10 DO’s and DON’Ts to Survive Lockdown

Today marks 2 weeks since we’ve been social distancing in my house, which has meant pretty much only going out for essentials, a run, walk the dog and throw the ball for him. On that first weekend, we met one friend at the park to play and went out for hot chocolate after. I felt bad about that. Since then it has been virtual playdates for my only child, an 8 year old boy, and daily negotiations about getting on this screen or that. Or getting off. Most parents are putting no limits on screen time. And I can’t deny that sounds divine.

These are strange and difficult times. Unprecedented they say. I say, as I sit staring out the window wondering what I should be doing right now. Like most of us, I can’t go to my job and I have a young child at home. How do we not have ALL of our lessons be 20/20 in hindsight alone? I listened to some short talk by one of my mentors, Caroline Myss. Perhaps some of you have heard of her. She’s recorded a short video everyday this week to help us keep connected and to give some insight into the significance of our time during COVID-19. She offered her listeners a word yesterday that touched me to the core: Endurance. That is what we she believes will get us through this time. I couldn’t agree more.

I have some experience with that from running ultramarathons and I’d like to offer you some tools I used for getting through a 100 miles or a 24 hour race that might help you through the next few weeks. We could be social distancing for a long time and while I don’t judge you for doing what you need to get through these times, I ask you be kind to yourself, that you be aware of your choices to be sure they are truly nourishing you. I plead you to heed this call, this opportunity to slow down, get quiet and truly, deeply listen to your body, mind and soul. Let it tell you what it needs.

We have an opportunity. I can not deny there is a part of lockdown that I like. Don’t ever think I wish for illness or death or the loss of a loved one or a whole community on anyone. Nor do I welcome the shutdown of our economy that will take months if not years from which to recover. I sobbed while watching the videos circulating around of health care workers and volunteers working 15-30 hour shifts, risking and in too many cases losing their own lives to take care of ours. I see the elderly alone behind the windows waving, trying to touch their spouses of 50 years, their children and grandchildren, scared and confused, families standing by as their loved ones face dying alone. It’s devastating.

I’m scared. I’m no germaphobe in normal times. I’m responsible, not gross, but I don’t worry. I think it’s good for my kid to get dirty, to build up his immune system, not sanitize everything. These days I’m singing the ABC song to the point of cracks in my hands. Because I’m scared. My partner’s parents are in their late 80’s. If either of them gets this, neither of them will make it. He’s missing his Easter visit to see them and is frightened for his father who was ALREADY afraid he’ll die alone. My partner himself has exercise induced asthma, is 49 and reminds me daily the biggest population to get hit with this in the US are men in his age bracket. My best friend, 50 years old has 5 autoimmune diseases and has had pneumonia 3 times in the last 3 years. She needs chloraquine to keep her symptoms and illnesses at bay. And if she happens to get COVID-19, I’d be afraid she wouldn’t be able to fight it off. My sister in law, niece, and at least 4 friends from my son’s school are nurses or doctors. We ALL know someone directly affected by this virus.

There are a lot of unanswered questions on so many levels. I don’t know when we will have answers to many of them, if ever. In the meanwhile, let us take this opportunity to get to know ourselves better, take this quiet time to listen, take this slow time to look for longer, go a little deeper. What is important is to not let any of it be a reason to turn on yourself, to get down on yourself. The point is this. As you know more about yourself, which is a lifelong journey, you will identify what you want to strengthen in yourself. You will know better your likes and dislikes, what you need, what you want, why you don’t have it and what you can to do create the life, body, mind and being you strive to have.

As we go through this time we are likely discovering things we thought we needed but don’t – things we spend time and money on that aren’t necessarily serving us. Taking stock. What about normal might you want to leave behind? Certain things may be obvious, others you may not discover until you do get back to life as it was. No doubt this is a time to practice finding the calm, still, silent place inside. That is where the lessons are, that is where the eternal love is, where our strength lies, where the parts become the whole. That is with you all the time no matter how fast and loud things are around you. THAT is YOU!

10 DO’S AND DON’TS FOR A SANE LOCKDOWN

1. DO savor the stillness and silence of sleep. In the morning lie in bed on your back in silence, do a body scan before you get up in the morning, sense the clarity of your mind. DON’T read the news or your emails before you get out of bed.
2. DO move your body everyday. Exercise, stretch, go for a walk, play ball with your kids. DON’T get injured. You don’t want to end up in a hospital or urgent care right now. Don’t overdo it because you’re bored. Start where you are, build on that. Set up a specialized program with an online trainer. If you know and follow your limits, find one of the millions of online workouts available right now on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
3. DO pick one thing per day you’re going to tackle – write it down. Follow through to completion. DON’T expect yourself to finish all the projects you ever thought of during this time. That’s unrealistic. That includes finally getting your body in tip top shape. You can start and you should while recognizing these are stressful times, so be easy on yourself.
4. DO nourish your body with good food, yummy flavors, stay on track with your nourishment. DON’T emotionally eat/stress eat/cook/bake. Keep track of your intake. Eat at meal or snack time.
5. DO continue to keep promises to yourself, taking steps daily toward your goals. You have momentum. Use it. DON’T throw up your hands and say whatever to your goals and the progress you’ve made because everything is chaotic. Create your own order.
6. DO drink plenty of water. It helps to fight germs. A dehydrated body is vulnerable to illness. DON’T get into excessive caffeine, alcohol and cannabis consumption – it depresses your immune system, your emotions, and fogs up your mind. Stay sharp.
7. DO connect with others, especially if you’re on lockdown alone – thank you modern technology – you don’t have to be alone. Check in on someone and let them check on you. DON’T go more than 24 hours without making contact with another person.
8. DO make physical contact with others when appropriate – hug your family everyday. Sit close, snuggle up and read a book together. DON’T shut down to people in your home. Take the space you need when you need it, let people in when you need each other. Be the bigger person in an argument. Get help if you feel physically or emotionally unsafe. That’s ESSENTIAL.
9. DO make a plan and take action on it. Try to maintain your schedule as best you can, the parts that worked that is. Include work, exercise, meals, chores Kids especially need some help keeping a rhythm and a schedule. DON’T blob out EVERY day. Let yourself relax, a binge watch here and there is harmless. Total inactivity and lack of productivity, however, can lend to depression and anxiety.
10. DO get outside regularly. Set an alarm for every hour on the hour and step outside for 5 minutes. Take walks, garden, or simply sit on your deck. Take in the clarity of the air with the reduction in pollution. Notice how quiet it is? DON’T risk your or anyone else’s health by staying at least 6 feet from another and not gathering in groups. Of course wash your hands.

BONUS TIP

Keep a gratitude list – on paper or in your mind. As the big and loud things fall away, the beauty in simplicity is revealed. The lockdown leaves open places of business that provide only those things considered essential. Now, what is ESSENTIAL for YOU?

Find a community to engage with, to check in with daily while you navigate your days and continue to make progress on your goals. Sole to Soul Fitness Community on Facebook is a great place to get encouragement or to share it. Not only are we all in this pandemic together, we are all on life’s journey together. We all have something to offer. You can’t keep it unless you give it away.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Connected.

Much love and gratitude!