Staying SANE during #SocialDistancing2020
With this “new” way of life thrust upon us, working from home and homeschooling our children, staying sane is a daily struggle. In a effort to keep my sh*t together, I created a simple 4 step method that integrates well with my daily life, to help me focus on my sanity.
The most important things to remember when trying to create balance and stay healthy are proper nutrition, hydration, getting good sleep, focusing on mindfulness and moving our bodies. These are all key to boosting and maintaining a healthy immune system AND these are all key to keeping it all together.
The S.A.N.E. Method goes perfectly with my 20X3 Method and my block scheduling to help me keep my sanity!
By intentionally focusing on The S.A.N.E. Method daily, I am able to calm my anxiety and keep my cool throughout the day. With the chaos of working from home, cooking all the meals, trying to stay on top of the never ending laundry and cleaning, I need to be intentional about my energy and keeping my sanity. Knowing what to focus my energy on has been helpful during quarantine.
Here is The S.A.N.E. Method broken down:
S is for SLEEP!
Good sleep is underestimated.
I don’t think people realize how important sleep is for our overall body function.
Lack of sleep affects our minds, our body and our emotional health too.
Sleep is crucial to overall health and wellness and sanity!
Tips to get good sleep:
- Slow down and create a relaxing environment before bed
- Do not watch TV right before bed b/c it stimulates brain activity
- Do not eat within 3 hours of going to be b/c your body is using all it’s energy to digest that food
A is for ACKNOWLEDGE!
Acknowledge your feelings.
When I am getting annoyed, stressed, aggravated, mad ::insert EVERY emotion here:: I have to stop and acknowledge how I am feeling. I need to take a deep breath (or several) and focus on why I am feeling this way. That small pause is an interruption to the flow of the feeling and then I am able to move on.
Acknowledging the feeling in that exact moment helps me deal with it and move on from it instead of staying in that emotion and letting it build.
When my anxiety starts to creep up, there is a physical reaction that my body has to it. I have started to be acutely aware of these signals that my body throws at me and now I am able to acknowledge that anxiety is coming in strong. By acknowledging it, I am able to deal with it right away. This is an evolving process for me….and I am not 100% yet.
“Progress not perfection”
N is for NOURISH!
Eating more plants (we are plant-based so all we eat is plants) and drinking the proper amount of water will help your body flourish.
Plants are LOADED with:
- vitamins
- minerals
- fiber
- protein
- antioxidants
- immune boosting power.
Best thing to do is eat the rainbow. Try to get an assortment of colors into your diet everyday.
Staying hydrated helps our bodies naturally eliminate toxins that may cause illness, and it carries oxygen to our cells.
Remember 8X8 (8 ounces, 8 times a day)
E is for ENGAGE!
Engage in daily exercises for the mind, body and soul.
This is where the 20X3 Method comes into play.
20 minutes for mind
Decompressing and finding a way to manage stress is essential to keeping your sanity. When you are in a constant state of stress, your body is more prone to illness.
Things you can do for your mind:
- Read
- Journal
- Meditate
- Go for a walk
- Practice Yoga
20 minutes for body
We all should be avoiding the gym right now, but we can get moving at home.
Things you can try for your body:
- Walk
- Run
- Yoga
- Swim
- Stretch
- HIIT
- Tabata
20 minutes for soul
Making time to connect spiritually is soothing for our minds and fills our soul.
Things you can do to connect spiritually:
- Pray
- Meditate
- Read the Bible
- Focus on breathing
I hope The S.A.N.E. Method helps you in this “new normal”. If you try it, let me know.
To your wellness,
Eryn
Follow Along:
