Being Kind to Ourselves in our Daily Routines

It has been almost a year since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in Ontario, and many of us are losing energy while our stress is increasing. Perhaps you feel as though you are tired of your routine, are feeling anxious when you have little to do, or are just bored. Focusing our attention on things that we can control and trying to spend less time on matters beyond our reach of influence, can be an effective step toward improving our well-being.

How can we practice this in our lives during a pandemic? Here are some suggestions of activities that we have found to be helpful additions to our daily routines during the pandemic!

To Do Lists

To-do lists can help us gain a sense of control. Being able to check something off a to-do list can bring a sense of accomplishment. It can also help organize our tasks in a way that makes them feel more manageable.

Bullet Journals

Have you heard of a bullet journal? Journaling can sound like a daunting task, but bullet journals can be a creative space for you to add things like to-do lists, your goals for the week, the month, or even just keeping track of your habits!

Gratitude Log

Writing down two or three things that we are grateful for each day or each week can help remind ourselves that even in the toughest times, there are things in our day that may bring us joy. Focusing our attention for even 30 seconds on a positive thought can activate areas of our brain associated with resilience. From enjoying a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, going for a walk, or spending time with our loved ones, the things we are grateful for, no matter how small, can add up quickly and it is nice to take the time to notice them!

The 5 Senses Exercise

This is something you can do on your next walk, before bed, or even simply just while brushing your teeth. This involves taking a moment to notice things in our present environment. Look around your environment and mentally note 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. You can cycle through this mental exercise until you notice a sensation of being more grounded in the present moment.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is great for our mental and physical wellbeing. It helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and improves cognition. Try adding even 20 minutes of exercise to your day. Get creative with the current restrictions; perhaps a short online Yoga or Pilates session   Or even split your exercise up into intervals throughout your day like a 10 minute walk before and after work. Even 20 minutes can make a difference!

Reading

Reading is a wonderful way that we can temporarily get lost in another world. Reading a book takes more cognitive attention than television, and it is a great way to take a break from screens! Try even reading before bed to help calm your thoughts about the day and get fully immersed into a story instead.

Book Club 

If you are interested in reading, you may have other people in your life who are interested too! Creating a book club is a great way to help encourage you to read, but also to have a dedicated time to meeting virtual with friends and family. You can all select a book together, schedule an approximate finish date, and meet virtually to discuss!

Commuting

Did you have to commute into work or school but are now working from home? A commute can be a time where we can reflect on our day or plan for the next day and disconnect from our electronics. Try replacing the commute with something new in your routine. Perhaps this may be a walk or going for a drive. It can help you collect your thoughts about the day ahead!

Working From Home

Are you having trouble creating boundaries between work or school and your home life? If you have an office, try closing the door to your office while you are not working. If you have a work computer or other work-related things, try placing them somewhere out of sight so you won't be tempted to turn to them in your off hours.