Quarantine Mode: Make it YOUR OWN.

PSA: YOU DON’T HAVE TO FILL YOUR QUARANTINE DAYS WITH HOURS UPON HOURS OF PRODUCTIVITY.

Hi! Liz here, HSH’s newest intern. As a team, we are seeing so much on social that is creating so many feelings of PRESSURE for our clients, friends, family and just in general. So we wanted to remind you today the importance of rest, slowing down and taking this time to heal whatever it is that needs to heal for you right now.

With that said, contrary to popular belief that your social media feeds may be telling you- it is TOTALLY okay to not reorganize every closet in your home, complete a thousand word puzzle or do an insanely sweaty workout every morning. In these unchartered waters we have found ourselves in- there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to quarantine- and it’s SO important to remind yourself of that.

While we know the importance of keeping a routine and getting ishhh done- we also know how incredibly powerful self-care is too. Of course, fueling your body and moving your body are essential to your health + acts of self care or taking care of yourself, but they are not the complete package of what it means to practice self-care.

So we decided to compile some of the ways we have found peace in the chaos and made quarantine a little more peaceful.

As a disclaimer we know this is coming from a place of privildege. We also know that as a parent right now some of this alone time you simply do not have. But keep reading we are confident there is something in here you may relate to.

Practice gratitude:

• I think now more than ever, we find ourselves on social media, scrolling through feed by feed, all of our favorite platforms. While it is SO important to stay connected during this time, without even realizing it we often compare ourselves and our quarantine experiences with others- AKA taking away from our own experience. Adopting a practice of gratitude allows us to recognize just how much we have in our lives- rather than looking at what we don’t. We love “The 6 Minute Gratitude Journal” as a template to take time every day to write down the people, things and parts of ourselves we are grateful for.

Adopt a routine for self care:

• Think about all the time you spend everyday expending your energy to others. Whether you’re a mom, a partner, a boss, a caretaker, an employee- you get the point- most of our days are spent giving our energy to others and not ourselves. Taking the smallest amount of time to take care of yourself within your day improves your mental health by giving you a break from the stress of everyday life as well as allowing time to just be completely alone. Often times, those who practice self-care also see benefits in their MOOD and overall mental CLARITY as well. For our own self-care practice, we love popping on a podcast (we recommend Drunk Dietitians ;) and going for a walk outdoors OR staying in with a face mask and our favorite Netflix show-essentially do whatever brings YOU the most joy.

Get creative:

• No, we don’t mean rearranging rooms or starting an elaborate home project (unless that’s your jam). But, you can try something fun and simple, like a new recipe you’ve been eyeing forever OR even play around with an eyeshadow palette and create a fun makeup look for the day.

• We love creating and playing around with recipes during this time (also we have been uploading a TON on the blog) and trying out new and different “Quarantini” cocktails, like Jenna’s lightened up aperol spritz from TikTok

• Being creative in the simplest ways creates FUN in your life, which we are all about, especially when it comes to food.

Put a stop time on scrolling:

• Take this one literally. Add a limit to your social media exposure and get hours of your life back. Try it.

Do NOTHING:

• As people who thrive on the go-go-go life, slowing down can be SO HARD. But sometimes it is the exact work we need the most.

• Meditation can be something that is REALLY CHALLENGING to do, literally ever, but right now the benefits can really pay off ten fold for you. Give this a try.

• If you are fortunate enough to have a choice right now, fill your time with as many or as few endeavors as you see fit. Remembering this is not the case for everyone reading this. But if you have the priviledge to binge Netflix read or simply just be in silence for a little while, IT IS OKAY to be GRATEFUL AND ENJOY THAT TIME. Just don’t take it for granted.

Too often we find that people are stressing about all they haven’t done yet and they completely miss what they have already accomplished. Change that conversation in your head during this time, apply the REFRAME.

No one is really saying this on social media, but take it from us, REST, is just as powerful as movement and allowing yourself to take it and as much of it as you need is a GIFT to give your body. Find the silver linings, journal, breathe, control only the controllables and continue to be grateful for what you have each day.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

To all our parents and caretakers, we know how something like a walk alone or any time alone for that matter, is nothing short of a luxury now more than ever. If you need any help right now, contact us we would love to support you in any ways we can.

And with that said, we are going to include some podcasts, books and shows we have been loving to maximize the time you DO have alone. A few mins at a time can make a difference.

 BOOKS WE LOVE….

•  Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

• The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner

 *Audiobooks are an AMAZING option too!

 PODCASTS WE LOVE….

• Jenna’s very own- DRUNK DIETITIANS!!!

• The Skinny Confidential: TSC Podcast, some to laugh some to inspire

• RISE Podcast by Rachel Hollis

SHOWS WE LOVE….

Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu

All-American on Netflix

Schitts Creek (TO LAUGH) on Netflix

McMillions on HBO

Here for you always!

XOXO,

Liz

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Hi! I’m Liz, Intern at HSH and I’m SO happy you’re here! I am a current nutrition student, food fanatic, fitness lover- and hopeful RD to be. I can’t wait to connect and share all things food, fitness and feeling great just as YOU are!

Learn more about me and the HSH offerings here.