If you are tuned in to the news, social media, radio shows, basically if you are breathing, you’ve been inundated with updates about COVID-19 B.K.A. Coronavirus disease; the virus strain that originated (was first identified) in Wuhan, China and has quickly spread across the world earning the official title of  a Pandemic.  This present state might just have some of you in a CoronaDAZE.

I watched 2 ladies stumble over each other yesterday trying to get to the last thermometer on the shelf and had one person waste a valuable 2 minutes on the phone asking me if cars were in the drive-thru because she wanted to come up and get her prescription real quick.  I tried to explain to the lady, I didn’t know how many cars would be there once she got there, but she insisted on knowing how many were in the line right then.  The grocery stores are empty and some parents are complaining that we are hoarding (overbuying) and they can’t get food for their children at the grocery stores.

Seriously, now is not the time to wonder around bewildered as if we don’t have the quality of being practical. Following the basic guidelines and being prepared for the temporary are smart moves that will ensure we are all working together as ONE community to get back to our normal day to day.

In the meantime, people are confined to their homes and some are just not here for it.  I want to make sure you are mindful of your mental state so we change the tune of CoronaDAZE!  

Let’s change the thought…

NEWS ALERT – Corona DAYS: Where history was made as we united across the globe and ended a Pandemic. Here’s how we stayed sane; (Choose activities that interest you)…

• EXERCISE! I bet you knew that would be first on the list. Moving is Medicine. There is no better way to get to a state of euphoria than to get those endorphins up by doing some exercise.  So many people were saddened as gyms started locking their doors left and right in response to the social distancing mandates.  The good news is, there are several workouts that you can grab for free on YouTube, other social media platforms or from your favorite fitness enthusiast online.  Many companies have made their online streaming service free during this pandemic.   If that is overwhelming to you, a simple walking/jogging routine outside is a good place to start.  If you are always saying you need to start working out but you never do, this is the perfect time to get started.  Why not, you have nothing else better to do! It’s the right circumstance to start a challenge and take control of your fitness goals.  You can use the Diets Are Dead 90 Day Undated Journal to guide you through. Finally, Grab the kiddos and make them keep you company while you are working out. They probably would really love a dance party break!  They need to stay active during this time as well.

• COOK!  For some people, this isn’t anything new.  However, a huge problem with some people who want to live a healthier lifestyle is they don’t manage to make time for cooking. Maybe you don’t know how to cook.  No problem! Again, Pinterest is the place to hang out in that regard.  There are plenty of recipes for FREE on there.  Many of them complete with videos if you are more of a visual person.  COVID-19 can claim your chef transformation. Keep it positive.  There has never been a better time to experiment on your culinary skills.  If you’ve purchased my book, Diets Are Dead Win Small With M.E.D.S., there are several sheet pans recipes in there to get your creative juices flowing!

• READ or WRITE! Yes, I know this isn’t everyone’s favorite past time, however we all benefit from being forever learners.  Mix your reading with pleasure and education to balance your daily activities. You’ve got fiction, non-fiction, magazines, blog posts, online classes, etc.  Snuggle up under your blanket in your favorite reading spot and enjoy the peacefulness of a good read. Check in with friends and make it a virtual book club meeting.  If you are a Christian, this is a good time for you and your family to independently read a study bible from cover to cover.  This is a process that usually takes the better part of a year.  You can get a major jump start while at home and you are bound to grow in the spirit while accomplishing a task of this manner. You can also touch up your writing skills.  Write a book! If you have a book inside of you, get a first draft done.  Open up your journal and explore your feelings through reflection. 

• WATCH TV! If you don’t have DVR, I’m sure you have a streaming service.  I have several shows I watch on my lunch break streaming Netflix and I often pick out a movie from time to time.  I love watching or listening to comedy specials while cooking.  Movie nights make for great family time. If your family can sustain the pollen, get creative and watch a movie on the deck.  I had a “drive-in” movie recently! We backed the truck under the garage and watched the movie in the truck. Super fun! It’s just something different. Pop the popcorn, grab the movie candy, roast some hotdogs in the oven and make a night of it.  Get creative.

• ORGANIZE! I know there is something you have been meaning to check off the to-do list. Do your TAXES, maybe? It could be as simple as washing up all the clothes and changing comforters or as major as writing a will.  Do you have that much needed 6 month survival Emergency fund? If not, now is the time to plan how you will save for it moving forward.  Set up automated savings or physically make deposits in a different bank than your primary bank to keep the ER fund out of site.   Update or get a medical directive, durable power of attorney for healthcare and finances, a revocable living trust or the will I mentioned before.  Review your finances, investments and plan for retirement.  Assess all of these goals and make adjustments.  Specific to you might be a community project you are working on or responsible for.  Now would be the time to get it all done and off your mind.  Find your spot in the house where you do your best work and get organized. Do you know where your parents Medical records are? How about their health & life insurance, advance directives, banking information, investment info, deeds/titles, safe deposit box, hidden treasures, wills, birth certificates, marriage licenses and end of life decisions?  Do they know all of this about you? Does your spouse? Do your adult children?  Now is the time to organize everything that helps us operate from day to day.  Get a planner (or make your own) and set up a day to review finances and everything in between.

• CLEAN!  Maybe that should have been before organize! Before you can get organized, you have to clean up. Cleaning up is something you most likely either love or dislike.  That deep cleaning that you claim there is never enough time for…whelp, here it is.  Throw out all the junk you haven’t touched in over five years.  Pile up clothes to donate that you haven’t worn in 3 years.  Clean under your sink, I bet there is a pile of junk there.  Get rid of expired medications.  We have take back centers at local pharmacies or if you want to be extra put them in kitty litter and empty in the trash.  Vacuum, dust, mop…WOOT! Fun stuff!

• PASSION PROJECTS A.K.A. SIDE HUSTLE! The side hustle is a term known to millennials but affective for ALL. Don’t get me wrong, my parents had jobs in addition to their trained profession as I’m sure several people do.  Where the millennial differs is, they choose passion projects and make that a side hustle.  The purpose and results is not only money (of course millennials are here for the money) BUT most important it improves Q.O.L. (quality of life).  Have you ever wondered why these millennials go so hard with their passion while you are on the outside looking in thinking “I’d be fine with my job as an educator”?  It’s because, all though we might have thriving careers and most exceptional in it, it might not be ours.  There is nothing wrong with that!  We can get up and go work as a pharmacist, ER doctor, teacher, counselor, nurse, manager etc. and balance our quality of life by owning our own passion in the form of businesses, websites, podcasts etc.   Research shows, that millennials are more productive on their “jobs”(trained profession) when they are excelling at their side hustle. Have you ever thought about getting a side hustle?  Now is the time to explore the option.  If you have to work 2 jobs, there is nothing wrong with that.  Please don’t mistake my words for bashing your livelihood.  With the extra time you have right now, this avenue is just something to consider.  Jump on the millennial train and turn your passion to profit.

• INTERACT! This is the tricky part! Some of you have live communication options on your cell phones which are great.  Let me hip you to a great way to stay connected if you aren’t already utilizing  it to the fullest. MARCO POLO!  My high school girlfriends and I have been using it daily to stay connected for about 3 years.  Everyone is busy living life and we just don’t have time to talk on the phone every night and we surely aren’t seeing each other every day like we did in high school. Marco Polo is an app that you can download on your phone.  You make a video on your own time and the recipient(s) can watch at their convenience and respond in kind.  We have been using it for about three years and we LOVE it! You get to lay eyes on each other and that is much different than our second favorite communication source.  GROUP ME is an app! We were using that years before and still do for times when we can’t make videos.  It is the ultimate free group text communication source.  What I really love about group me, is we go in the gallery and quickly reminisce on pictures and memories we’ve made together.  Download the Marco Polo app, make some groups with your friends and family or whoever you can’t see right now, and stay in touch in a cool fun way.

• GAME NIGHT!  With less than 10 family members of course!  Your immediate family can have tons of fun playing games at home.  Let each member of the family choose a game and switch the games up as many times as you would like. My family is a huge fan of Left Right Center.  A list of games would make for another post all together but I’m sure your family has house favorites. 

• GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! Sounds contrary to advice, right.   It doesn’t mean to get out and about, just out of the house.  This is super important if you live alone and aren’t used to being confined to the house.  We were designed for companionship and interaction and all of the items listed above won’t do if you are in the house solo ALL day EVERY day. That is not good for your mental state.  Visit someone who you don’t pose a threat to and who doesn’t pose a threat to you.  You all can engage in some of the activities listed above together.  Even if you have a family at home, you need to see the sunlight as well. Go for a walk, sit on the porch, just absorb the outside energy.  On a final note: If you have loved ones who are confined to the house, this social distancing effort is a great way to step into your loved ones shoes.  When this is all over, take this as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of visiting the sick and shut in, elderly, disabled, etc. people in your life. 

Now, that’s enough to keep you sane.  Keep in mind, the children still have school work to do and the adults have work to do.  These activities will keep your brain occupied in the evening and down time.  You have themed nights set up: Game night, Movie Night, New Workout Night (plus you get this every day if you like), TACO night or another creative family cooking experience, Spiritual night, Reading night, Project night and organizing/clean up night! If you get bored, pick something else off this list. All the best to everyone as we make it through these COVID-19 days. 

Live Healthy & Active. Be Prosperous.