WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN APRIL 18TH, 2020

**This past week has gone pretty well. Started off with Easter Dinner at my moms house. I did NOT however stay on track or any kind of plan. When my mom cooks, I eat AND enjoy every moment. Its not often my family and I are able to get together for moments like that, So I cherish and enjoy to the fullest holiday times with one another as much as I can.... I was sure to get in plenty of activity the following day and get back on track. I remained on track throughout the week (except once again.. my sleep)

**Last Saturday the day before Easter, I told you all that I was taking a Fitness certification that day... Well, finally after a long time of "Not making the time" I was able to get my course finished and completed and took my testing to be a "Certified Personal Trainer"!... I love working with people in that way and helping them to reach goals or simply to feel better about themselves, so I thought I'd take it to the next level and not only work with "Groups" (like Zumba/Group Fitness) but to also work with them "One on One" and create more opportunities as well... So congrats to me on that I guess lol... There were a few small tears along the way.... but its finally done!

**This week I continued to keep up with trying to finish up getting things done around our home. And we are really coming along and getting close to having things finished. I'm so proud of myself for making goals this month when I knew there would be plenty of time to get them done, and also getting them completed.

**Today (Saturday) I signed up for yet again, another Fitness certification that I have been waiting the past almost 2 years to get done, and once again, just didn't have the time to complete. So ... Saturday will be yet another day to do and complete that. So I intend to get up early again to get some activity and steps in, since I will be sitting alot. I finished up early last week, and hoping for the same this week as well, so that I can continue on with my day and doing other things I actually enjoy! lol... Hoping in this next coming week to have EVERYTHING finished that I set out to do and complete this month while on "Lock-down"~ And I'm promising myself that it will be!

ENJOY THE WEEKEND~ CONTINUE TO STAY SAFE~

This week hasnt been the most productive work-wise, I considered Monday was off and then I just didnt get any work done on Friday as well lol but I took that time to clean the whole house is and do the grocery shopping so it was productive in other ways.

I started the week feeling quite defeated after the announcement that the lockdown would be kept at least until the 11th of May over here (so 4 more weeks when it was annouced), it is sure needed but at the same time its getting really tiring. Im really looking forward being able to go back to my own place and even to the lab where I work. So for all this remaining time, Im going to try and stay indifferent and, if anything, adapt to everything my mother do (and doesnt do) so as to waste less mental energy on that. Ive also changed my workouts, I had started to lose the motivation to work out on my own so for now Im following videos which is a nice and helpful change. And Ill try to be as productive as I can be, at least when Im feeling productive and not push it the rest of the time. I'm mostly going to try and stick to the habits/goals I've set so far as they've been (more or less) working!

Take care!

Hello~

1. Week has been a blur. I hardly remember it which is slightly worrying because my memory has been going and... I don't know if I can't remember because the days are running together or because my memory is getting worse. But I'm as positive as I can be today so it's all right.

2. Whew that green is so bright! Easter was alright. I kept it healthy by meditating more, eating more, and I think I went for a short walk that day too.

3. Journaling has been big for me. Just the act of writing releases tension in me. Though now I've got restless leg syndrome and no amount of easy movement like pacing is helping. I've been sleeping more too. Feeling run down so I think the extra sleeping is my body trying to heal itself but it doesn't help my depression at all.

4. I don't think opening back up is a good idea. This isn't over yet and opening things up will just encourage a flood of stir-crazy people to flock to those places... and then we could see a spike in cases. I get people are going stir-crazy, missing their family and friends, the economy is suffering, millions have lost their jobs, more stress for everyone's mental health, school is being disrupted. I have no doubts we could see an increase in cases of domestic abuse during quarantine. I'm a tad conflicted, as I'm not in the best spot here at home but I'm aware of my privilege too as someone who isn't immuno-compromised (I have asthma and ED but I don't think it counts as a risk). My state just extended school closures for public schools to May 15 and my university closed a while ago. I think extensions are what we need, unfortunately, for the sake of immuno-compromised and other vulnerable people.

I feel kinda weird speaking on things opening though. I can't imagine the impact this has had on other people, I just my own point of view and I don't want to diminish anyone's struggles. I don't really care what opens first, I hardly go anywhere other than school haha..

5. Stick to a friggin schedule!

6. I went for a jog. I finally cried. I printed a schedule. I ate a crepe and am about to have another. I'm getting some homework done, though I'm forcing it, at least it's getting done. I found some tips for productivity for people with ADHD; I don't have it (I think) but they have been the most helpful tips by far. I can't quite tell you which of those are highlights and which are struggles - they've all had benefits and drawbacks. But I can say that they've been mostly positive experiences or negatives that I've been able to spin in a positive way. I'm 20 minutes past my break now so I gotta get back to it

This week has been pretty chill and I have been watching the live abc concert and news available on multiple apps including Hulu.

**Hey Everyone~ How has your past week been going for you?

This past week was stressful, Trying to find a cat a home, doctor appts, and nonstop phone calls. I had a hard time keeping my emotions in check, they were all over the place and I feel drained now.

**For those that celebrated 'Easter' how did that go for you? What did you do? How did you keep it healthy? If you did not celebrate, How did you spend that day?

I don't celebrate but I went to my in laws for Easter dinner. It was a good time.

**What are some ways that you were able to take care of yourself this past week? In what ways were you able to practice some Self Care during these crazy times Physically, mentally and emotionally?

I reached out to friends and made sure to take time for myself. Been doing mindfulness and yoga.

**The USA is talking of new plans to possibly get things "Opening" again and back up and running, some starting next week, some by the beginning of May (Gyms, etc...) . How do you feel about this? What are your thoughts? What will be the FIRST thing you'd like to do if that happens?

I'm in Canada so we have a long way to go. I don't think the USA is ready to open yet but not much I can do about it.

**Name ONE healthy habit that you did for yourself this past week?...If you can't name one, Name ONE healthy thing you can do for yourself in the coming week ahead!?

I haven't bought any fast food or Ice cream. I feel better and my back account is thanking me too haha.

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week?

A highlight is I was able to find the cat a good healthy home and a struggle has been my emotions. I've been so upset at being up in a place that I never want to be in.

**How has your past week been going for you?

It was a great week :) I accomplished my goal of doing more things that make ME happy compared to doing a lot of things for other people and feeling unhappy.

**What are some ways that you were able to take care of yourself this past week? In what ways were you able to practice some Self Care during these crazy times Physically, mentally and emotionally?

I set clear boundaries for myself regarding social media & 7Cups. When I consume too much of those, it's as if my emotional battery drains. Instead, I set myself a time limit of 1 hour for each. Setting this boundary has really helped me to focus on self-care that lifts my soul: taking a walk outside, working on my herb garden (my cilantro is really thriving, you guys!! :) ), shifting my focus to my platform where I help students get into dental school - I've been interweaving self-care into my posts this week to inspire them during this rough time we are all facing with COVID. I've been using a planner to keep me focused mentally by writing new long-term & short-term goals, creating plans on how to reach them, and finding quotes to write throughout the month of April & May for a little extra motivation :)

**The USA is talking of new plans to possibly get things "Opening" again and back up and running, some starting next week, some by the beginning of May (Gyms, etc...) . How do you feel about this? What are your thoughts? What will be the FIRST thing you'd like to do if that happens?

I believe that if businesses and the general public cooperate with hand washing, social distancing, wearing face coverings & sanitizing our homes/businesses, that we may reach a happy medium where our health needs & financial needs will be met. I think we need to understand that our new normal will look a little different. Glass separating a cashier from the customer or a nail tech from their customer, face coverings on all employees and everyone on the street, etc. I think we should accept this new normal & work together to acheive the goal to slow transmission amongst ourselves.

Once things do open, I think the first thing I'd like to do is go to my favorite restuarant with my boyfriend :) (unfortunately, they are not on a delivery platform 😭)

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week?

A big highlight was buying my scrubs for dental school! It's very exciting to know that in August, I will be in another state & a new chapter in my life. I've worked very hard to get here & it feels like I finally made it.

**What would "YOU" like to talk about or share with us This Week?! WE want to hear from "YOU"~

I simply want to encourage you all to not focus too much on the uncertainty the virus has caused us. Instead, let's focus on what we can do to protect ourselves once our cities open. Let's focus on things we can change & accept the things we have no control over. Let's focus on working together ❤️

I hope you all have a safe & happy week ✨

@PoliteOcean This past week, I called about 8 people to see if they wanted to be my caretaker. I had someone scheduled for an interview for Monday the 20th, but they canceled on me because I don't offer enough hours. I've had several people turn me down for that reason. My room mate Eric went to the hospital because his foot was severely infected. I hope he gets treatment for his mental illness while he is there. I'm currently studying the book of Zechariah, and I really like it. I also started a course on the philosophy of religion and I like that one as well. My possessions have been sitting on the floor in boxes for the past 8 months, and I finally got a dresser in my bedroom. I will still have to keep some things in boxes, but it at least relieved some of the cramped feeling in my bedroom.

It was somewhat of a success, some hiccups. I consider it mostly a success because I know that being cooped up all day is what's getting to me, and that's normal! I shouldn't beat myself up for that.

I didn't really do anything for Easter besides call my family! My boyfriend and roomies didn't really wanna do anything else, and I don't blame them! I have bigger plans for Earth day.

Well, I've made sure to do yoga as much as I was feeling up for, and I also am keeping myself calm and collected with lots of encouragement and positive, gentle activities once I've finished work I need to do.

Well, I know it'll definitely be important for my friends and I NOT to all meet up and sneeze all over one another immediately... The roommates and I actually were in the midst of planning a huge springtime party (wine & cheese formal) with like, everyone we knew, and although we'd love to kick that off-- we know we can't. We have to ease into the end of the lockdown... So I think I'd like to go to a park. :) Get some sunshine and air and move my body freely.

I did yoga for several days! Not all of them! Oh well! Haha

Highlights: Productivity in spite of my feeling weird
Struggles: Feeling weird and cooped up

**Hey Everyone~ How has your past week been going for you?

Stressful, not as much as some other people, but I've been getting on my sister's nerves and making stupid mistakes around the house.

**For those that celebrated 'Easter' how did that go for you? What did you do? How did you keep it healthy? If you did not celebrate, How did you spend that day?

Usually I'd celebrate Easter at church, but I'm living with people who don't celebrate, so I played video games all day and talked with friends online. I had a lot of fun! I probably will observe Easter next year, but I feel like it was okay to deviate from my usual plans this time.

**What are some ways that you were able to take care of yourself this past week? In what ways were you able to practice some Self Care during these crazy times Physically, mentally and emotionally?

So after writing an IOU to my shower for 5 days I decided that was enough of that. I ordered to Bath and Body Works for shower gel, lotion, fragrance, and sugar scrub in two scents. I wasn't getting a lot of sleep at night, so I turned off my alarm in the morning and got a little extra sleep each day. Emotionally I took a break from my office program training to do a training in goal setting as a change of pace. And I made sure I talked a lot with friends and family.

**The USA is talking of new plans to possibly get things "Opening" again and back up and running, some starting next week, some by the beginning of May (Gyms, etc...) . How do you feel about this? What are your thoughts? What will be the FIRST thing you'd like to do if that happens?

So I worry that economists are so worried about the economy that we could prematurely open and lose all the ground against the virus that we've gained. I think it would be a pity to do that AND also have the economic downturn and all the sacrifices that have been made be in vain.

Probably the first thing I will do is get a haircut. My hair looks horrible.. lol.. but mostly I will continue to limit nonessential activities, because almost everyone in my household has lung problems, so COVID is likely to hit us hard.

**Name ONE healthy habit that you did for yourself this past week?...If you can't name one, Name ONE healthy thing you can do for yourself in the coming week ahead!?

In the coming week I'm going to make an extra effort not to touch my face. I know most can probably do that without a problem but when I'm anxious I scratch or pick, especially if I break out in pimples or acne.

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week?

My highlights have been switching gears and working on my goal-setting. My struggles have been trying to stay out of my sister's way and not get on her nerves.

@PoliteOcean

Week has been fine. Still trying to be productive, use time wisely and keep calm.

I did not celebrate Easter but I made a special dinner and had a long call with my Mom, she celebrates and was a good way to stay connected.

Take care of myself has not been easy but I manage anyway, healthy meals are not a problem, probably I've been eating better than before the quarantine (it was not that bad but I am doing better now, availability of fresh products and time to cook made the difference). Working out has not been easy, I try to take long walks but some days has been raining hard and it hasn't been posible, running I could try, but where I live most people takes the lock down seriously and very few people is running around, I feel like I would be breaking the solidarity rules if I do that. My main problem has been with sleep time, I've been staying awake unitl late and even if I try I can not stay asleep after 7AM, my sleep time average past week was probably 4 hours and I know that's not good enough.

I am not in the USA now, but I have a lot of friends in different places NY, CA, VA, OR, TN, FL and TX, I know conditions are not the same for each state or city, In general I don't think is a good idea to open too soon and without enough data to support the decision. Some places may be ready sooner that others, but even there, caution must prevail over economy related reasons. Where I live now we are weeks behind compared with the US, lock down measures, just like in the US, has been uneven, some states enforced strictly the lock down, others have been very relaxed. In my place, a suburb of the biggest city, people has been mostly respectful of the lock down.

One healthy habit: After an almost 8 years hiatus, I've been out to the nearby playground early morning every other day to practice a bit of Tai Chi (A bit embarrassed because passerbys look at me oddly).

Highlights, Calling frequently my mom and doing a lot of volunteer stuff. Struggles are there but are not important.