Staying Healthy and Happy in the Midst of COVID-19
Written by: Elise Ghitman
This is an intense time for all of us. Whether you’re on the front lines working a job that’s deemed essential, or you have the freedom and privilege to self-quarantine. Whether you’ve had the virus or currently have the virus, or are safe and healthy but scared. If you’re immunocompromised or elderly, or worried for your friends/family in those groups.
No matter what position you’re in, it is really important that we remember to check in with ourselves and come up with strategies to adapt.
I am home and doing my best to self-quarantine. I am a student and lucky enough to be able to complete my studies and work my internships from a place of comfort and safety. I wanted to share some daily routines and habits which are keeping me sane and healthy during this time.
1. Staying in touch with friends and family
I’ve been Facetime-ing friends and family. I find under these strange conditions, conversation flourishes. We can talk about our lives in the big-picture in a way that was less possible before, when life was busier. This is a great time to discuss your big goals, your personal history, or to reflect on what lessons the past couple years have taught you.
2. Working out
Maintaining my relationship to physical exercise is giving me a much-needed, regular boost of endorphins. I don’t use weights, just crunches, lunges, push-ups, etc. Also, it’s an excuse to get outside, if you’re a jogger like me (albeit a really, really slow jogger.)
I’m also really into yoga. I understand it’s not for everyone, but it really helps me break up thought patterns that are not helpful. There’s a bunch of free videos available on YouTube, and I like trying new routines. Just another way to check in with yourself and give your body love.
3. Getting outside
Feeling the air on my face and seeing wildlife and nature (even if it is just squirrels in the park) makes me feel more like a human! And passing people on the road when I’m walking has actually been really nice, just smiling and waving reassures me that everyone’s out there.
4. Limiting social media
This has been really challenging for me in these past few weeks. I get so addicted to scrolling and it drains my energy. Especially in a crisis, I find social media is not an ideal place to be. Read your favorite, reliable news source, connect with your people, and take action if you have the resources. Then log off. This brings me to my next point…
5. Taking action
Many of us are continuing our jobs and other responsibilities, whether from home or not. So this point is geared towards people with resources like time, money, and energy to put into organizing and helping vulnerable populations.
Do you know an elderly or immunocompromised person? Call them and see what they need. Have you checked in on your friends with essential jobs? Is there a Mutual Aid group in your area?
Here in Western Mass there is a ton of virtual organizing going on. Here is a link to the Western Mass Community Mutual Aid page:
I’m going to also include this info about a fund my aunt set up to raise money for hungry folks in the Boston area. This is from an email she sent:
“We recently set up a centralized fund, from which we give up to $150 to people who request it, and also support grocery deliveries that we coordinate with local volunteers. Our hotline has been receiving over 100 calls each day for food support. Many families have completely run out of food; people are hungry and desperate. For now our fund is on Venmo:@jproxburymutualaid.
We’re working closely with mutual aid coordinators in other neighborhoods (eg Roxbury and Dorchester) in the hopes of redistributing wealth from areas of Boston in which it’s more concentrated.”
If you have time, phone-bank or sign petitions in support of workers who are being laid off, or subjected to unsafe working conditions. Here’s a link to find your legislator:
Call them and tell them you support legislation to ban evictions and foreclosures during this time! Express your concerns and wishes to them — I have found the people on the other end of the line to be really receptive and helpful.
Is there a petition to support contingent faculty at your local colleges? Here is one you can sign to support Adjunct Faculty at Smith:
If you have a sewing machine, make some masks to donate!
How to Sew Your Own Fabric Mask
Donate money if you can, and accept help if you need it! But don’t feel guilty if you don’t have the time/money to contribute at this moment. Do what you can, when you can, and forget the rest.
6. Goals/Schedules
I wrote down some monthly goals, a daily schedule, and a reading list for the month of April and tacked it to the wall facing my bed. This is keeping me in touch with what I am trying to do and is helping me remember that there’s still a future worth building towards, hopefully a COVID19—free future.
7. Comforting content
It might not be time to watch the movie Contagion or read The Plague. I’ve been re-watching Harry Potter and reading a lot of books about the craft of writing. Also, listening to podcasts and yes, checking into celebrities’ live Instagram appearances. Sometimes you need to escape.
8. Get creative
It’s a great time to be creative, maybe in a way you aren’t used to. I’m an English major so I’m used to constantly writing, but I’ve found myself playing guitar and doodling way more often than usual. This could be a rare opportunity to hone an artistic skill.
Anyway, these are just some thoughts. Please share in the comments what you’ve been up to! What have you been reading, watching, listening to? What are some challenges you’re facing? What are some ways you’re staying healthy?
Wishing you safety, health and maybe some joy too.
<3 Elise
Author Bio: Elise Ghitman
