Now that I just filled you in on the deets from my Covid Feels blog- lets address what I have done and continue to do to stay mentally fit.
Exercise. Anything. Surfing obviously I love. If you are new here I am an avid runner. I express this in grave detail here. I have also found such inner peace in my yoga practice. However, its pretty simple- When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. And thats a fact JAck!
Get OUTSIDE! Seriously. A bike ride, a walk, just put your feet in the sand, dirt, grass. Ground yourself. This therapeutic practice relies on earthing science and grounding physics to explain how electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body. Much like the ocean is healing, so is the dirt. The earth. It supplies us all with life. Now dig into its abundance. Source: healthline.com and me. Even as this blog goes to press - in my state we are on a “lockdown”, but still allowed to walk, run. surf, and do any other ocean activities
I read. I have to admit, thanks to earlier this year when my mom and I did a mini book club (we were the only members lol) I revamped my absolute love for a good book. I'm not a speed reader, and sometimes it takes me longer, but damn it it has done my brain some good. My bestie Liz has said “it can be like a show you watch every week if you want it to be”- I liked that.. And my last book Born a Crime by Trevor Noah was just that- a show I couldn’t stay away from. I laughed, gasped and cried. Currently reading Anthony Bourdain's book- Kitchen Confidential- a good read for my service industry peeps. Also the book that started my love affair that I referenced earlier was Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens.
Digital Detox- Recently I have been using Sundays as my digital detox day. No instagram, Facebook, TikTok, emails, and news. I try to stay away from all screens. Clearly that is a struggle, especially when I am trying to promote my blog and build my brand, and also be on lockdown. But I have found a good commercial break is exactly what I need. I feel refreshed and my mind feels less cluttered. Plus I am more focused on what's happening in front of me. And that's when the real magic happens.
*another thing I found- setting screen time and app limits- a feature on your iphone that alerts you when you’ve reached your limit.. So there is a light at the end of your insta/tiktok/fb/youtube rabbit hole*
Cooking Healthy Meals - Clearly this has helped in my household. DISH ON A MISH is on major Fleek! Both Si and I truly have enjoyed cooking together and for each other. Even when Si isn’t around, I just find solace in preparing a meal for myself. Not to mention there's a reward of eating it at the end. What I will say to zip this up- is if we can’t control anything else in the world- we do control what enters our bodies- our temple we live inside.. Food is a common practice, you really are what you eat, and it feels good to do good for yourself. Also its something we cal all agree on. Or discuss in grave detail- with smiles.
Clean - I will be the first to admit- living in a one bedroom apartment with my bf during these past 6-8 months has been in a word “challenging” to keep our space not cluttered and consistently clean. My obsession is a big counter we have- if it's cluttered I freak out. When the bed isn’t made I feel like a loser. Dishes in the sink make the whole kitchen look like a hot mess. These little things in your life really do make a difference. Creating a routine of keeping up- I know otherwise known as “adulting” keeps you feeling fresh. And your mind at ease. I know what you're thinking- “OFC I do my dishes Tara”- but do you make your bed everyday? Start there, and get back to me.
Monitor Alcohol intake- I backed off of alcohol and I only drink on the weekends. Or if I have a drink during the week I will count that as my “drinking day” and subtract it from the upcoming weekend. Look- I know it does indeed take the “edge off”.. But it clouds your mind. It makes your sleep shitty. If you're anything like me, it's rare to have just one drink. And then you wake up and that workout is that much harder to make. Sometimes I’ll sip a Kombucha in a wine glass as a mocktail. Also at 36 a puffy face just aint a good look. But in all honesty it wasn’t at 22 either. It took me a long time to understand “balance” but it works. And in a world right now where I have to actually double check to see what day it is- I thrive off productivity and clarity. A drink is a reward, a celebration, but not a routine.
Check in on others - Last but not least- check in on the people you love. Send a text to a friend, a family member. Send a song. When something reminds you of someone- tell them. Delivering good vibes to someone else inadvertently makes you feel good too. It feels good to do good. Pay it forward. For God’s sake send a card! Let someone go on a wave when you're in the better spot. Do it all. Expect nothing in return. The universe will take care of you. And you will sleep better.
I know there is so so so much that truly plays into mental health.. In these times is when taking those extra steps makes all the difference. Whatever it is- Self-care Sunday or rewind it on a Wednesday- make time for yourself!!!