A Tip For Stress Relief While Social Distancing: The Importance of a Daily Schedule
This past weekend, when we realized that we would be home together as a family for a long long while, my kids asked for a schedule so they knew what they would be doing and what to expect. They have a schedule at school, and they like knowing what's coming next. My husband and I realized that we needed to make a schedule too, so we could figure out our work times and our family times.
Over the last few days, that schedule has now become such a stress reliever- not just for the kids but for me too. I know what I am doing hour by hour all day. And each hour, I am doing something different, which breaks up the boredom and keeps my mind focused and busy (and away from the panic inducing media obsession).
So- for those of you who aren’t using a schedule or a routine during this wide open time- I highly recommend it. Even (or especially) if you are home without kids to keep you busy. This social isolation will get long and boring, and routine and predictability can be a big stress reliever. This could go on for awhile and it's best to be prepared.
Here are my recommendations:
Set a specific wake-up time
Set a specific time for breakfast, getting dressed and morning chores.
If you are working, I recommend getting some morning movement happening before the work begins. I also recommend setting specific times for getting up and walking around and a longer break for going outside.
If you aren’t working, set up tasks, along with specific time frames, and what happens next. Schedule rest and breaks in there too.
Schedule a media break (especially before bed)
And set a regularly scheduled bedtime, doing some stretches to calm down before bed.
Additionally, it is essential to build exercise time into the day. Each day, I try to mix it up between doing something outside in nature and doing my Autoimmune Strong exercises inside on my mat. Because while being stuck at home it's really easy to get stuck on the couch, and it's essential that we keep our bodies moving and give our brains a break. Exercise is a great stress reliever. And getting outside right now is the only way out of the house for so many of us practicing social distancing.
And for those of you trying to do this while balancing work and kids? I feel you, it’s tough right now. It won’t look perfect (it certainly isn’t perfect in my house)- but I recommend picking out what you can from this list and trying to do something. And try to get your kids involved in the movement portion of the day, they need to move their bodies now more than ever. Mine give me a hard time each day about going outside- and then they love it.
Give a routine a try and tell me what you think. Good luck, stay safe and be well!