Staying Calm During a Shift in Lifestyle

Ways to Maintain Brain Health and a Positive Mindset

The world, as we know it, is changing — slowly or rather too quickly, whether we accept or stay in denial. Perhaps it is temporary. Or maybe a long term change of things. No one knows.

All we know is that we are witnessing a pandemic — COVID-19, that is enforcing our globe to pause, and a strange apprehension in the air is unnerving. People — who can — are adapting to working from home, staying indoors, obeying the instructions to keep away from contagion.

Kids are staying home and learning to learn an online education system. I think it’s a bit unsettling for their actively growing little brains.

Each and every one of us is making that effort to adapt to the shift in lifestyle. Maybe not at the extent at which it is expected and requested by authorities, but we are trying. Some of us are trying more so than the others. And while we are at it, it is so very easy to get anxious and overwhelmed, for we are only human, mere mortals. We are not used to captivity or house arrest unless, of course, it is enforced (Infect none of God’s created living creatures are meant for captivity.).

We, humans, are artists, explorers, travelers, creators, and last but not the least — souls exploring the human experiences. Last part of that line, I read somewhere in a good book that I can’t recall now. But I guess you get the point.

So the question is — what can we do to keep calm while we are attempting to adapt to this new way of life?

Is there a way to preserve our creativity, productivity, and wit while practicing social distancing and staying within the premises of our homes? There has to be a way to keep our sanity in check and spirits uplifted.

In my opinion, there is not just one but many ways. As we explore and exercise different ways to keep calm, it would require intentional, focused, and consistent effort.

We will have to make an intentional and focused effort to keep our brains active, apt, creative, positive, calm, and composed as we witness the changing world around us.

I am not going to advise whether you should do what I am about to suggest what works for me. No. I believe that we are all talented and unique individuals with our gift and skills. And not everything works for everyone. And not everyone can do everything.

However, there are a few small activities that have been scientifically studied and researched that could help us, could help our human bodies as well as our mysterious minds. And then there are things which may not have been scientifically researched but have been experienced by masses and passed down through generations.

Here is a list of activities we can weave in our newfound lifestyle to keep up with the change.

1 — Meditation — Guided Meditation, Quiet Contemplation, Reflection

2 — Exercise — Cardio, Yoga, Weight Training

3 — Music and Dance — Classical, Country, Pop, Hard Rock

4 — Read — Good Books and Good Articles

5 — Do what you like while staying indoors — Bake, Cook, Sing

Let’s take a magnifying look.

Meditation

If you have never tried meditating, it’s time now, for you have got some time and space that you always wished for. We can’t give ourselves the very famous excuse that — oh, I don’t have time, and I am hardly home.

Best way to meditate

Breathing exercises, spending time in solitude, and reflecting on your day are some of the few simple ways of meditation.

Some apps and videos could help beginners to get started with a guided meditation. Shine, Headspace, and of course, audibles are just a few of many. And no, I don’t receive a hefty commission on suggesting any of them.

Best time to meditate

Early in the morning, when it’s quiet and most of the family members are asleep is supposed to be the best time for meditation. That is when you can easily bypass distractions such as kids running around or adults scurrying for morning coffee or tea — especially if you meditate inside the home. If you plan to meditate outside (When the time is right), I would still suggest you do it early, for there is beauty, and there is grace in the early morning picture that nature paints for the eyes to relish.

If not twice in a day, then at least once, one must meditate.

Exercise

Many have already spoken, written, and taught about this topic that it doesn’t require any more emphasis. We all know some vital benefits of exercise, such as it improves digestive health, helps control body weight, reduces the risk associated with heart disease, etc.

There is one lesser-known fact about exercise that it doesn’t only help the body, but also it helps the brain.

Studies suggest that exercise can aid the production of neurotransmitters such as Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphin, and Oxytocin. These neurotransmitters play an important role in balancing the central nervous system. They manage mood change, sleep cycles, learning, attention, communication, thinking, and decision making. If you really want to dig deep into it, one interesting book– Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey, should be the next in your reading list.

Don’t worry if you don’t have those high-end fancy cardio equipment or dumbbells or barbells. You don’t need those for Squats, Burpees, Lunges, Stretching, Yoga poses, and Asanas. There are hundreds of apps and thousands of videos available, most of them for free, for you to keep your body moving, mind active, and keep your complete health in check.

Music and Dance

If your day didn’t turn out the way you planned, you go home, make yourself a cup of tea and tune in those old Bollywood songs from the sixties. No?

Maybe, that’s just me.

But I know that we have our favorites — Classical music, Pop songs, Country music or Hard rock. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink and spend some time listening to some music. Infect, dance along. Dance alone, dance with your partner, or roommate or kids or parents. Dancing on the beat of your favorite music is also an exercise and a stress buster. It would, for sure, help uplift your spirits.

These activities would give you and your family something that you all can enjoy together as a family.

Read

If I said that a good book and coffee are as good as your favorite cocktail — Cosmopolitan or Manhattan for that matter, I wouldn’t be exaggerating. I don’t drink, though. So it might be slightly difficult to go by my opinion on this matter. All the more reasons to give it a try.

I do believe that Books have magical powers to take the reader into an entirely new realm, away from the routine mechanical life, and help the brain to recuperate. Books contain within them a boundless reservoir of knowledge, wisdom, and optimism.

One must read a few good books in a lifetime to tap into a marvelous, mysterious, and magnificent world of books.

Here’s a list of books I think would be a good start.

1 — The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

2 — The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

3 — The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks.

4 — The Little Prince By Antoine de Saint-Exupery

5 — Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Reading before bedtime is also a good habit to install for a peaceful sleep.

Do what you like

Do what you always wished to do if you found some time. Maybe something that you adored as a child — of course, something while staying indoors. Bake, sing, get your hands dirty with your favorite musical instrument, or write an article or write a book. Why not!

If you wanted to try on your kid’s coloring set — art papers, colors, and paintbrush — then this sounds about the right time.

Spend quality time with yourself and with your family.

Let’s spend this time carefully, and let’s be optimistic.

We need to accept one thing that Mother Nature has summoned us to observe our actions, for we have stirred her core by our selfish needs and ignorant actions, and made her angry. She has also made it very clear that she doesn’t see us as creatures divided by boundaries, cultures, and color of our bodies. She indeed treats all her children the same in her joys, sorrows, and anger.

One thing I can say about her is that she would calm down. Eventually, she would. She always does, for our civilization is thousands of years old. Historically we have survived through the worst storms, at times at significant losses, but we have. And we will survive this one, too. Have faith. We need to do our part. Stay indoors, stay safe, and be optimistic.

At last, let’s pray, for there is profound power in prayers. Let’s keep all those souls in our prayers — souls suffered in the past, souls suffering now, and some who unfortunately may have a share of suffering in the future. Let’s also pray for peace and solace on this planet for you, for me and for everyone.

Let’s do our part — stay home, and support those who put their health and safety on the front line for us.

Let’s be one excellent team earth, support each other, and withstand the pandemic together for a better tomorrow.

Staying indoors, working, helping kids to keep up with study, staying active while maintaining mental peace, and positivity is going to be tricky. But if we cleverly entwine music, meditation, indoor exercises, and reading to our newfound lifestyle, then staying calm won't be so difficult.