Karen's 10 Sanity Savers to Cope During Times of Uncertainty

This post started out as a journal entry and then a thought popped in my head to make it a blog post. Sharing is caring, so here we go.

1. Music. Music makes me happy. Music is calming. I've concluded I need it constantly. I invested in a pair of Bluetooth Clip-on earbuds. #Gamechanger My music, all the time, and not bothering anyone. Wear one and not two should you need to converse with someone.

2. Go outside. We are not on lockdown (Baruch Hashem/ thank G-d) and able to go out unlike half a decade ago. NOW ISN'T THEN! Yes, while staying near a protected space is the directive, one doesn't need to be in one unless told to do so. Get outside. Go for a walk even if you're pacing between two buildings.

3. Track your calories. This one may seem a bit out of place. While not per se needing to track calories, write down what you eat so you are mindful of what's going in your mouth. If you're emotional eating the probability of weight gain is possible. I am not a nutritionist, dietician, or other health practitioner and not dispersing medical advice. It's fact that if you aren't burning off the calories you put in, they will stick.

I've been following the AIP/paleo-ish food plan to reduce inflammation so I've worked so hard to eat clean meals, no gluten or dairy, or sugar that I'm not going to undo all my hard work. Food for comfort will mess up everything I've been working on. If I have an "emergency chocolate" I know that 300 calories plus sugar content in that little bar may set me back on my healthgoals.

4. Balanced meals. On AIP I've been quite strict on sticking to permitted foods which include protein and healthy healthy fats. No, I don't feel limited or bored or hungry between meals. I'm energetic, not having joint and muscle aches, and have lost that pregnant look caused from bloating. Point being, all the snack foods even "healthy" one have added sugar can make me feel icky and I ain't got no time to feel icky.

5. Exercise. I've gotten into using dumbells. I also like dance. I've curated some favorite videos on YouTube. Some may be ten minutes long and that's better than sitting on my derriere doomscrolling.

6. Find your favorites. Favorite books. Favorite music. Favorite games to play. Etc. Find your kids' favorites as well. While my child may want Monopoly, my headspace is Uno or Othello. Since we've mutually agreed to Uno, we play.

7. Keep routines and keep the house clean. A sink full of dishes to wash is depressing. A messy house is overwhelming and depressing. I'm not referring to clutter...we'll hold off on that aspect. Just keep up with daily maintenance.

   
   

8. No news. I'm not a news junkie. While I do want to be informed, if something is a need-to-know tidbit, it will Come my way.

9. Learn some Torah. Say a favorite tehillim. I get a daily whatsapp from Torah Anytime and from Shimirat HaLashon Yomi. In total, that may be ten minutes but it's powerful.

10. Notice all the chessed around you. There is so much good happening despite the uncertainty. Focus on that.

KAREN, THE KLUTTERKOACH