfilling to note that there are millions who are not able to even get one square meal a day. Millions who want but cannot afford education. Millions who without any fault are killed on the altars of the ego of their political leaders.
10. Read Children's books/magazines. I did this exercise initially with Principals of some reputed schools in one of my corporate training programmes. Got wonderful results (initially got a lot of criticism). Then applied it to my Post graduate students. Got equally good results. The best part is that it transports you back to your childhood. Yes you should be ready to. Try applying logic and you are back to square one.
11. Reduce exposure to audio visual media as well as electronic gadgets. Return to reading from books and writing by hand. It stimulates the mind and develops your focus. More importantly it reduces the scope for distraction. Too many distractions and interruptions disturbs our equilibrium, reduces productivity and results in stress as well as frustration.

So friends do let me know if you get some benefits by adopting these steps. Yes you are most welcome to add you suggestions too.