“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
~Mother Teresa
It is no secret that most of us are going through some difficult situations in this unprecedented time in our lives. With the many changes we have endured since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have had to adapt in a short period of time. There are more changes that may still be on the way and much of life as we knew it won’t ever be the same. If you are finding it hard to cope with these sudden changes, you are definitely not alone. As we are entering into six months of what many are calling the new normal, feelings of depression, confusion, anxiety and anger may begin to surface due to seclusion, fear and uncertainty.
Mental health is a priority at The Mindful Movement and we hope to provide resources for the community with these articles, our meditations, and podcasts. In today’s article, we have compiled a list of tips on staying mindful that you can use during this unique period in our history to stay positive, develop gratitude, and remind yourself that better times are coming.
Keep Your Body Active
It can be tricky to keep your body active when you’re not able to leave your home on a regular basis. If you’re able to get outside for a walk, bike ride, or other exercise you enjoy, we highly recommend doing so. If not, there are still other ways to stay active while remaining inside. In fact, the internet can serve as your own personal library of fitness and workout guides. The Mindful Movement has a library of Yoga, Pilates, and general movement videos to help keep you active.
Additionally, if you prefer live classes to help hold you accountable for your exercise, our Sister Company, Coreworks, has an online studio accessible right from your own home. Check out our virtual studio here: https://coreworksfitness.com/pages/virtual-schedule Class times are in the eastern time zone. $10 per drop-in or $75 for 30-day unlimited virtual membership. Monday's at 4:30 pm is FREE every week.
Staying active is a great way to promote a strong immune system and relieve anxiety and stress. Even if you can only squeeze in a 15-minute workout per day, you can still reap these benefits. However, now more than ever, you’ll want to be sure you keep a close watch on the intensity of your workouts and try to avoid any unpleasant symptoms that may come from overexertion.
Eat Mindfully
Eating mindfully while sheltering in place and when stress levels are high is a great way to bolster your health and well being. Focus on foods that make your body feel energized and healthy and incorporate them into your diet. If you are prone to stress eating, pausing before deciding what to eat and drinking water between bites are effective ways to stay mindful. However, if you find that eating your favorite foods is calming and enjoyable, that’s perfectly okay as well, just remember to keep in mind how you and your body are feeling!
Check out Les’ Mindful tip on the topic.
Make Time for Yourself
Even though many of us are spending most of our time in our homes, it can still be tricky to make time for unwinding. Having some planned time for yourself to relax or meditate can be helpful in coping with the ever-changing situation outside of your home. Even activities as simple as catching up on your favorite podcast or reading can be a great way to brighten your day.
To dig deeper into your values and what is important to you, check out our 5 week course—Living Fulfilled. Here you will develop long lasting self-care habits that will allow you to be sure you are making time for yourself.
Remind Yourself of Your Intrinsic Motivations for Staying Mindful
What is your motivation for practicing mindfulness during meditation and throughout your day to day life? If you don’t know why you are practicing and what the benefits are, it will be difficult to make the commitment solely because you think you “should” practice mindfulness. Our will power is finite, yet our intrinsic motivation is infinite and will support your goal of staying mindful.
Use Mindfulness Reminders
Choose a few routine activities as reminders to check in with yourself and be in the present. Some examples might include when you take your first sip of coffee or tea, when you are going up or down stairs, when you walk through a doorway, or even when you get a notification on your phone. Perhaps develop a routine of pausing, taking a deep, intentional breath, and checking in with yourself when you come to one of your mindfulness reminders.
Additionally, here is a video with some other ideas about how to bring mindfulness into your daily life.
Start (or Continue) Practicing Meditation
With the challenges of life now and anxieties on high for a lot of people, now is a great time to start developing a regular habit of meditation. Whether you are brand new to meditation, or you are looking to build a more consistent practice, now is a great time to do so. Practicing meditation can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety that can start to creep in during stressful times, as well as improve your concentration, which can be helpful when re-framing or redirecting negative thoughts. Many notice these benefits after just a few sessions. And the benefits are compounding the more you practice.
If you’ve never meditated before, you may begin to notice a difference in your mindset and attitude with just five minute daily sessions. Keep in mind that you don’t need to be perfect at meditating and there is no right or wrong way to meditate- just the effort to calm your mind for a few minutes a day can be beneficial. Whether you’re new to the world of meditation or a seasoned expert, we have free resources you can use to enhance your practice! Here is a great guided mindfulness meditation that is centered around finding peace during challenging times.
Connect with an Online Community
Sometimes there is no substitute for human connection! If you’re feeling isolated, interacting with an online community is a great way to feel connected to others without leaving your house. Remember, you are not alone! If ever you feel like you could use that extra push, our Instagram is always a great place to find some extra motivation or interact with a positive minded community. The Mindful Movement Facebook group is a supportive community. Join the conversations there if you haven’t already.
Staying Mindful with The Mindful Movement
The Mindful Movement is an oasis where you can come to tap into inner peace, a positive mindset and your own ability for healing.
Additional Resources:
If you are looking to dive into the world of meditation in 2020, a great starting point is our 4-Day Meditation Journey. This free program is a great resource for beginners and those looking to step back into the practice of meditation.
The Mindful Movement’s 5-week online course, Living Fulfilled is another great opportunity. During the course, you will explore how to find your purpose, love yourself, and connect with your authentic self.
To get to the root of a specific issue you may be dealing with, schedule a hypnotherapy session with me. Here is more information about the method I practice called Rapid Transformational Therapy.
Additionally, here are a few other practices to help you get started or develop a more consistent routine:
Ultimately, Les and I at the Mindful Movement really want to offer resources and support possible to help you. Let us know how we can help. Please feel to leave a comment with any other suggestions, comments, or questions for the community!
With love and gratitude,
Sara and Les
The Mindful Movement
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