Hiking in the Foothills + More Coping Mechanisms
Kicking off another weekend of staying at home by sharing photos from a recent hike plus my coping mechanisms during stressful events, and in particular, this pandemic. If I’m not careful, I can find myself endlessly scrolling through social media and spiraling as each new tweet is posted in real time. These are the things I do to get my mind off of the news and, frankly, keep my sanity.
Practice gratitude / I take moments to remind myself how grateful I am that I can work from home, that Korri can (partially) work from home, and that my family and friends are okay as of right now. I remind myself to give thanks to the true heroes: the grocery store employees, the food service employees, the janitors/cleaning crews, the healthcare workers.
Watch mindless TV shows / I’m particularly fond of Vanderpump Rules (Bravo), 90 Day Fiancé (TLC), and reruns of Friends (Nickelodeon) at the moment.
Read / I actually don’t read much, but I’m trying to get back into it as a way to get off my phone or computer and enjoy some quiet time (plus I have a ton of books I purchased prior to our trip to the Cook Islands that I haven’t gotten around to reading!).
Work out / I go through phases of working out consistently and then not working out at all. Now that I’m working from home and saving myself 30-40 minutes every day by not commuting to the office, I’m trying to get into a workout routine. Right now, I’m aiming for four days a week (every day except Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, which are my blogging days).
Clean/organize / When I have the motivation, I keep myself busy by cleaning and tidying up the house and doing extra little projects that I’ve been putting off. This also includes cleaning out and organizing digital files on my computer and phone, i.e. old documents and photos.
Getting fresh air / Taking walks around the neighborhood (luckily the river is in our backyard)—with or without the cats—and going for hikes in the foothills nearby does wonders for my mind! Korri and I went on a hike in the foothills on a beautiful day last weekend and saw a number of deer (and only a small number of humans). My legs have been sore all week from it, haha! Boise has an expansive Ridge to Rivers trail system that allows for plenty of social/physical distancing from others and that offers beautiful views of the Treasure Valley.
Blogging / Having this outlet really does help, even if all I’ve written about this week is the pandemic. It’s been a part of my routine for over six years now, and keeping up with it is providing a feeling of normalcy.
Help others / If nothing else, it helps me feel better when I am able to support those in need. Donate to national or local organizations, such as your local food bank, homeless shelter, and animal shelter. Purchase food to-go or delivery from your favorite local restaurants and/or gift cards to use later. Support your favorite small businesses. STAY HOME. (Remember, staying home is the best thing you can do to slow the spread and help our healthcare workers!)
What are some of your coping mechanisms during this (or any) uncertain time? Wishing you a happy and healthy weekend!