Pandemic: A hard time but I learned a lot

At this point in time, everyone knows about Coronavirus, or COVID-19, as it is called. And, it is undeniable that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has upended normal life. People have been forced to change their daily routines since the government mandated COVID appropriate behaviors, and they are forming new habits as well as breaking old ones.

Senior citizens are conditioned to keep a safe distance from other people. They (consciously or unconsciously) consider everyone else as a potential source of a terrible disease. We're a bit apprehensive about venturing out to the store. Due to the emergence of the new variant, once again we are advised to stay at home, wear masks in public places, and to stay at least six feet away from others to protect ourselves and the community.

In India, we are approaching the two-year mark of the pandemic. For retired people like me, staying at home was paramount. My experience over the past months has not been as difficult as I'd thought. Each day passes quickly, reinforcing my belief that time is an illusion. Especially for the elderly, the pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, but some of them are beneficial to us.

I, like everyone else, was worried and frustrated about how the pandemic will affect me in 2020. We all had to adapt to so many changes in life in 2021 for the sake of our safety. As I gradually adapt to the new normal under pandemic, I am becoming more comfortable with it. Make little adjustments at home to refocus on the social rhythm of my life.

I have been trying to create a day plan to synchronize with social rhythms, among other things, to renew my focus on:

(1) Wake up at around dawn (2) Do breathing exercise/ gentle stretch (3)?Drink a glass of water/ black tea (4)??Access inspiring people through social media (5)?Review journal paper/ read the latest on my subject (6) Scroll down images digital gallery, academic posts and headlines (7)??Dinner at a reasonable time before 9.00 PM

I have enough time to do something engaging, whether we are talking about writing this piece, learning how to cook a fabulous dish, meditating to discover the secret of life, rereading favorite books, surfing commercial sites for cost-effective everyday necessities, and so on.

I am making little changes to renew my focus on breathing exercises that quiet the mind and facilitate meditation. It is rewarding because it lifts the weight of uncertainty from the impending danger from COVID's new variant and can change your whole day.

The 4-7-8 breathing pattern is one of the simplest breathing techniques developed by Dr. Andrew Weil.?The process is to silently breathe in through your nose while counting to four, hold your breath for a count of seven, then exhale through your mouth while whooshing for a count of eight. I practice this breathing pattern twice daily and find that it helps me cope with my thinking in a more relaxed manner.?On a scientific note, it activates our parasympathetic nervous system, and the creator describes it as a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system.

Rather than relying on anything else (i.e. counts), we can simply breathe into our nose and open our mouth slightly making a circle as we exhale slowly.

I spend a considerable amount of time choosing and ordering essentials online every day. During this pandemic, it is not wise to go out to buy groceries, vegetables, and especially non vegetarian foods, it is extremely inconvenient, too. Initially, I began ordering daily essentials from well-known online delivery platforms via their mobile apps and they were delivered to my doorstep in the morning.?Getting items on doorsteps used to be easy and convenient except for a short while during the onset of the second wave when slots for items were somewhat difficult to reserve. Currently, I buy everything from a to z online and I've used more than 25 online market places so far. Applying discount coupons, during offers, and utilizing digital payments allow me to save sometimes.

Except in rare occasions, I have not used cash for the past year thanks to my newfound digital savvy. Digital tools have become more relevant to us. All this was new to me, but I found that it was more convenient than I expected

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks”. – John Muir. At our complex there are large open areas with walking paths, lush green surroundings, and an open gym for seniors, as well as a cafeteria.?It's the perfect place to slow down and take in the sights while walking in our own backyard. After the COVID situation improved, my newly made friends and I would walk more in the mornings, and once restrictions were relaxed, I began to visit places where it would be safe, such as the cafeteria and the club house. With a mask on, we faced an unexpected challenge: no one could see our friend's smile or even facial expression. Exercise, like walking with or without companion, releases a mood-boosting chemical called serotonin. When you exercise or stretch your body, you also release chemical called endorphins-a powerful analgesic that helps relieve pain.

The quality of your life depends on your mindset and attitude. We should learn to appreciate small things. Just a positive thought early in the day can change the entire course of the day.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you”. – From the book “IKIGAI”

There is nothing special about a new year. It goes on naturally. We hope that 'there will always be light after darkness' in 2022.