I didn’t expect to be writing my first blog post and launching this during a pandemic, but here we are in July of 2020. The world is still reeling from the devastating effects of the coronavirus and how it transformed the world as we know it in a matter of weeks with an impact that will be felt for months and years to come. As I write this, I’ve been at home for 4 months with limited social interaction. It’s been an emotional roller coaster and I feel compelled to write and use this as an outlet to connect with others.

Here in Massachusetts, we’re just entering into Phase 3 of our reopening while much of the USA is now faced with surging COVID-19 cases and potential hospital bed shortages. Our “surge” happened in April 2020 and we’re now over 8,000 deaths and 100,000+ cases in our state. I truly feel for what folks are going through and have gone through during this pandemic. During the peak of the outbreak, each day and week brought heightened anxiety and uncertainty about the world and what our future would look like (aka our new normal). Now, the pandemic and it’s political response combined with a groundswell of awareness, support and new momentum the for Black Lives Matter movement (following the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many more) has our country outraged, divided and on the brink of uncertainly like never before. I’ve found that my time is punctuated with bursts of productivity and despair. I ride waves of gratitude and guilt that my family is currently safe, healthy, have food on the table, and a roof over our heads while facing a nagging feeling that personal tragedy is right around the corner. if I may borrow the ubiquitous phrase we’ve all heard on repeat, it truly is an “unprecedented time.”

My original aspiration of using this blog to share my favorite things and spread positivity remains, but it will look a little different...Instead of talking about my upcoming trips (all now cancelled) and favorite summer cocktails on Cape Cod (I’ve been upping my home bartending skills these past months), I feel an urge to share my experience and the things that are helping me through. Here’s how I’m staying sane:

#1 Have a routine and schedule - We’ve all heard this and I will echo the importance of this in my own experience. This gives my husband and I structure and a small sense of control and normalcy that we desperately need now. My biggest scheduling tips are:

• Maintain a consistent time to wake up and go to bed - Having trouble sleeping? Set up a bedtime routine to help ease into sleep.

• Start your day with something for YOU and get your day going with intention - it might be a few uninterrupted minutes with a cup of coffee before your kids are up, a workout or a mindfulness practice like meditation or gratitude journaling. I don’t love waking up early, but I do love starting the day off with a workout to make me feel energized and ready to tackle whatever comes my way (endorphins are your friend!).

• Break up the day - If you’re working make sure to regularly get up and take a break / walk / stretch (I schedule my meetings in 25 or 50 minute increments to leave a few minutes in between for this purpose). Parents should not feel guilty carving in some me time (your sanity, happiness and health are crucial to taking care of your kiddos).

• Check in with your mind and body daily - What do you need right now? Need to change your routine for you a day because you need to rest? Do it! Craving some vitamin D? Take that meeting outside while walking, do an outdoor workout or play outside with the kids. You get the idea…Your routine is there to serve you and if it’s not working then try something new until you find what does work. A routine should help energize you but not become a source of burden.

#2 Treat yourself well - Make time for daily movement and activity and fuel your body well. I gravitate towards more intense workouts as it’s a big stress reliever for me (currently I’m doing a 6 week HIIT + Strength program that I’m LOVING). I encourage you to be active in whatever way feels good to you whether it be a walk, yoga, dancing or at home spin sesh - the point being that your body was made to move not siting at a desk or on the couch binge watching TV all day. In a similar fashion, fuel your body with nutritious foods most of the time. Eating well can be as simple or complex as you want to make it, but the key is to have a balanced diet and avoid too much alcohol, dairy (cheese, I’m looking at you), sugar, and fried foods. Watch your portions (having a digital scale and measuring tools are a huge help).

#3 Remember it’s OK to laugh and have fun - Guilt creeps in when I find myself having fun at home with Matt and Mason, but we’re meant to live a joyful life and I need to remind myself of this. That doesn’t mean ignoring what’s happening in the world, but it does mean looking out for your own mental health and wellbeing by doing things that make you happy when you can. Laughter won’t cure COVID-19 or solve systematic racism in our country, but it will help you cope (thank you Netflix standup specials!). Keep connecting with your friends and family to chat or play a virtual game. Sure, Zoom or distanced outdoor hangouts might not be the same as the after work drinks from a trendy cocktail bar but there are still opportunities to connect with loved ones while staying safe.  

Stay home, be safe, and go get it.