Mindfulness in the midst of a Pandemic
Hey you,
You’re going to be okay, we’re going to be okay.
We’re not just all on an extended spring break with our good snacks for the next couple of weeks. We’re all inside our homes because of a global pandemic that’s actually very scary. So if your productivity isn’t where it typically is our you can’t just throw yourself into all of the projects you thought you’d have time to do right now, it’s totally okay.
I’m sure you’re wondering how to relax in the middle of a pandemic - I got you! Just keep reading…
I’ve started watching the new Netflix series, ‘Self Made’ highlighting the life of Madame C.J. Walker! I definitely recommend checking it out and I’ve included more to check out released on Netflix this month as well:
Netflix
Self Made: Inspired by The Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Limited Series) N – Octavia Spencer jumps into the role of the historic figure, Madam C.J. Walker.
Outbreak (1995) – Timely movie about Dustin Hoffman’s struggling to contain an outbreak of a virus spreading through California.
Lost Girls (2020) N – Mystery thriller about a women’s daughter disappearing but after the police fail her, she tries to find an answer on our own.
Freshman Year (2019) – Journey of two young people heading off to college. Heartfelt drama.
All About Love (2017) – African movie about a love triangle.
Spenser Confidential (2020) N – Mark Wahlberg action movie about an ex-felon going back to his roots in Boston’s criminal underworld.
Last Ferry (2019) – Thriller about a young lawyer who travels to Fire Island and gets involved in a sick and twisted murder plot.
Hulu is dropping gems this month as well! I’ve been on a countdown for the release of ‘Little Fires’ featuring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon (MUST WATCH).
Hulu
Little Fires
Parks and recreation
Abduction (2011)
Hello I Must Be Going (2012)
4 Lovers (2013)
And if you’re looking to get your mind off things outside of screen time, meditation is key!
Meditation
There’s no shortage of mindfulness and meditation apps these days, promising to help you combat anxiety, sleep better, hone your focus, and more.
Mindfulness apps are trending in a big way. I’ve included 5 below for you to find the best one for you, AND they’re FREE:
How to Do MEDITATE Daily
There are lots and lots of ways to meditate. But the concern is not to find a perfect form of meditation — it’s to form the daily habit of meditation. And so I’ve included a pretty simple method:
1. Commit to just 2 minutes a day. Start simply if you want the habit to stick. You can do it for 5 minutes if you feel good about it, but all you’re committing to is 2 minutes each day.
2. Pick a time and trigger. Not an exact time of day, but a general time, like morning when you wake up, or during your lunch hour.
3. Find a quiet spot. Sometimes early morning is best, before others in your house might be awake and making lots of noise. O
4. Sit comfortably. Don’t fuss too much about how you sit, what you wear, what you sit on, etc. I personally like to sit on a pillow on the floor, with my back leaning against a wall, because I’m very inflexible. Others who can sit cross-legged comfortably might do that instead.
5. Start with just 2 minutes. This is really important. Most people will think they can meditate for 15-30 minutes, and they can. But this is not a test of how strong you are at staying in meditation — we are trying to form a longer-lasting habit.
6. Focus on your breath. As you breathe in, follow your breath in through your nostrils, then into your throat, then into your lungs and belly. Sit straight, keep your eyes open but looking at the ground and with a soft focus. If you want to close your eyes, that’s fine. As you breathe out, follow your breath out back into the world.
And that’s it. It’s a very simple practice, but you want to do it for 2 minutes, every day, after the same trigger each day. Do this for a month and you’ll have a daily meditation habit.
I hope you’ve found something here to assist you with your time at home!
Catch ya on the flip side,
A G E