Staying Positive during a pandemic
I thought to bring some cheer into your homes at these very trying times. My belief is usually to try to look for the silver lining in everything. You know, try to search for that one good thing in every situation. We are currently living through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. So, in my regular fashion, I wrote down my thoughts on staying positive during a pandemic.
I don’t think I have actually ever seen the world go into such melt down since I was born. We have had some pretty big catastrophes in the world but I feel like we have always had hope. Everything currently seems hopeless. Plans are being cancelled, life is on pause and the daily emanating news is frightening.
I was really inspired to write this post after I saw the videos of the Italians and Spaniards. Italy and Spain are some of the worst hit countries. However, they have chosen to be united in the isolation. They have taken to their little balconies to sing at different times of the day. It has been so heartwarming and magical to watch and reminds me of why I love life so much. This has given me joy to see human beings so resilient and united in the face of uncertainty.
Since we have been told that this pandemic is not letting down anytime soon, how can we stay positive?
1. Get up and Dance
The power of music is so enchanting! Dedicate 30mins to an hour a day, find a tune you like and have a dance party or karaoke! Trust me, this is so much fun to do! I saw on the news that Cold Play and John Legend are live streaming performances from their houses. Find their handles and join the fun session. If you are like me, you can have your own party in your living room with your family. Pharrell’s “Happy” can be your starting point and end the session with Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”.
2. Plan ahead
This applies to travel and life in general. I know a lot of people have had to cancel their travel plans. Weddings have been cancelled, concerts are being postponed and all that sad stuff. What do you do to stay positive? First things first, you are well. Be thankful for that. Ok now that’s out of the way, start planning a trip (or trips). Hear me out. This is the time to research and pin those inspiration boards for the trip you WILL eventually take. It is not cancelled forever. Travel (& Life) will be there when the pandemic is defeated so you need to be ready!
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3. Stay in contact with your happy people
We are social distancing physically. But thanks to technology, we can still keep in touch with our nearest and dearest. Those friends and family who you probably haven’t had time to be in contact with? Text and facetime them now. That person who you could spend hours with chatting on the phone? Drop a “free to chat?” message. This is the period you intentionally surround yourself with those happy and uplifting people. The ones who make you laugh from your belly, yes, those ones!
4. Limit Social Media
On the back of contacting your happy people, it has led me to the next one. Cut down the negative noises. Restrict what you consume mentally. It is very important that we know the facts of the coronavirus epidemic. However, we need to be careful with where the message is coming from. Twitter and Instagram are my favourite apps but honestly, they can get a bit too much in times like this. Personally, I made the decision to go off both platforms about 2 weeks ago just to protect my mental health. It means I have been able to limit how many times I can view and hear about the pandemic. I have control over this now.
PS – you do not need to log off both platforms like I did. However, you can mute or block some handles or words. Just think of whatever will work for you and your mental health.
Related – 12 ways to invest in yourself
5. Home Exercise
Social Distancing means that going to the gym is not advisable at the moment. The sad thing is that the gym is a lot of people’s happy space, which helps with a positive mental space. So when you are unable to go to the gym, how can you stay positive? Enter YouTube exercises! Thanks to technology, there are so many workout videos tailored to help with movement at home. Currently, I use the Results Wellness Lifestyle (RWL)
(I follow the free classes on RWL Instagram via a temp Instagram page I set up since I temporarily shut mine down). Exercises put you in a much more positive mood so try it!
6. Start Something
Read a book. Start a series. Write a story. Anything that makes you happy, get into it! We don’t really know how long this will last so why spend time worrying? I started Gossip Girl again LOL. Mr E and I started watching El Chapo. Both Gossip Girl and El Chapo are on Netflix. I am also reading Chimamanda’s Half of a Yellow Sun again. Open a Pinterest account and get inspiration for whatever you are interested in. Update your blogs and if you are feeling more inspired, write new ones.
7. Take Walks
Social distancing means that we cannot do those social things we love. We cannot brunch, we cannot go to the pub and nights out are cancelled. So how can we let out social steam? Get out for some fresh air. I understand that some countries are on strict lock down so perhaps; you can walk around your garden. Walk on your street, walk on your balcony, walk wherever as long as there is fresh air.
8. Prepare yourself
We are in uncertain times, no doubt. One way to stay positive during a pandemic is to prepare yourself for the future. Face it fully and control your narrative. There is a possibility that there could be a recession. There is also a possibility of things going back to normal (I doubt this). However, I think if you are able to lay your cards i.e finances on the table, you can feel more in control of the situation.
9. Just Relax
I know this is easier said than done but it is important to relax. Light a candle. Catch up on sleep. Drink a little wine. Bake a cake. Eat a little cake. Have a lot of sex with your partner. Lean in for kisses and cuddles. Listen in silence to the rain. Watch the sunset from your window or balcony. Laugh a lot.
You need to remember that just like every other terrible thing that has happened in the world, this too shall pass!
Related – Appreciating the little things
10. Deep Clean!
When last did you deep clean your house? I don’t mean just wiping off surfaces or hoovering visible spaces. I mean a proper deep clean? Aha..now is the time to do this. Start with finding the perfect cleaning music playlist and put it on blast. Ok, not too loudly because your neighbours are home as well lol. Now, bring out your bleach, anti-bacterial cleaners, pop your cleaning gloves on and get your clean on. You will feel sooooo good once you’re done and your house is clean.
Rounding up….
I know that staying positive during a pandemic is not the easiest or most natural thing. But something I have learnt is that the mind is a very powerful tool. We cannot control what is happening in the world now but we can control what to do with the information. While we wait for it to pass, our mindset will determine how the situation will affect our wellbeing in general.
Just a reminder – We have been warned to stay away from pubs, restaurants, clubs etc. Schools are closing and now, most offices are working from home. This tells us the severity of the situation even though we are staying calm. Therefore, please respect this order and stay away from crowded places. All those social things will be there when coronavirus goes away.
Let’s stay safe, responsible and kind.
Bisous, ‘Bugo x
Pictures were taken at a wedding in The Hylands House, Essex.
26 Comments
Bunmi
You had me with the first one! Get up and dance. Thank you for sharing these practical things to do
Bugo
You’re welcome Bunmi. I’m glad you find them somewhat useful!! And I hope you’re keeping safe.
Thank you for reading and leaving a lovely comment x
Halima
Some great much needed advice!
Bugo
thank you for reading Halima x
Melissa Kimmy
Great advice! Love your pictures🙂
Bugo
Thank you Melissa x
Sharib Saba
This was such a good read this morning! Although we are trying to do most of the things above! It feels nice to know that we are all in this together, feeling the same exact emotions, doing the same exact things, if anything its definitely made us realize that we are all the same, whether its those emotions, skills, habits that we are experiencing every single day. Thanks babe for this beautiful post!
Bugo
We really are. Life won’t be the same even after this pandemic is over so might as well figure out the best ways to deal with it.
Thank you so much for reading x
kerry
Ohhhh I am all for a positive vibe. I agree with you a million percent about looking for that silver lining. It is such scary times, but as they say, worry steals todays joy. I am so with you on the kitchen party. I make myself get up from my desk, whack on a song and have a little boogey for 10 minutes, at least every 2 hours. It lifts my spirits and gets me moving!
Bugo
haha! I’m so excited for the long bank holiday weekend and I’m not even sure why. Not like we’ll be going out but I suspect Andrea Bocelli streaming live from the Duomo on Easter Sunday is giving me the extra positive vibes I need!
Yes to dancing!! Definitely the best thing to do in these crazy times.
Thanks for stopping by as always xx
Segi
Love this and much needed especially as we are about to begin our own lockdown 😩
Bugo
Segsta!!! I’m glad it could be of use.
thank you so much for reading baby girl x
Ochez
I had a very calm read while going through this post. And while the pandemonium is still on, I’m learning to relax, be at peace with self, take walks and have fun with the ones I love. Thank you Bugo! 🙂
Bugo
awww I’m glad Ochez!
I’m learning to relax and be at peace as well, so difficult.
You’re welcome and thank YOU for reading my lovely x
Damilola
Hi Bugo,
Thanks for sharing. It feels really good to read this post. I feel like I haven’t heard from you in forever ( but that makes more sense now, reading that you have temporarily shut down yours).
Hope you are good. Stay safe out there x
Bugo
hey Damilola! i’m good, just staying away for a few weeks. I’ll be back there soon!
I’m glad you felt good reading it, that was my aim lol
Thank you for reading and Stay safe as well x
danna
I am definitely going to dance and dance as much as i can this period. Be intentional about finding the good in having my toddlers home with me cooped up and restless *tears and laughter*
Bugo
that’s the spirit, Danna!
It’s so easy to sink so being intentional about finding the good is the best thing to do.
x
Nneka Obi
Thank you, I needed to read this <3
Bugo
I’m glad my lovely! x
L - Franglais27
I agree that dancing has been so uplifting during these times and there are dance classes by Debbie Allen and the ballet companies to help us through these times. It will be difficult adjusting to a new normal but hopefully we can find ways to stay happy and to look after our mental health, whilst recognising that it’s fine to feel anxious as we are in the midst of a pandemic. Fresh air seems to work wonders too!
Bugo
oooh Debbie always teaches dance classes. I will check her out actually.
I’ve just been freestlying my dance routines tbh lol
Yes, to fresh air! I am getting quite lazy though, I’m not walking as much as I’d love to but hopefully, this weekend I can get some miles in when I’m out for my daily walk.
I hope you are keeping safe and thank you for reading x
Charlotte
I needed this Bugo! Sending you love <3
Bugo
awww my lovely Char! I hope you and your family are keeping well. sending you lots and lots of love too. Kisses!!!
Rumz
Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait for this phase to be over and I’m glad I’ve got some ideas from here that can whilst time passes keep safe x
Bugo
my baby girl! Me too.
However I’m thankful that I’m ok and my family is healthy. This will pass eventually and life will go on as usual. Stay safe Rumz x