10 Things to Do Right Now to Remain Sane While Quarantined

I am a guy in the self-care space and I wrote a book called The Intentional Caregiver, which in large part is about self-care. And even though I wrote the book on self-care, I still find it hard to focus on taking care of myself.

Well, if there was ever a time that self-care was needed, it is now.

As we all hunker down during this time of COVID-19 crisis, I believe that how you decide to be with this time in your life right now will create your future.

To keep myself centered and moving forward, here’s what I’m working on each day:

My five “BEING” focuses:

1. BE PATIENT
Be patient with loved ones. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with your politicians. When we are patient we’re actually slowing down, and as a planet we’ve been needing to do this for a long time. Who said that faster was better?

2. BE COMPASSIONATE
It’s obvious to say be compassionate during these times, but when we get scared we forget to be curious about other people. We forget to find out what they need because the survival mechanism kicks in. Just be aware that our own fear can get in the way of this one.

3. BE GENEROUS
Nobody did anything wrong that had this happen, therefore we have to forgive each other. Perhaps we have to forgive each other for some debt for awhile. We have to be generous with our payments with each other. Be generous with your heart and your deeds. Be generous with your choices.

4. BE GRATEFUL
In the midst of tragedy and crisis sometimes this one is hard to remember. Look around, what do you notice? You’ve got your feet on the ground and a roof over your head. You’ve got food on the table for now. Gratitude happens in the now. Remember throughout your day to be grateful for what’s happening now.

5. BE FASCINATED
Probably the hardest one to get our heads around is to be curious about this, to be fascinated about this. What I believe is that we need to be creative and to come up with solutions on how to do our lives now. The doorway to creativity is fascination. You have to be fascinated by something to be creative.

My five “DOING” focuses:

1. READ AND/OR WRITE
Is there a book that you’ve wanted to read ? Is there a book you’ve wanted to write? Now is the time.

2. LEARN A NEW SKILL
My wife Karen is a photographer and she is learning the skill of taking better pictures of flowers and she is taking an online class.

3. GET IN THE BEST SHAPE YOU’VE EVER BEEN IN
There’s no excuse now because we have all the time in the world. Here what I am doing everyday as best as I possible can. My gym is closed but they are offering an online glass which I am taking,

4. DO A DAILY GROUNDING PRACTICE
For me I have just starting using essential oils in a diffuser and night which helps me sleep better. I am also using them when I drink water.

5. BE OF SERVICE
There are two parts to this. There is being of service inside the home and being in service outside the home when I can’t go out. In my home, I am being of service as a caregiver to my wife. Outside my home, I am being of service by connecting to others by phoning friends and family or going online and attending virtual gatherings. When we’re grounded, creative, and we’re of service, at the end of the everyday we goto bed and we feel good about ourselves. Isn’t that ultimate goal of what true desire and what fulfillment means?

One of my most favorite tips that I share in The Intentional Caregiver is to enjoy the simple pleasures in your home. Is there not a more perfect time to do that?

Remember, how you be, and what you do, will create your future.

Love,
Geoff