Together the corona crisis can be better overcome

Mindful through the crisis – 10 simple tips

Suddenly the time has come: you are in your home office or on short-time work, the consequences of the corona crisis are making themselves felt. In addition, restaurants, cinemas, basically all public institutions are closed, where you usually like to spend your free time with loved ones. Society as we know it is taking a forced break.

Very few of us are prepared for so much free time in our own four walls. Where do you go when the ceiling falls on your head? How can you make sure that the permanent sitting together with family and flatmates does not become a powder keg?

World is temporarily closed, Corona

Social distancing and the new leisure time: The crisis as an opportunity

Why is mindfulness important in the current situation? Quite simply, it takes us further: almost 70% of those questioned in a study stated that in times of initial restrictions and social distancing they found more pleasure in simple things like going for a walk in nature. Pausing for a moment also gives all of us the chance for self-knowledge. With a distance to the daily stimulus satiation of everyday life, we now have the opportunity to think about previous decisions and perhaps to take new paths. [1]

But for profound insights, a suitable framework is needed. Here you can find out how you can create this framework with 10 simple tips and how you can manage your time at home in a fulfilling way.

Woman, meditation in crisis

Tip 1: Rise and shine – structure your everyday life

If you want to see the crisis as an opportunity, you must first make sure that you do not get lost in a diffuse daily rhythm. Even though sleeping late can be relaxing in the first few days, it will keep you out of step in the long run. Therefore, despite the fact that you may no longer be under any pressure, get up regularly at a fixed time and enjoy the morning. Take care of yourself, take off your pyjamas and give yourself the good feeling that the day has begun.

delicious breakfast

Tip 2: Fit through the day – eat well

Your diet has a demonstrable influence on your mood and, of course, that of other members of your household. Take the time to eat carefully, fresh and wholesome food. Try out a few new recipes, bake a cake or cook something healthy with your family. It’s fun, makes everyday life easier and makes you happy – and not just when you’re cooking.
Cooking together, healthy food in the pandemic

Tip 3: Care for balance – with sport and meditation for relaxation

Whether yoga, fitness workout or cycling, there is something wonderfully liberating about exercise. Power up with a round of sport. The happiness hormones that are released during exercise will help you to take the day in a relaxed manner. Do something good for your mind afterwards and treat yourself to a meditation to relax. If you don’t know how to do this, this article will give you simple instructions for getting started. Or use our app to listen to a free guided meditation that requires no prior knowledge.

Frau, Bewegung und Meditation

Tip 4: Digitally close – maintain your friendships

Social Distancing does not mean that you lose your social contacts, they just shift into another context. Whether by video chat, email or postcard: Be careful with your contacts, maintain them and let them take part in your everyday life. Why not enjoy an after-work beer in video chat or try an online game together?

Keeping in touch via social media, digital closeness

Tip 5: Your personal work – be creative every day

Painting, making music, drawing, writing, composing, designing or conceptualising … there are countless possibilities for creative work. Take the crisis as a chance to try yourself out creatively and take a little time every day to be creative. Such activities give you the feeling of creating something very special and therefore have a very fulfilling effect. Even small creative activities have a measurable effect on your well-being. [2]

Creativity, crisis

Tip 6: Culture does you good – also enjoy what others have created

There has never been such a rich selection of cultural assets as there is today. Let yourself be inspired and enjoy the concentrated knowledge and the creative flights of fancy of other people. Whether virtual museum visits or books, podcasts, films, series, radio plays or live streams – there are no limits to your imagination.

Woman reads, interest in culture

Tip 7: A contribution to the community – Help others around you

Is there anyone in your neighbourhood who could use help? Many people are dependent on others even without social distancing. Be attentive, ask and make your contribution. Whether it is help with shopping or a weekly phone call to keep you company: helping others makes you more active and makes you feel good. If you don’t know who to ask, you can look for help on neighbourhood portals, for example.

Boy helps old woman, solidarity

Tip 8: Pull together – introduce common rules

Always squatting against each other can create tension. While one person wants peace and quiet, the other would rather romp around the flat. Be fair and give room to different interests – at set times. In a family, for example, you can divide the day into active times and rest periods. This gives your children time to play, especially when they are also at home. At other times, however, you respect each other’s need for rest and time for yourselves. Fixed tasks can also provide a meaningful daily structure. In the evening on the couch you are all more balanced.

Mother with children, video call

Tip 9: Free yourself from ballast – muck out vigorously

Within your own four walls you are surrounded by things that make you happy – but certainly also by a lot of stuff that is just standing around in the way. Anyone who spends a lot of time at home will quickly notice how many things have accumulated over time and turn their own oasis into a confusing memory heap.

Muck out vigorously, free yourself from things that are just standing around and mean nothing to you anymore. Giving away, exchanging, selling – surely someone else will be happy about it. Afterwards, clean it up again and you’ll feel really good at home: studies have shown that less chaos in the house leads to less stress. [3] And who knows – maybe you’ll find the perfect scoop for the next rummage sale?

Man and woman cleaning room, get rid of old things

Tip 10: Positive Vibes – Keep a happy diary

Many people find it difficult to see the positive in the daily crisis news. With a diary you can remember that there are still many wonderful moments that enrich your life. Write down every evening how the day was for you. Of course you should not gloss over anything. But you should also consciously write down under a separate heading what was good that day and what you are grateful for. In this way, you will discover the beautiful sides of your life anew, attentively and effortlessly.

happy diary for positive vibes

Quellen

 

[1] Wieczorek, Patchara: Quarantäne als Selbstverlust oder -findung? Letzter Zugriff: 16.11.2020. Online.

[2] Heute schon gestrickt? Kreative Hobbys machen uns glücklich. In: Stern, 05.12.2016. Letzter Zugriff: 16.11.2020. Online.

[3] Hartmann, Corinna: Was Unordnung mit uns macht. In: Spektrum Psychologie, 3/2019 (Mai/Juni). Letzter Zugriff: 16.11.2020. Online.

Music influences our emotions in many fascinating ways. Learn more about the effect of sound here.
The text introduces you to the philosophy and meditation of Zen Buddhism and different aspects of Far Eastern spirituality.
When the Beatles travelled to India in 1968, they awakened widespread interest in Far Eastern philosophy and meditation in Western society for the first time.