How to Cope with COVID-19
Things are weird right now…almost like a twilight zone feeling. What we’re experiencing is definitely nothing I’ve ever seen in my lifetime and I hope not to have to experience it again. It can be difficult to stay positive and motivated amid daily news alerts, breaking news, restrictions and regulations. Honestly, I even find it odd to tackle some of my project tasks right now – for some reason they don’t seem that important or relevant given the crisis that we’re in. HOWEVER…we can’t stop living. I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, my plan has always been to Pray and Plan during this time. The best coping tactic for me is to Be Productive and to Stay Positive.
It’s Day 5– of quarantine for the Jones household and so far so good. We all will have to identify our own coping mechanisms as we manage our new normal – but I thought I’d share how I’ve survived..thus far. I should preface this with...I have two boys, one is in third-grade, so many of my coping tactics include ways to manage my sanity with being in the house with children.
1. Hope for the best, PLAN for the worst. I am optimistic that we can “flatten the curve” soon and somehow this virus will be contained, however in the meantime I’ve been planning for what I’ll feed my family for the next several weeks and what my kids schedule will look like. Also, as a business owner I’ve been planning for how we will keep the business running, how to stay engaged with our clients and with potential clients. I know sometimes plans can fall flat, but I think if we do our due diligence to create the plan..it can work out for us.
2. Make a master SCHEDULE. You may be saying “Duh…I always have a schedule”, but I’m sure your schedule before included you doing something outside of the house. Consider your new schedule while we are all practicing social distancing. For you moms this includes scheduling in quiet time, chore time and lunch time - AND accepting your role as the “lunch lady” and the P.E. teacher...if you have a significant other put him on duty too (shout out to my hubby). This schedule is saving my life right now! A simple color pencil and pen schedule on printer paper!
3. Daily DEVOTION is a must. I have to start my day with morning meditations. Before I even try to tackle the day, before I check into the local news and or CNN, I have to be in a mindset, I have to have tapped into my inner peace before I subject myself to all of what’s out there. Devotion can come in different forms - it could be an actual devotional that you read. Right now I’m reading Big Idea Food - by Marlena Banks; highly recommended for entrepreneurs and side hustlers! Our Daily Bread is a go-to for me if I don't have anything else. It could be your bible or maybe you write for your devotion time, maybe you practice meditation or yoga. Whatever your quiet place looks like, do that first thing. When your feet hit the floor in the morning...wait.. brush your teeth first...BUT then go have your quiet time.
4. Take a BREAK or a few breaks. Being at home you may feel like you have to always be doing something so you’re not idle. You may you need to wash the clothes or you need to plow through your emails. It’s okay to take a break. Make sure you step away from your desk or whatever you’re doing. It’s okay to sit on the couch and chill. You can leave the phone and laptop upstairs, downstairs or wherever - but take a break and disconnect.
5. Finish one of those five BOOKS. How many books do you have on your bookshelf that have bookmarks in them? Really...go count them! Now is the perfect opportunity to finish at least one of those books. Research shows that reading can make us feel better and make us more positive. Depending on what you’re reading it may help you generate ideas for your brand. You can also take time to start or finish your own book outline. You have several notes on your phone or stickies on your desk with ideas for your book(s)- here’s your chance to put those ideas on paper.
6. Tap into your “Maya Angelou” and WRITE something. See #6. Since being in the house, I’ve been getting crazy inspiration for a book, new digital products and activities to stay engaged with my partners and clients. It’s been great! What have you started to write, but haven’t finished? You’ve drafted several blog posts, but haven’t finished any of them, they are sitting in your Google docs folder labeled “Blogs”...haha, okay that’s really me, but I know you can relate.
7. ORGANIZE and get some order in your... Email inbox, office, closet, pantry, and/or garage. It doesn’t matter which one, but pick one! I’m much more productive when my office is organized and clean. I know where everything is and have a tidy space to work in. Same for the closet- it’s easier to find my sweat pants and t-shirt (that’s all I’ve been wearing these days) when it’s in the proper order.
Organize your files and images. You may have files on your laptop, some on your portable hard drive and some in Google docs- take some time to organize all of your materials so you can better serve your clients. Spring cleaning can start today!
8. Summer is coming girl - get that EXERCISE time in! My excuse before has been I don’t have time. I have to drop off my kid and in the evening I’m too busy or too tired, etc...well I don’t really have any excuses right now. What’s your excuse? Take a nice 30 minute walk or pull up a YouTube video for a cardio workout. I just found out that the Peloton App is offering free classes for 90 days- yoga, cardio or meditation. Yeah...I don’t have a Peloton yet so I work with what I have in my home gym! Since I am also the P.E teacher these days- I’ve played several games of HORSE and 1-on-1 with my 9 YO...instant cardio! OH - the Sankofa Yoga and Wellness Center is also doing virtual classes - check them out too.
9. Don’t eat all the SNACKS. Since you are exercising you probably shouldn’t eat ALL of the snacks. I’m trying to eat healthy during this time- smoothies in the morning, and maybe for lunch and a sensible dinner. Do what works for you- but step away from the snacks. You can reward yourself after you’ve finished at least three days of exercising per week, or after you finish that blog post...then maybe you can treat yourself.
10. Stay Connected - virtually. There is FaceTime, Zoom, Skype...there are ways to stay connected with your friends and family. Check on your folks- makes sure they are doing okay. These are uncertain and hard times for many people- let's continue to support one another!
Come on folks - let’s use this time wisely. If you don’t have to go out - DON’T...lay low, until this thing gets its life together…