I wrote this at the start of lockdown and forgot to post it. Rather than assigning it to the bin, I will still post it as it stays relevant for many people and can be adapted to whatever place your are in during quarantine or after.
Here are 7 tips to keep things light and nice when we are all unexpectedly thrown in one place together.
1. Redefine your home space: Give each other space. Be respectful of people’s space in your own home. If you are lucky enough to have space to make an area your own, use that for some peace and quiet. Allocate areas for you to hang out and use for yourself. Create different areas in the home for specific tasks. Reading space, eating space, sleeping space, meditation space, creative space, talking on the phone or zoom space. Keep organised in your space, clean regularly and give everything its place in the home.
2. Set up new house rules and explain why: This is a time when we need to talk about new ways of living and sharing spaces. Talk about setting up some clear and helpful new house rules with your co-buddies. Make sure you clear up in the kitchen if you make something. Decide who is doing what in the house and decide roles and responsibilities.
Get a plan, work it out and make it fair and balanced across the household. Get the kids involved with their share of duties.
3. Get some sleep: Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed at a reasonable hour, no caffeine second half of the day to keep you awake, switch off tech 2 hours before bedtime and read a book to allow the body to reset itself ready for sleep.
4. Improve your nutrition: Keep an eye on what you are eating and drinking and keep it healthy during the day. Don’t overeat. Eat fresh where you can. Avoid too much caffeine, booze or fizzy drinks, that can cause blood sugar spikes. Learn some new recipes and enjoy the time for cooking. Eat well and keep up your vitamin intake. Vitamin C is very useful at this time.
5. Help others : There are many vulnerable people around right now who are finding things very difficult. Reach out to people in your community and family who may need a helping hand. Offer to get food, cook or help them in some way. If you are in an at-risk situation, try to alert someone and let people know. Find some help and share your concerns.
6. Keep in touch with those you love: use this time to call friends, be in touch with family in other places, use technology to be in touch, do new courses, have group chats, follow an online exercise course, mediations and other group activities running for free online now.
7. Avoid arguments and tension: Keep the energy soft and positive in your space as much as you can. This is important to keep the immune system healthy and keep you well. Avoid arguments and give everyone the extra space and slack they need in this stressful time. People are feeling more edgy and anxious so make allowances for this. Be nice to each other, be kind, be extra tolerant. People are experiencing a lot of fear and anxiety. It helps to turn off the news and avoid watching the fear-based news which just sends you into stress and emotional overwhelm.
It’s a tricky time for everyone these days. So much is changing and shifting. Remember to keep an eye on the big picture and remember the world is going through a major transformation. Let’s use this challenging time to reflect, meditate, get more centred and learn to live as more aware humans on this beautiful planet of ours.
There has never been a time as dramatic as this happening simultaneously around the globe. A lot of attitudes and perceptions are shifting as are prejudices. Let´s hope after all this becomes a distant memory, we have learnt some important life lessons. Learning more about compassion, kindness and what is truly important in this life. Let us never take things for granted again.
More love and creativity in our lives is are a good way forward.