Pandemic Habits - What's for keeps !

The one topic that’s been on our minds these days is the pandemic, unfortunately it has impacted all of us in some way or another leading to so much of negativity and sadness around. However, evidence suggests that one way to keep the virus away is to divert attention from it and focus on being responsible and enhance one’s wellbeing, with so much happening its not easy, however maybe worth considering.

Any crisis creates opportunity for change; either due to the situation, changing priorities or lack of resources. Doing away with old habits, creates room to embrace new routines, reinforce existing good practices and align with your deeper purpose and being.

On a positive front Covid19 has offered us a chance to reflect on our physical, mental and emotional well being which had taken a back seat owing to a disturbed work life balance.

Sharing a few personal practices that I have found immensely useful and have helped me and my clients maintain sanity and focus during turbulent times.

• Creative Writing – Each of us has a unique way to release our emotions, what’s worked 9 out of 10 times for me is creative writing /poetry. My pen is my most compelling companion, and the poet in me gets awakened whenever I am exhilarated or in a sombre situation. The words just flow effortlessly to elicit the emotion and deep meaning which apart from being intensely cathartic helps me connect and become aware of my emotional state.

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words”- Robert Frost

• Singing and Music – music has a powerful capacity to evoke strong emotional experiences like chills or thrills. Sometime back while facilitating a session on the interconnectedness of music and emotions someone asked me, “When we are sad and low why do we listen to melancholy music, won’t it be better to listen to uplifting music instead?” Actually, this is true for most of us, I’ve noticed this myself when I feel low, I sing or listen to the most somber music on my playlist and after the emotional trigger is calmed down, unconsciously I am back to my normal state. It’s interesting to note that the lyrics and notes seem so apt and I often wonder if it was specially composed for me.

On the contrary, listening to peppy music instantly gets your feet tapping and elevates your mood by releasing the happy hormones. All of us can distinctly connect, internalize and visualize the associated feeling, helping us to relax and calm down and rationally look at the situation.

“Music touches us emotionally, where alone words can’t” – Johnny Depp

• Relaxed Conversations – Talk to a friend or family member or a child, whom you have not spoken to in a while and is in no way connected or aware of your current situation. Engaging in relaxed dialogue without consciously focusing on the problem, temporarily distracts your focus from the problem and shifts attention to something completely different and refreshes our thinking. In fact, this allows time to process the situation, change the narrative and explore the perspective of others with a conscious an empathetic mindset.

“Conversations with the right people are priceless” - Anonymous

• Talk to your Mentor /Coach – “A Coach needs a Coach too’’. I am fortunate to have a wonderful network of mentors and peer coaches. The interesting thing is that I have clearly identified whom I need to approach for personal or professional advice. Although most coaches are trained to hold space for various conversations, there is a niche / natural flair that a coach demonstrates based on life experiences and their individual personality, and if you can get that fitment right it truly makes the interaction far more enriching and rewarding.
• Eat Right & Light- Meditate - Walk ( LME ) – Ever since the pandemic struck, I have been addicted to LME except on a few cheat days. I got hooked to Intermittent fasting almost a year ago which complemented my earlier routine of yoga, meditation and walking. This medley of focusing on self-care has been the best gift that I have given to myself. Following a holistic lifestyle has helped me live in synchrony with my body, mind and soul and become more centered with my being.

“Take care of your body, that’s the only place where you live” -Jim Rhon 

• Gardening – ‘’Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years’’ This is one of the most therapeutic hobbies that I have nurtured for over 15 years now. I spend almost over an hour every day and often lose sense of time while nurturing my green space. It is deeply satisfying as you get a chance to feel and connect with the earth associated with a deep sense of relaxation and achievement when you see your efforts bearing fruit.

‘’Healthy habits are learned in the same way as unhealthy habits’’ – Wayne Dyer

I am curious to know what are some of the interesting habits you have embraced during the pandemic ?