My top mood boosters during the Pandemic
I’ve been dealing with anxiety since my early 20s and needless to say 2020 was a year full of anxiety and unknowns. My second son was born during circuit breaker via emergency C-section, the ups and downs of running a gym during this time, home-schooling(big respect to teachers), not knowing when I will be able to see my family again, all added to my stress levels and anxiety. More then every, we need to take care of our mental health. Here are my top go to’s that help boost my mood.
Meditation
Whether you are just starting out or have been practicing meditation for many years, making meditation a part of your daily routine can help reduce your stress levels, improve your sleep, increase your self awareness, decrease anxiety and release negative emotions. Life can be so hectic and demanding, especially in these modern times where we forget to slow down and take the time to recharge. So much demands our attention, and we are constantly over stimulated. I don’t always fit in my meditation everyday, but I do know the days I do, I am much more calm, relaxed and patient (which being a mum you need lots of)
There is many different forms of meditation, and you need to find what best works for you. Here are few tips for creating a good meditation habit:
1) Meditation App
If you are a beginner/intermediate I would recommend Headspace or Insight Timer. I’ve been using insight timer for the past year and is a great tool for guided meditation, music and live workshops.
If you are looking for a new experience try signing up for a meditation course or one to one with a intuitive healer. Here are my recommendations for healers in Singapore:
Dani Van de Velde. https://daniellevandevelde.com/ or Sarah Grisby https://cultivatingwholeness.space/
2) Create a meditation space in your home
Make your own space (doesn’t have to be big) with a few things that creates a sense of calming and relaxation. In my meditation space I use crystals, lavender candles, sage and soft cushions. This space acts as a reminder to meditate daily for me. Surrounding yourself with things that brings you peace and joy also helps put you in the right mind set.
3) Try different ways to Meditate
Meditation is not about clearing your mind of ALL thoughts. It’s about making space to allow yourself to be in a better headspace and releasing all that does not serve you. Meditation comes in many different forms as well. A long walk in nature, finding a quiet space beneath a tree, watching waves crash into a shore or listening to calming music. Find what best works for you and try to make it a daily ritual.
Exercise
There is so many physical benefits to exercise, but it also can help our mental health too. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. Exercise is also shown to reduce levels of stress, decrease depression & anxiety, boost your mood, and help you sleep better at night. The recommended amount of exercise is 30 minutes 5/6 times a week. It’s important to find activities that you love so try new things.
My personal go-to for training has been HIIT because I love the feeling of accomplishing a grueling workout and the high I get after every F45 class. But I also like to mix it up with weekly Pilates sessions and yoga. You need to find what works for you and make it part of your weekly routine.
Music
The power of music helps our mental, physical and emotional health in many ways. I know it can change the mood I’m in and get me out of my “funk”. Whether I am just getting up in the morning, making my cup of coffee or sitting down at my laptop to work, you will always find background music in my home. Create different playlist for the activity or mood that you want to set.
Scientists know that listening to music engages your brain — they can see the active areas light up in MRI scans.
Neurological researchers have found that listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health:
Dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and “reward” centers
Stress hormones like cortisol
Serotonin and other hormones related to immunity
Oxytocin, a chemical that fosters the ability to connect to others
So next time you need a mental boost throw on your favorite playlist and let the music take you to a happy place. Even better, play your favorite song and get up and dance like no one is watching!
Connections
We are social creatures and we need that feeling of belonging, purpose and connection. With the global panadamic we’ve been locked down, social distanced, and stranded from our loved ones. More then ever we need to find ways to connect in different ways. Whether it’s a weekly group Facetime with your friends & family, movie nights with your locked in family/friends, or reconnecting with old ones, try to be creative to make the “digital connection” fun. We’ve had family trivia nights with Ugly Christmas sweaters over the holidays with my family spread all over the world. I’ve also reached out to old friends that I lost contact with since moving to Singapore and reunited again which helped me feel a sense of reconnection to a part of me pre-covid.
New Project
Knock something off your “to-do” list! Finishing a project, big or small, can give us a great feeling of accomplishment and purpose. Whether it’s reorganizing your home, planting a garden, or starting a passion project you’ve been thinking about for some time, use this forced “downtime” to do something that will make you feel good for getting it done.
