Submitted by Julie McGrath

 

Feeling the funk? Yeah, us too. Between working from home and your daily schedule all out of whack, we all need a little help to get back on track. Here are a few quick and easy ways to help feel a little bit closer to normal.

  1. Get moving. I know this is easier said than done but start slowly and build up day by day or even week by week. Start off walking for 10 minutes outside. Outside will give you that vitamin D you need to feel those happy vibes. Moving your feet will get your blood flowing and will wake up your senses.

  1. Tidy up your space. Clutter is no one’s friend and while we all have our own versions of organized find yours and clear that clutter. Working from home or just being home more than usual, makes it easy to let things slide for “later.” Later turns into a pile of laundry, dishes, and more clutter and you and I both know you won’t want to deal with that later.

       3. Practice gratitude. It is easy right now to be really feeling all of the negative. Pay attention to all the good you have in your life. Write it down every morning. Be aware of these things in your life and be grateful for them. These things will keep you grounded and rooted in your world, not all the feelings around us.

       4. Make time for you. Yes, you might be at home more and feeling like you have more down time than usual, but you do not. Same work, just a different space. Go for a walk, watch the show, take a dip, stare at the stars, whatever it is that makes you happy and brings you joy for a few hours each week.

       5. Start a new routine. Many of us are adapting to a new normal and trying to find  our routines in the mix. With a new normal you need a new routine. Finding a new  routine will give you a new perspective on your day and how you handle your time.

Julie McGrath is an illustrator and college instructor from Boston, MA, living in Pensacola, FL. Check out her work on Instagram @drawpaintdesign.