Extraordinarily uncertain times and the essential need to maintain health and wellbeing
By Kaye Rabel, PhD.
As we all can reflect so far on 2020, it has been an unprecedented year of uncertainty and unpredictability where life has been turned completely upside down. We as a human species around the globe had to learn a new way to live. We had to learn new ways to work, to go to school, to commute, and even a new way to go out and buy groceries. As a result of COVID-19, many of us have been touched by tragedy. We may have lost friends or family members or know someone who lost friends and family members. We may know someone who lost their job or we ourselves may have lost our job.
In times like these, looking after your health and wellbeing is more important than ever.
There have been an extraordinary number of things to cope with as a result of COVID-19 as well as mandatory quarantines. I lost a family member due to C19 and lost another family member during the quarantine and was not able to attend any of the funeral services. Additionally, I was not able to go to the gym or go dancing or do any of the normal things that I usually do like hanging out with friends and that sort of thing. During the quarantine there were times when I felt very isolated. Understandably during this time, stress levels, anxiety, and depression are at all-time high levels. I had to find ways and positive outlets to remain hopeful that things would get better. So now more than ever, looking after your health and well-being is imperative. We only get one body. We only get one mind. So, it is absolutely essential that we do our best to take care of ourselves.
Some strategies I used during this time to maintain my health and wellbeing
I have embraced home workouts, being in nature, and using video conferencing to help me navigate the challenges of quarantining and limited social interaction.
I found a space in my garage and made it into a dedicated workout area with a yoga mat and some free-weights and resistance bands. As someone who has been an avid gym goer for a number of years, I found myself being limited to only a few exercises with bands and free-weights. In order to shake things up a bit in my home workouts, I turned to YouTube and searched things like “home workouts”, “working out at home”, “exercising using resistance bands” and I found a lot of creative ways to get really great workouts at home. One video even showed how to use a broom and two chairs to do inverted pullups! You may not have the space in your home for a dedicated workout area but there are a variety of simple bodyweight exercises you can do on your living room floor. It just requires a little time and some researching on YouTube.
Each day I take breaks during my workday to go outside and just take a walk and be in nature. I live in a tropical area and find that looking at the birds and the flowers is calming and peaceful for me. Also getting sunshine helps to produce vitamin D which is amazing with helping to elevate your mood. I recognize that others don’t live in a tropical environment and we are getting ready to head into the winter months so I would still recommend getting outside when you can and doing some activities that can help you keep warm in the cold such as skiing or hiking.
I also found video conferencing helpful with feeling connected to others. Human beings are social animals and we need to feel connected. Video chatting or video conferencing with my family and co-workers verses just talking to them on the phone helped me feel more connected to them. Seeing people laugh and smile during conversations really helped to uplift my spirits and how I was feeling.
How can the tools discussed in “Improve Your Health and Wellbeing” help you?
During this time, I found it really helpful to revisit the tools shared in this book and used them to navigate some challenging situations including social isolation and finding a work life balance. As a result of the quarantine and an increased workload, I began to work even more hours. By using the tools in this book, I was able to reflect on my purpose and alignment and I realized I was beginning to develop an unhealthy habit of being a workaholic. By working through the activities, I was able to get back on track to having balance and incorporating leisure activities back into my life. Each of our challenges are unique to us and our individual circumstances.
The tools and activities in this book can help you reflect on your unique challenges and detail specific ways to help you look after your health and wellbeing.
Book Details
Improve Your Health and Wellbeing
Kaye Rabel
October 2020
ISBN: 9781529744804
About the Author
