M.U.S.T.E.R to hold it together!
Now, more than ever, pull through the pandemic with 6 tools!
Wellbeing, wellness lifestyle, wholesome living, (I’m certain you can come up with 5 more terms) were hot topics up until Covid-19, social distancing, #flattenthecurve arrived and stole the limelight. Yes, we are self-isolating, which is crucial, but it might come at the significant expense of negatively impacting our overall wellbeing in the process.
For those who have read my “Go F.I.S.H-An outsider networking inside the Big Apple” article know that I appreciate mingling with new groups and networking, a quality that IESE Business School engrained in me. And, those who also read my “Grateful I didn’t take NYC for granted” piece know how much I love getting out, exploring the city and finding unique experiences. Alas, unprecedented times call for drastic measures and here we are — left with no option but to muster the courage to face this crisis, now more than ever.
I strongly believe that we are all moulded with innate tools that we can string together in pressing times, such as now. So, I rounded up six facets that were core values incorporated into my life growing up. I fell back on these beliefs to confront this daunting path of indefinite isolation. Undeniably, I haven’t applied these practices to resolve a crisis before — hell, nobody has the perfect ingredients to remedy such times — that’s why it’s called a crisis. But, I do hope that these measures galvanise your efforts to get through this pandemic!
1. Move: It is no surprise that most self-help and self-improvement tools lay much emphasis on exercise — after all, it is the one thing that begins and ends with a crystal clear focus on you. Fortunately, exercise was a norm I grew up with, seeing both my parents’ outright dedication to clocking in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Whether it was preparing for the wretched GMAT (which I loathed from the bottom of my heart) or appearing for job interviews, I’d often find myself having sleepless nights, where I’d go into a downward spiral, overthinking and analyzing possible worse case scenarios, all in vain. Nowadays, a cough, sore throat, or body ache triggers the same trepidation in me!
Consequently, I continued to focus on exercise more so as a sweet escape from reality which not only made me feel a lot more rejuvenated but also eased falling asleep at night. Truly, there is almost nothing that a short quick exercise can’t make better, even if only a bit better. Yeah, some of us may prefer an outdoor running-group, Soul Cycle classes, a hot Yoga session — but, those were pre-pandemic times! Yet, kudos to technology, we have ample resources available online, such as fitness micro-influencers on Instagram/YouTube; free workout apps that offer downloadable WODs, or Live online dance and yoga sessions. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to cut off from work, get out of PJs, and workout using your water bottle as weights or your couch for bench presses!
2. Unplug: What I call ‘modern pandemic living’ is about constantly staying connected with the Coronavirus TV show (that none of us subscribed to) through COVID memes, news updates, incessant notifications and more.
Again, looking back, at my household a non-negotiable rule was “No TV at meal-time”. Honestly, it didn’t make much sense to me back then. My friends didn’t have any such rules to abide by and it seemed unfair that I didn’t get to watch Willy Wonka or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang during meal-time. Yet, it taught me how to unplug and remove ‘distractions’ from what required my attention more — like now — family, friends, work, sleep, etc.
So, I apply the same rule of unplugging from the Coronavirus TV show today. Not just at meal-time, but for the most part of the day. Importantly, I seek only 3–5 credible sources such as John Hopkins, World Health Organization, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and New York State Department of Health. I check COVID updates once in the morning, once in the evening, and occasionally before bedtime. Further, I seek Live Instagram sessions of meditation, that for sure lend a helping hand to those of us struggling to find some peace in this silent storm. Now, more than ever, don’t underestimate and underutilize the online resources you have to unwind and decompress.
3. Stimulate: I didn’t grow up in a world where social media was ubiquitous, as it is today. How weird (or not) would it have been to see my parents constantly scrolling Instagram and posting stories each time they had a fleeting moment?! Nope, I usually saw them both nose deep into a book on a lazy Sunday afternoon, before bedtime or on a plane ride. With this isolation in place, instead of waiting to tire of social media (or Netflix), let’s put this crisis to use. We’re in an undetermined global lockdown so we may as well make the most of it.
Truth be told, I was never an avid reader but, over the years I grew more and more eager to debunk reading’s connotation with boring. Now, I consciously dedicate 20 minutes before bedtime to sip a hot cup of tea, play some light music (current favorite is The Lounge — Apple Music Electronic), and read (currently reading The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer). Let’s be clear, I don’t just read every time I am bored in this lockdown — that’s only one resource. But, I do strive to do whatever it takes to stay positive and productive until we get out of this!
Other things on my list: join online webinars through Eventbrite and open-access resources offered by IESE B-school, continue a blog I’ve procrastinated on, start a DIY project with my collection of wine corks, learn how to create my own app, and, of course, an experiment in the kitchen while listening to interesting podcasts (hooked to Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, Inside Trader Joe’s and Planet Money by NPR at the moment). Now, more than ever, stimulate your mind by joining a Masterclass to learn something, working on a side hustle, solving a 1000+ piece puzzle (mind you, they can get frustrating), writing poetry, brewing kombucha, getting x certified and what not!
4. Telecommunicate: I grew up in a close-knit family, where we were highly encouraged to communicate with one another and spur up conversations and exchange stories about our day, no matter how mundane some days were. Evenings at home usually comprised of my dad turning on some jazz or old-school Bollywood music while all of us lounged in the living room and chatted, often deep into the night.
Especially nowadays, I rely on this safe space to connect with my loved ones and check in on them. Even across time zones, a quick phone call, a thoughtful text, or a group hangout can really take us all a long, long way!! Moreover, unknowingly, you may boost someone’s morale by being a listener and hearing their stories, or expressing your own anxieties about the crisis, or simply hanging out with them whilst listening to music and sipping wine. Give Houseparty a try and play games together online.
For once, let’s use the internet the way it was actually meant to be used — to connect with one another. Now, more than ever.
5. Energise: One of the many perks of growing up in a Punjabi (belonging or relating to the north-western state of Punjab in India) family was the special emphasis that was laid on food — sometimes too much emphasis. Yet, like in other things, moderation is key to a balanced diet. So while we did indulge in parathas (wholewheat flatbread stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes) mostly on Sundays, we continuously focus on inculcating a healthy eating mindset all-week round. And, while eating out wasn’t rare, we preferred to eat out on weekends or special occasions. Moreover, over the years, my personal journey towards accomplishing a healthier lifestyle further fuelled the importance of eating nutrient-dense home-cooked meals.
Importantly, certain herbs and spices that are considered “functional foods” are native to India, and are a staple in my kitchen even today. A lot of these ingredients traveled and marked their presence across the globe in the form of Ayurveda. For instance, back home, a spoonful of turmeric, honey, and ginger juice paste was a go-to remedy for fighting a cough or sore throat because of its pure anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. Today, the power of turmeric has largely been recognized as we see turmeric pills and Golden Lattes revolutionizing the wellness industry in the west.
Honestly, I am no health expert so I reached out to my good friend, Karena Adnani, a certified nutritionist in Mumbai, India, for a deep dive into her views on a Pandemic Pantry that goes beyond Vitamin C for immune boosting. Disclaimer: No, these foods won’t shield you from the virus; social distancing and sanitizing is still much needed. Here is a detailed list of shelf-stable essentials and healthy snacks she recommends. Some of these include whole grains like oats and quinoa for Vitamin B; lentils, beans, and chickpeas for protein and zinc to help regulate immune function; yogurt as a probiotic to support gut health; chia and flax seeds for omega-3; nuts, nut butters and nut milk for Vitamin E; and, lastly, peas, green beans and carrots that can be frozen without losing much of their nutrient content. Now, more than ever, let’s protect and enhance our immunity.
6. Recognize: Inspired by my mother who volunteers at Aseema, a non-profit school, and my sister, Sakshi who mentored girls at AAWC, an anti-trafficking organization, I joined the Grinnell College Prison Program and volunteered to teach mathematics to incarcerated men at the Newton Correctional facility in Iowa. Later, I plunged into the non-profit world and spent 3 years as a full-time fundraiser for The Akanksha Foundation in Mumbai, India. It is these roles that made me recognize the strength of collective action and the importance of gratitude.
Case in point, let’s collectively not hoard items and recognize the frontline staff that works tirelessly to ensure grocery shelves are replenished. There is no dearth of supply, but logistics will be choked if we continue to hoard. Let’s collectively stay in and recognize the brave front health care workers are putting up for our wellbeing — yes, let’s pause and clap for them!! Let’s collectively do our bit to uplift a corner store or bodega; if possible, donate to organizations providing meals to people in need, such as, World Central Kitchen or City Harvest; promote and share local donation opportunities; and if nothing at all, let’s ensure credible knowledge and resources are circulated; and, most importantly let’s inspire each other with ways in which we are coping with the crisis. A pandemic that leaves us in isolation shouldn’t stop us from coming together for the larger good!
Lastly, since you can’t and really shouldn’t go out (if you can), go within! Don’t fail to recognize all those things that you unwittingly didn’t pay attention to before. I, for one, have begun to incorporate 5 minutes, first thing in the morning and last thing before bed, to think about all the things I am grateful for. Big or small. The healthcare workers on the frontline. A laughter-filled call with friends! A good online workout. A perfect throwback playlist! Basically, anything and everything that is upholding my sanity through these testing times, now, more than ever.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
I dare not claim I am even close to nailing this isolation! Nor do I live in a utopian world where I accomplish all these 6 goals day after day. After all, we’re simply humans predisposed with shortcomings — but muster to hold it together, especially, for loved ones that bank on you now, more than ever!
And remember, this too shall pass…!!! Until then, take one day at a time.
Covid diaries written with love from afar in Long Island City, NY
