WHEN THE WORLD IS GRAY
Written by Ellen Hogan
Hi. How are ya? Tired of being cooped up yet? I am. Here is an honest blogpost of how I’ve been feeling and what I’ve been doing to combat negative emotions.
Over countless (14? 15? I don’t even know anymore) weeks social distancing, I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days I am happy to be alive, working on crafty DIYs, playing with my dog, and cooking healthy meals. Other days I feel like I’m glued to the nearest soft surface and all I want is mac & cheese and chocolate. Those days (how can I put it eloquently?) SUCK. I’m not going to say that it’s been easy to combat it, but here are a few things that I’ve been trying. I hope they can help you in some way!
KEEP A ROUTINE
I know, everyone is saying this these days, but they have a point. When quarantine first started, many of us treated work from home or being laid off as a vacation. But after a couple weeks (let alone 4 months), living in sweats and eating junk food begins to take its toll.
Even on the rough days, I’ve forced myself to have a bit of routine. Every morning, I make my bed, take my dog for a walk, make breakfast and coffee (or tea), and read my Bible. That first hour of my day gives me something to wake up for and look forward to.
MOVE YOUR BODY (EVEN JUST A LITTLE)
A common misconception about exercise is “if you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right”. While getting your heart rate up is crucial to cardiovascular health, there are some days that you just don’t feel up to an intense workout and THAT’S OKAY. Remember this: ANY MOVEMENT IS GOOD. Don’t put limits on yourself as to how long or hard you need to workout. Some days it’s a challenge just to do ordinary tasks.
On days like those I challenge myself to either go on a walk or do a slow-paced yoga flow. That way, I’m taking care of my body, which can help my mind get back in check and make me feel less murder-y. To quote Legally Blonde, “Working out gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t kill their husbands.”
OTHER ENDORPHIN SOURCES
Speaking of endorphins, wine and chocolate both have endorphin boosting properties, which is probably why we love them so much. So, have a glass of red wine and a piece of dark chocolate when you’re not feeling 100%, just don’t do it constantly or you’ll stunt your progress in other places. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION, KIDS.
Another endorphin booster is meditation. For me, reading my Bible and praying have helped keep me grounded through this time, even on the crappy days. Dara keeps a gratitude journal which helps her stay positive. However you meditate, meditate on GOOD things. Don’t dwell on the bad news that we’re constantly bombarded with. In fact, if the news is taking it out of you, don’t check it at all. Bad news is muddy and can dirty our thoughts really quickly, it’s okay to take a break from it and live under a rock for a second.
CONNECTION AND LAUGHTER
It’s absolutely vital in times like these to connect with people you love. Thank God we have zoom, facetime, etc. as ways to see each other’s faces. It definitely helps combat loneliness.
One thing that I’ve noticed, though, is that some of my conversations have been very negative, constantly re-iterating the darkness that we’re in the midst of. Though that’s completely understandable (it’s what we’re all going through, after all), I’ve found what helps me is keeping conversations positive and making sure to LAUGH.
A great app for video chatting is Houseparty. It includes games, so you can play with your friends via video chat. That way, you can both get in a good laugh with your horrible drawing or sub-par trivia skills while still seeing each other’s faces.
You can also watch stand up or your favorite comedy movie, whatever gets you to REALLY LAUGH (I’m talking a deep guttural belly laugh). The times when you don’t feel like laughing are the times you need laughter the most. So, find something that makes you LOL, because that will give you endorphins too.
“IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY, BUT IT’S NOT OKAY TO STAY THERE”
My pastor said this in a sermon a few months ago, and it’s really stuck with me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeling dark, sad, lonely, or hopeless. Your emotions are 100% valid and you have every right to feel them. But find something small to push you forward, so the next day can be a little better. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take it one day at a time, slow and steady wins the race.
Hang in there,
Ellen
