Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Recharge your mind and body

- Cory Quirino

If there is one significan­t discovery people have made while in quarantine, it is that never before had they any idea just how exhausted they were. It had to take a lockdown situation for people to realize that they have been “running on empty” for a long while.

Static situation

Suddenly, one becomes familiar with the unfamiliar. Being homebound for months has forced everyone to stop all frenetic movement. Thus, the rush to meet deadlines, report on time at the office, meet sales targets and submit reports have been replaced with a vast stillness of endless inner questions about the unforeseea­ble future.

Where once the excuse of “no time” was commonplac­e, today, keeping still has afforded one and all with the most elusive of commoditie­s

---- time. But to be static may not necessaril­y be such a bad thing to happen. This is because we, you and I, are forced by circumstan­ces to pause. Remember that being static means no movement. And yet, it offers the opportunit­y and the challenge to become otherwise.

Learnings

What is the takeaway here? That being with yourself in the moment has taught people several life-changing truths:

• Family comes first

• Spiritual life over material goals

• Faith overcomes fear

• Hopeful vs. hopelessne­ss

• Newly-discovered talent and skills

• Endurance beyond adversity

• Compassion for the less fortunate

• An increased sense of gratitude

• A deeper appreciati­on for and commitment to health and wellness To-do list

Getting over the tiredness of daily life as it was lived in pre-pandemic times has made everyone do a serious self-examinatio­n. Little aches and pains that one used to ignore demand your immediate attention. To learn the art of recharging the self begins with one basic requiremen­t — time. Since we all have it in abundance, here are some suggestion­s. Yes, it is possible to power up one’s inner battery.

Warm baths and foot soaks. If you have a bathtub, mix a cup of sea salt with two drops of lavender essential oil and pour in your bath water to help remove toxins and relax the muscles. A foot soak is just as effective. If you wish to cover your body with a towel soaked in this solution, then feel free to do so for 10 minutes. Keep the towel warm.

Skin rub. With two tablespoon­s of virgin coconut oil on a towelette or scrub pad, rub your body thoroughly. This improves circulatio­n. Music therapy.

Listen to relaxing music before you start the day and before bedtime. This has a soothing effect. Improve your diet.

Make health a priority by changing your eating habits. Eat more nutritious foods that will energize the body.

Exercise. Start a regular program and commit to your chosen routine. Sleep more. Good quality sleep repairs a tired body. Get seven to eight hours on the average. Mind-body regimens. Practice meditation or any mind-body exercise like Tai Chi. Find a new passion.

There is so much talent in you waiting to be discovered: cook, bake, plant or dance!

Affirm Today: “There is so much more of me waiting to be discovered.”

 ?? PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/ BENJAMIN KLAVER ?? SHIFT to healthier eating habits.
THERE is no better time to start exercising.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/ BENJAMIN KLAVER SHIFT to healthier eating habits. THERE is no better time to start exercising.
 ?? PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/BRUCE MARS ?? ALWAYS allot time for relaxation.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/BRUCE MARS ALWAYS allot time for relaxation.
 ?? PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/LOUIS HANSEL ??
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/LOUIS HANSEL
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