Going the (Social) Distance

We at Jan Leslie would like to share ( and please share back)  ideas to stay mentally & physically healthy in these unprecedented times. 

COVID-19 has pulled the rug out from under life as we know it, leaving us scrambling to cope with our new normal. 

So here goes... 

1. Spread Positivity – To quote Mark Twain, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up.” Everybody’s life has been disrupted, which means everybody is in desperate need of extra kindness and generosity. It’s hard to believe now, but COVID-19 started from one person and made its way across the globe. There’s no reason one person can’t change the world in a positive way.
   
   If possible, donate to a local free clinic so they can continue to help those who need it most. Reach out to people over 60, people with preexisting conditions, and anyone who might be especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and offer to run errands for them or pay for their food deliveries. At Jan Leslie, we're donating 20% of all sales to Meals on Wheels America. The worst of times can bring out the best in people. Use this time to grow and become the best version of yourself you can be. You’ll feel less powerless, and will inspire others to do the same.

2. Exercise – Get moving! It’s entirely too easy to spend an entire day curled up on the couch, binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy, and wishing Dr. Derek Shepherd was around to find the cure and save us all. Exercising is obviously good for the body, but it’s also good for the mind because it requires an intense focus on movement and breathing. Even if you only exercise for a half hour a day, that becomes a daily vacation from the news, and a daily refresh of mind, body, and spirit. Your gym may be closed, but several are offering remote classes. FitnessBlender, a YouTube channel, has many rigorous, equipment-free workout videos. If you’re not really a gym person, put on your favorite playlist and have a dance party! Commit to getting your body in motion every single day- McDreamy can wait.
   
   
3. Step Away from the Screen – I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN (as soon as you are done reading this, of course). Spending days scrolling through the phone or staring at a laptop screen can feel like a necessity, especially if you’re working from home. Give your eyes a break and nourish your brain by setting aside at least an hour a day for screenless activities.
   
   Remember, social distancing doesn’t have to mean staying inside! Going for a walk and reconnecting with nature is perfectly safe, provided you stay 6 feet away from others. If you’re looking for indoor activities, why not curl up with a good book, solve a puzzle, or try a new recipe? Now is the perfect time to rediscover your hobbies and explore new ones.
   
   It's also the perfect time for creatives to create! Work on that Great American novel, write the next hit song, or, if you’re like Jan, use this time to design the next must-have accessory. 
   
   
4. Connect – Social distancing is not ideal, but we’re lucky to be doing it at a time when it’s easier than ever to get in touch with people. Do yourself a favor and check in daily with your loved ones. Send a text or email to an old friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile. So many of us are going through the same thing right now. It’s the perfect opportunity to bond.
   
   You can easily schedule a video conference call with friends or family through Google Hangouts, or host a movie night with friends using the Netflix Party app. You might have to stay in your room by yourself, but you don’t have to be alone.
   
   
5. Look Ahead – This too shall pass. Some days of social distancing are going to be harder than others, especially when no clear end date is in sight. It’s important to remember that this will end. Who are you most looking forward to seeing again? Where is the first place you’re going to go? What are you going to wear on your first night out on the town?
   
   Reflect on what you want your future to look like. Is there anything you’re dying to get back to? Is there anything you don’t miss at all? Really think about what’s important to you so you can take full advantage of your time once you’re free to spend it wherever you’d like.
   
   It may already feel like you’ve spent an eternity in your home. If you’re feeling trapped, take a deep breath and focus on the brighter future that is coming.

We hope everyone reading this stays safe and healthy. Be kind to others and be kind to yourselves.

We’re sending everyone virtual hugs until it’s safe to hug IRL.