However difficult these last few months have been, there is definitely so much I’ve discovered about myself and implementing these habits in my schedule has helped me cope so much. 

1. Exercise

I know this tip is a common one, but it’s so effective for being more productive throughout the day! Not only does it break up your work hours into more manageable blocks, exercising does wonders for your mental health. You never know, that rush of adrenaline and dopamine might be what you need to get out of your slump.

 Personally, I workout every day because I love fitness so much and I have certain goals I’m still looking to progress towards. Whether it’s going outside for a run, weightlifting in a home gym, or dancing to some good music, moving your body is a fun way to take care of yourself!

2. Listening to my Hunger Cues

While we’re all at home, it can be so easy to hang around the kitchen and graze at whatever catches our eye. Something I’ve learned to master is listening to my body and my hunger cues. 

This is very similar to intuitive eating. In a nutshell, intuitive eating means eating when I’m hungry and stopping when satiated. Eating intuitively also means that I can eat whatever my body is asking for. If I want a kale salad, I’ll eat a kale salad. If I want a Lindt Lindor, I’ll have one. By trusting my body to give me signals, I can fuel it with the nutrition it needs to function at its best. 

If this is something that is brand new to you, it will take some time and practice. I highly recommend to sit down for a meal with limited distractions and eat slowly, so you can really stay in tune with your hunger. This habit will truly make life so much easier by not having to ponder about your next meal too much because your body will be telling you.

3. Regular work and rest hours

For me, waking up early is crucial to feeling more productive throughout the entire day. It’s like a snowball effect. If I have a lazy morning, I’ll have a lazy day, which means the quality or enjoyment of what I do that day won’t be as optimal. I have regular work hours and meal times and by the end of the day, I’m tired and ready to have a good night’s rest. 

Honestly, that’s a personal choice. Whatever works for you, do it. Even if that means waking up at one in the afternoon. (which I would not be able to do) What this habit is implying, is consistency. We’ve heard it everywhere: consistency is key. And it can be applied to everyday as well. Now, I’m not saying everyday needs to be full-on copies of each other. I mean that having fairly consistent work times and times to unwind and relax. That way, each of those categories will get your undivided attention for an allotted time.

4. Journal

I’ve picked up journaling very recently myself. Something about writing down all your thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper without a filter gives a certain freedom that I think everyone should experience. 

Maybe you’ve had a bad day, or an extraordinary one that you never want to forget. I journal when I’m frustrated or when I’m hurting, and it alleviates the pain. I also use it to note my volleyball practices and any key advice given to me by my coaches. It’s a great tool to keep yourself accountable in reaching your goals. All in all, there’s no harm in trying it once and a while with no pressure to write at specific times.

5. Read a Good Book

This habit has been one of my saviors during quarantine. Immersing yourself in a story transports you to a completely different world that has nothing to do with the struggles in ours. Reading is one of my favourite ways to relax to forget about everything that’s happening in the world around us. I have several book recommendations that I’m thinking of sharing with another blog post, so stay tuned!

These are a few of the habits that I found most important during my quarantine, and some I’m still working on myself to ground as a habit. Remember, it takes thirty days to build a habit and consistency is key! The suffering of mental health is such a big side effect that has taken root during the pandemic. As long as we all find what helps us live our best lives, I believe we can make it through together.