As the world shifts to accommodate new health protocols we pivot our regularly scheduled episode to help bring some stress-relieving ideas, as well as some intuitive playful options for your life. A mini episode of sorts, and we hope you enjoy.
Hey! Just here giving more tips on how to manage to help squeeze just a little more joy out of life hopefully catching you at a point when you feel like you can use it!
This episode is split into two main chunks: 1) Reminders from the playground and 2) Suggestions to help instigate play as a resource to fuel more creativity than chaos.
Here are some of the resources I mention in the episode:
Article food for thought:
https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca
Youtube Videos:
Kristin Andrus and her amazing cache of workouts:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQjPy3drF0G5AcTRpsLv-pA
Sculpt Society Cache:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCYT_BvUB1Wy-lxqPHPjs11GTkE7YDueH
Body Weight Warrior Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0DZhN-8KFLYO6beSaYljg
Find us on social media
@TheOliverFund
@ArtOfPlayPodcast
Hey there everybody!
With all the hullabaloo around a very specific virus, I thought I would just put together a quick little blurb about some fun things you can do while self-quarantining, or resetting your ability to arm yourself with what you actually need at this point in time. Or pack these tips away for someday when a trip gets cancelled or life changes unexpectedly and you have some time to fill. Right now It’s a time when I feel like there is a lot of hype. There is a reason for the hype, and there are so many mixed messages out there, so the first thing I will say is do your own research. I have included an article that a friend sent to me that is a good place to start if you don’t have a clear starting point. Knowledge is powerful, and liberating.
Next: Words have power. the words you take in and the words you say. Remember that if people are coming from a place of fear, there is no way that coming at them angry or afraid is going to help. Many times we attach fear and judgement to the unknown because we are scared, being mindful of that allows us to actually connect and see where we can be of help to those around us, and overall help ourselves as well. Kind words go a long way to helping people feel connected not abandoned, and sincere helping words will do better in actually building a system of trust and confidence. Your words matter to people looking to you for help. This goes for your family, but also for people you can only reach with your keyboard. Be kind. Pay attention to what you are spreading. And that may be more than words.
Overestimating your contribution.
At this point this is a worldwide cause. We are all involved in important work, and right now the important thing is remembering you are not alone in being asked to stay home, or wash your hands, or be mindful as you take the risk to travel, or even to be asked to not go about your business as usual. This is not to say that we don’t all play important roles in this life, but in this specific scenario, let’s just focus on the key components to the best outcome. Do you play a specific role in helping stop this virus by not leaving your house? Where is your circle of influence? What is the best possible influence you can have on these around you? In what ways can you contribute to a sense of calm? These are some good contributions to the energy and hype that this situation is getting. And we can all build our community still over text, Skype, FaceTime, email and satellite work environments. Checking in on your neighbors and friends can be a good way to reconnect. Take the time to have that phone conversation now. I am not immune to the fact that there still are problems that arise from this outlook such as the kids who rely on lunch from school, or the people working three jobs that don’t have the means to stay home. But what I am saying is we can all help each other by being mindfully aware of what risks we put other people in.
Here are some things that we can control, since many situations we are currently in may feel out of our hands:
Our feelings
Our behavior
Our methods of outreach.
Washing your hands.
Limit your exposure to other people, including handshakes, hugs, high fives.
Your attitude about being inconvenienced, or being fear triggered. Your attitude about other people’s attitudes.
Your actions and the choices you make. Being aware that you have the right to speak up, be heard, and communicate your needs helps empower you to make the decision for yourself. Your boundaries both physical an emotional are under your control.
The way you respond to others. Maybe listen to their fears instead of dismissing, scroll past without engaging, or even better yet, contribute love without having to agree.
Breathe deep, and wash your hands.
Finally, here are some tips for things to take your mind off of stressful situations:
First: Try something new or or revive something you miss: Find a new recipe, get creative about somewhere you would like to be, and make a dish that reminds you of there, or sparks your interest in traveling there. Paint, draw, use charcoal, sculpt. Learn to sew something. Build a model airplane. Tinker with something new. Play a video game you loved as a kid (better yet play it with your kids). Write a short story, or read a comic book. Revive the old you that loved to explore and was fining new ways to experience the world. Try something out of your comfort zone, but in the comfort of your own space.
Next: Move your body: Get outside and walk, breathe some fresh air (opening a window counts if you’re doing something with your body while it’s open), try a youtube workout (I will post some favorites in the show notes), rearrange your furniture (Maybe that is only a physical thing for someone like me), challenge yourself in a new way (try jump roping, run your stairs, touch your toes, rotate your spine, do a somersault, etc. be creative), or maybe even just take 15 minutes to really stretch.
Finally: Rest your brain: try some mindfulness or meditation practices, edit your social media feeds to those that inspire, Set timers and try a new work flow (an example work 40minutes/break 10 minutes), test your intuition skills, see if you can use a different sense every hour in a new way, Listen to an audiobook with someone relaxing (Brene Brown’s voice is so calming to me as is Peter Coyote narrating anything) or read a book if you normally listen to books (I highly recommend anything lighthearted, and you know if you’re a non-fiction or fiction sort of person). Garden, (It’s so close to spring, we are almost there). Play with something tactile: Clay, slime (not a big slime advocate over here but it had to be said), dried beans or rice, legos, origami, beads, knead bread dough. Follow what you already know you love to do in this area.
These areas are a great lead in to reconnecting with your playful self. Just remember as you do this, that the overall goal is to not add one more thing to your already full plate, it’s actually to help you manage your load more effectively.