How are you doing amidst the Coronavirus outbreak?
I don’t know where you are at in your social distancing journey, but I’m on day 5 and I’m starting to go a littttttle crazy. It sounds dramatic, and I know it is dramatic, but I’m not used to being home so much.
You might be thinking, don’t you work from home? Aren’t you used to being alone?
The answer is yes and no. While I work from home, I spend most of my afternoons working at various cafes in the DC area. The reason being that while I like working by myself, I do not like being fully alone. Cafes allow me to be by myself, talk to minimal people (s/o my favorite baristas), all while being surrounded by people.
I am most productive when I have my AirPods plugged in, espresso in my right hand, and EDM to drown out the noise around me. But the lull of the people talking in the background is my favorite. I like being in busy areas but in my own bubble. It might sound strange to you, but it’s when I’m most productive.
Because of the rapid spread and virality of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked US citizens to adhere to a few recommendations to mitigate the transmission and spread of COVID-19. They’ve asked that we practice social distancing, and after a weekend of many ignoring it (shoutout to the idiots out celebrating Saint Patricks day and captioning photos ‘social distancing lol’) many local governments have now placed limits on public gatherings too.
That said, these next couple of weeks should be interesting. I am in no way complaining, but simply voicing my thoughts. That while I am grateful to be healthy, to have lots of food, and to have my boyfriend working next to me, it will be an adjustment from my daily life and probably from my typical productivity.
Which brings me to my first point today.
✧ have grace with yourself. ✧
If you’re new to working from home, or if you’re like me and your day-to-day is slightly off-kilter, remember to take a deep breath and leave room for grace when you’re feeling unproductive, or frustrated at your work. Even if you have not been directly impacted by the Coronavirus in one way or another, you’re starting to feel the ramifications at this point.
If you’re an introvert, the social distancing concept is your bread and butter. You’ve probably retweeted a tweet that reads: “I’ve been preparing my whole life for this,” and joked with your friends about how you’re in your element. But if you’re an extrovert, you are probably experiencing a new wave of emotions.
Some tips for work from home newbies ➝
By now, most companies have employees working from home because of the coronavirus. If your company has you a home this week, or your college moved you to online for the rest of the semester, you might be wondering how the heck you can stay on track when you are with your significant other, a TV, and a kitchen.
As someone who has worked from home for three years, and took most of my college classes online, I have quite the practice in working remotely and staying productive.
📲 Place your phone out of arms distance. I tend to leave my phone in my bedroom if I’m working from home, and let myself check it every 45 minutes or so. If I’m in a cafe I have enough self-control not to touch it, but if you need more practice in that, place it in your bag while you work.
💃 Change out of your PJs. I don’t think you have to put on “real clothing” to be productive like many people say, but at least get out of your pajamas. I am most productive when I am comfy, so most days that looks like athleisure. But do what works for you.
✨ Figure out what mood works for you. For me, this is cozy ( think candles, music, etc🕯️), but ranges for everyone. Again, just find what works for you.
🍽️ Eat lunch mindfully. AKA make sure to take a break while eating. This sounds weird but there are many benefits to it! Here is a great article on mindful eating.
🚶♀️Take a few walks outside (emphasis on outside) during the day.
🤓 If your work permits, work when it’s best for you. I’m most productive from 7am-1pm and definitely take advantage of this. I usually time block my main workload for those hours, workout from 1-2pm, make lunch afterwards, and simultaneously post to Instagram and engage for a half hour. Then I take a walk, or a break of sorts, then get back to work for a few more hours around 4pm.
💪Move! Since I start early, I take a break mid-day and move. it’s a good time to refocus & re-center. Some days this looks like a 45 spin class, other days it looks like a HIIT workout at home.
Things you can do while in quarantine
Aside from working at home, it’s time for you to find some hobbies. One thing you will quickly realize about working from home is that the work never really leaves you.
You have to make space to not work, and for me, this looks like a multitude of small hobbies.
There is nothing wrong with watching TV here and there but maybe think about trying something new this week instead of just vegging out in front of the TV. Here are a few suggestions:
- Try something new!
- Learn to enjoy doing nothing.
- Read the books you’ve been meaning to read.
- Get outside! Go for a walk, a hike, or a bike ride. Just make sure to sanitize the bike first 😉
- Go low-tech. Play a board game, do a puzzle, play some cards.
- Keep up with family and friends via Facetime.
- Experiment on homemade cocktails.
- Try an at-home workout.
- Keep up and protect your mental health.
- Try out a new recipe that you normally wouldn’t. I’m planning on baking a cake this week. If you need suggestions, visit my blog page for recipes.
- Make one of my mock-Starbucks lattes. You can find them on my Instagram page, or under the story highlight “coffee recipes.”
Protecting your physical health amidst the Coronavirus outbreak »
While you can’t protect yourself from contracting Coronavirus with supplements, whole foods, and vitamins, these items can help boost your immune system in case you do contract the virus. As someone who is considered “health-compromised” by the CDC, I’m doing everything I can to not contract the virus, but also pump up my immune system just in case I do.
Here are some gut-healthy and immune boosting foods:
- Veggies
- Fresh fruit
- Ginger
- Bone broth
- Dried fruit
- Fermented foods
- Probiotic rich yogurt
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
Supplements and vitamins:
VITAMIN D
I talk about the importance of Vitamin D on my Instagram quite frequently. As someone who suffers from low Vitamin D levels, this is something I have to supplement, even if I’m spending hours in the sun each day. What many people don’t know is Vitamin D is actually a hormone that is produced by the kidneys which helps to control blood calcium concentration as well as support the immune system. Not only is it important in keeping your immune system protected, but it also helps with gut health and hormone health.
That said, this vitamin is absolutely crucial in fighting off infectious diseases. There is not much info coming from doctors or WHO at this point in time on which vitamins and minerals are important in fighting COVID-19 but with the sole fact that it is an infectious disease, this is a must.
Between the years of 1948 and 2009, numerous trials were completed to see the efficacy of Vitamin D in fighting diseases. This compilation of studies details just how beneficial the Vitamin is, and how consistent this is seen in research trials. A study from 2009 detailed that people with low levels of vitamin D are more prone to catching the flu or common cold. Only one can assume this rings true for COVID-19. I don’t think you have to be a scientist to assume this, and I also think its ridiculous that the topic of nutritional health has been ignored not only by WHO (expected) but US leaders like Fauci.
ZINC
“This is necessary for a healthy immune system,” says Melissa Snover, founder and CEO of Nourished. “A lack of zinc can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness. This essential nutrient helps maintain the body’s ability to make new cells and enzymes, process carbohydrate, fat and protein in food and also increases the speed of healing muscles and wounds.”
ELDERBERRY
According to a Metro article, “An Israeli study, looking at viruses and the efficacy of elderberry syrup, showed that those who took a daily dose recovered far more quickly than the control group – 20% were better within 24 hours, 70% in 48 hours, and 90% had recovered completely in three days.’”
VITAMIN C
“Vitamin C is essential to boost the immune system,” Yalda T Alaoui, founder of Eat Burn Sleep told Metro. “Focus on whole foods as juicing makes for a huge nutrient loss. Raw apples, carrots, crudités are packed with vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. In a supplement form, liposomal vitamin C is more effective as it is slow delivery.”
VITAMIN K
Vitamin K works as an anti-inflmmatory supplement. Recently I started reading a research book titled “Vitamin K2 – Vital for Health and Wellbeing” that includes a variety of powerful studies and research elements. In one chapter, the authors point out that vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2s (menaquinones) are both anti-inflammatory and are of interest due to their very low toxicity.
I personally started taking Vitamin K a few months ago and have seen an increase in immune reactions.
You can also find some of my favorite immune boosting supplements in this older blog post “7 Essential Items To Fast-Forward Through A Cold.”
Protecting your mental health amidst Coronavirus isolation »
First, how we think about the quarantine is super important. How we describe the situation will set the mood and tone emotionally for how we feel about it for the next few weeks. Try not to think about it in terms of being “forced” to stay home because that will just elicit anxiety, apathy, and boredem.
Instead, focus on the things we can do amidst the coronavirus outbreak! Talkspace gave three great tips in practicing this that I will list below:
- Accentuate the positives
Focus on what you are able to do during this time. You’re finally home — organize, read, rest, cook, and play. Take advantage of the time this provides. - Don’t overload on news
Identify where you get your news and check in once or twice a day. Staying constantly connected to the unfolding news won’t be helpful — remember that it doesn’t change anything — and make sure your news sources are reliable. We recommend the CDC and WHO. - It won’t last forever
Remember, this contagion will end. New stories, open-ended developments, and the unknown are anxiety provoking for sure, but be mindful that this outbreak won’t last forever.
Some studios, brands, and people that are offering free online classes ➝
@corepoweryoga — Free online yoga classes.
@lululemon — digital workouts, mediations, and mindfulness practices.
@toneitup — free membership for a month.
@downdogapp — this yoga app is free until April 1.
@fitbod — they have made their in-app body-weight workouts free.
@snapfitness — this gym partnered with fitnessOnDemand to offer FREE 90-day access to a special library of virtual workouts you can do at home.
@openfit — everything from Barre classes to Yoga to HIIT.
@onepelaton — they are offering 90 days free!
@barre3 — free online trial for 15 days.
@meslissawoodhealth — some of her videos are always accessible via youtube.
@rachaelsgoodeats — has a handful of awesome HIIT videos on her Instagram.
I hope you guys are staying physically healthy and mentally healthy during this weird timeline. If you’re staying away from cafes, make sure to follow along on Instagram if you want some yummy (and healthy) at home coffee recipes.
Stay safe during this Coronavirus outbreak. xx Linds
BONUS: My church, Passion City DC, just launched a “30 Days in Thessalonians” online Bible Study led by our pastor Ben Stuart. I encourage you to check it out here you if you are looking for some encouragement. 🙂
Comments are closed.