Let’s be honest – being in quarantine is stressful. As much as we might like the sound of social isolation at times, it can take a serious toll on your mental health, energy level, and overall happiness in the long-run. Practicing these mindfulness exercises for stress relief during quarantine will help you maintain balance and good habits as we navigate this crisis together.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is self-driven. During mindfulness practices, individuals often look inwards at the present moment.
The goal of mindfulness is not to get “worked up” by our thoughts and surroundings, but rather to calmly and actively reflect on them.
Research shows that practicing and integrating mindfulness exercises into your routine positively impacts your mental health, influences your behavior, and even relieves stress. If you want to live a more balanced life, mindfulness is a great way to start.
Mindfulness Exercises for Stress Relief
Mindfulness relieves stress and makes it easy to get through the day, especially during times like these. We suggest that you try out these mindfulness exercises and see what works best for you and your routine. Chances are, you’ll like some of these exercises more than others – do what works best for you!
Set Daily Intentions
Begin each morning with the reading of a mindfulness quote. Feel free to get inspiration from Buddhi, Thich Nhat Hanh, and even Elephant Journal.
Think about what intentions you can set for the day. What small goals can you keep in mind? Do you want to be a better listener? More observant? To actively practice patience?
As stressors pop up throughout the day, revisit the quote, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of your intentions.
At the end of the day, right before bed, reflect on the day. Think about your “little wins” and how you can make tomorrow even better.
Sit for Meditation
When working from home, our professional and relaxation spaces blur, making it hard to achieve balance and to “turn off.”
Sitting in a designated space to practice meditative mindfulness is a great habit to get into, especially when practicing social isolation during quarantine.
Sit in a comfortable position. Allow yourself to relax with each breath. Your eyes will naturally close. Check-in with yourself by moving through your body. How do your toes, legs, and arms feel? Where are you carrying stress? Bringing these feelings to the surface can help you identify your needs.
Practice consistent and deep breaths. Naturally, you’ll know when it’s time to wrap up your meditative session.
Spend Time Outside
Research shows that feeling connected to nature increases happiness.
Just because we’re in quarantine doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to get some fresh air. Build breaks into your work schedule around opportunities to go outside. Walk your dog. Sit on the porch. Do a little yard work.
This new habit will become something you look forward to, plus, you’ll get a little Vitamin D.
Practicing Mindfulness
COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in our routines, and establishing new and healthy habits can help us create normalcy while also doing our part to practice social isolation.
Remember, practicing mindfulness shouldn’t feel like a chore. Mindfulness exercises look different for everyone, but the goal is the same: to find yourself more relaxed and present in your day-to-day life.
