We’re certainly living in strange times right now, aren’t we? Day to day life feels different, our conversations with one another can’t help but bring up coronavirus and I’ve personally in my lifetime never really experienced anything like this. Things feel uncertain and “off” and frankly, it all feels a bit overwhelming. I actually wrote this post last Tuesday and my how things have rapidly changed.

When I think of the ramifications of this global pandemic and how far and wide they’ll be felt, I feel particularly scared and helpless. Even my businesses have already been affected. Cancelled events and therefore contracts and client launches and priorities moved out. I’m having to zero out line items of money I had counted on. It’s unsettling to say the least.

So what can we do? Here’s some ways I thought up on how to assuage some of the overwhelming feelings in today’s state of the world. And please, please if you are able: stay home and practice social distancing!

17 Uplifting Things To Do During These Uncertain Times

Go for a walk.

Avoiding group workout classes but not ready to go stir crazy at home and still craving some fitness? Get a walking routine going with yourself. Listen to a new podcast or uplifting music.

Do a digital detox.

Try deleting social media apps from your phone for an entire weekend. See how you fill up the time otherwise and revel in it.

Meditate.

This is a big one for me. Realizing how breath work helps calm my nervous system was one of the biggest revelations in my personal life in recent years.

Take a pause.

Just allow yourself some stillness in your day. This can mean meditation or it can just mean some deep breathing wherever you’re at – your desk, your couch, before you go to bed. Get off your phone, turn off the news and just be.

Try incorporating CBD into your routine.

I wrote all about how I use it to quell my anxiety here.

Call a friend.

The current state of the world we’re living in can mean less togetherness for the foreseeable future. Enter: more FaceTimes. Nothing boosts my mood more than a call to a good friend and on FaceTime in particular. I also did a group Google Hangout with all my college girlfriends last night and it was so fun!

Buy some flowers.

Having living things in your home is good for your mood and your home’s energy. One of my favorite ways to treat myself and to brighten my home is to fill it with flowers. You’ll also be supporting florists who are often small business owners. Try UrbanStems for flower delivery. Consider a new plant, too! I love the ones I have from The Sill and they’ll deliver to your house!

Open the windows.

I did an energy session with a reiki master earlier this year and she told me one of the best things we can all do for ourselves is to open our windows more often. Letting fresh air waft through your home is a way to encourage more deep breaths and detox the energy in our homes.

Cook a yummy meal.

When I am overwhelmed, I love nothing more than taking an evening to cook a delicious comfort meal. All my go-to recipes can be found within this post.

Stay hydrated.

Staying hydrated helps a whole myriad of things but when you are dehydrated your mood can be affected so don’t make matters worse and remember to drink up lots of H20!

Send snail mail.

Everyone loves getting a card in the mail so send some to those you can’t see right now IRL as a little pick me up.

Support small businesses.

In this economy small businesses desperately need our transactions. Consider making purchases from those small businesses you can find on Amazon and on Etsy and cautiously be a patron to those in your community.

Start a feel good book.

I love an evening where I get into bed early and get to turn the pages of a feel-good book. Start a new one (and stop reading the one you’re reading for the time being if it’s not uplifting!) or consider signing up for Book of the Month. I always, always look forward to getting my selections in the mail.

Begin using a gratitude journal.

It’s important during times that are anxiety-ridden to practice identifying the good – no matter how big or small. I use this gratitude journal daily and wrote all about how it has positive affected my life here.

Workout from home and practice stretching.

Avoiding the gym and group classes? Try working out at home! I’ve heard great things about both Obe Fitness and Melissa Wood Health’s at-home workouts. And as we all start to spend more time sitting at home, don’t forget the benefits of stretching. Here are some good ones to do. Remember, in the words of Elle Woods: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”

Donate to a cause.

Doing good = feeling good. When times get tough people tend to not be as charitable. Pick one cause you love and support and donate to them today. You’ll feel good having helped – no matter how big or small your donation.

Practice diligence and common sense.

Actually heed the warnings. Practice social distancing as you can. Continue disinfecting things as much as possible. Cut out non-essential travel. Be smart and savvy and hopefully this will all be over soon than they predict.

. . .

Do you have any tips you can share for when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Leave in the comments to spread the wellbeing!

In the end, we can only control what we can control. And panic and added stress never helped anyone! So keep calm, do the aforementioned activities and may this tide pass soon. In the meantime, we’re all in this together <3

I’ll have some programming ideas tomorrow on how to spend your time while we practice social distancing!

p.s. my best work habits and tips for working from home.

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