Tag: Tips

Happiness, Tips

Five ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in quarantine

Amanda

Mother’s Day is THIS Sunday! If you don’t tell or show your mom (or mother figure) you love her everyday already, make it a priority this Sunday.

I am truly blessed to have my mom. She is my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and my best friend. She has supported me through all the milestone’s I’ve reached, the heartbreaks I thought I’d never get through, and everything else I never knew I’d need her for. Her happiness is my happiness. I am forever thankful to the universe for letting her be mine.

Celebrating Mother’s Day in quarantine can prove a challenge for families with adult children who no longer live at home. Friends, this post is for you, and I hope it helps you celebrate Mother’s Day as best as you can. Here are five tips to celebrate Mother’s Day in quarantine.

1. Spend time with her

For some, the best gift you can give is your time. It’s free, but this particular gift could get a little tricky because of the quarantine and social distancing protocols. There are clever ways to get around this though: video calls, online gaming, or simply staying outside the window (with a mask, safety first!) is all it takes. If these social distancing-approved methods aren’t possible for you on Mother’s Day, consider scheduling a day later in the year to spend together, like a flower arranging or cooking class. Take advantage of every moment you have with her; you never know how many more you’ll have.

2. Give her something personalized

This one requires a little bit of planning, so it is not recommended for the sons and daughters who repetitiously wait until the last possible second to do anything to celebrate their mother on Mother’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be anything grand or expensive, but take the extra step to personalize and customize gifts if you can. Make a card instead of purchasing one, bake her cookies and make a special Mother’s Day cookie jar, have your family’s name engraved on a pillow, have a photo or her name printed on a special mug instead of settling for a generic one from the pharmacy gift aisle. You know that photo recreation trend that’s happening right now? If possible, do that! You can mail or ship your gift to her, or make a special front porch delivery while minding social distancing.

3. Take a trip together

Let me rephrase, take a virtual trip together. There are dozens of museums, aquariums, and theme parks from around the world offering virtual tours in light of the pandemic. Make a plan with your mother to take a virtual tour together from the comfort of your perspective homes. This list from Good Housekeeping is a great place to start!

4. Gift a subscription box she’ll love

Subscription boxes are great, and there are so many options out there for just about any budget. Whether your mother is interested in fitness, candles, food, or gardening, there are so many subscriptions to choose from. A quick Google search will yield plenty of options. I’d recommend checking out this curated list of subscription boxes from Harpers Bazaar first and go from there.

5. Tell her you love her, everyday

Okay, so this one isn’t just for Mother’s Day, but it’s still so important! Your mom literally gave you life, the least you can do is tell her you love her. Whether you do it over a phone call, text, email, flowers, card sent snail mail, it’s all good! Heck, stand outside her house and yell it loud enough for the neighbors to hear.

You can also say I love you by doing little acts of kindness; offer to pick up her groceries, take out the trash, help in the garden. Not only will you be spending time with her (see #1 above), but you will be showing her that you love her and setting an example for others.

Final Thoughts

To all who may have lost a mother, Mother’s Day can be especially hard. Please know that you are loved, and allow yourself to observe this holiday however you need to find peace.

I hope you all are able to celebrate Mother’s Day in a meaningful way. Happy Mother’s Day. Tell your mom you love her.

Happiness, Health, Mindfulness, Self Love

Why I started walking and how I get the most out of it

Amanda

Mornings have always been hard for me. Quite frankly, I’m a grouch until 10-11 a.m. regardless of the number of hours I slept. “Happy” is the last thing I would consider myself feeling, and anyone who knows me would agree (although they might just be scared to say otherwise for fear of my inner grouch rearing it’s ugly head).

Unfortunately, my adopted pup, Erin, doesn’t understand this.

Dog looking upside down and backwards at the camera.

She wakes me every morning no later than 6 a.m. to start our day. Granted, 6 a.m. probably doesn’t seem that bad, but for someone who struggles with mornings as much as I do, it makes my heart hurt.

I tried snoozing my energetic, furry alarm but resistance was futile.

Coffee helps to take the edge off, but it isn’t quite enough to satisfy my inner grouch. I didn’t like how I felt; I knew I had to turn my frown upside down as quickly as possible.

Why walk?

Erin loves going for walks, as many dogs do, so I started taking her on 30-minute walks around our neighborhood every morning to try to make up for my terrible attitude. Erin was able to explore and release some of her pent up, overnight energy, and I noticed that I was reaping benefits of my own.

Walking is good for your health. Thirty minutes of brisk walking daily can improve and maintain your overall health, including improving cardiovascular fitness, enhancing muscle strength, and reducing excess body fat. Additionally, walking can help ease stress, reduce anxiety, and boost your mood (a.k.a. happiness!). I’ve experienced this first-hand. After walking regularly for a couple weeks, I noticed that I wasn’t as grouchy in the morning, generally happier throughout the day, and actually looked forward to our walks. I even shed a few pounds! Note: Please consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.

Walking is free. Since being unemployed, I’ve prioritized low-cost alternatives to things that I would consider purchasing if my situation was different; no gym memberships or streaming services for me!

Walking doesn’t require any special knowledge or training, and very little equipment; a decent pair of walking shoes or sneakers will do the trick!

Walking is flexible. Walking is a weight-bearing but low impact exercise which can be done for any length of time and at any pace. This makes walking an appropriate form of exercise for almost anyone regardless of fitness level. You can walk whenever and almost wherever you’d like (no trespassing, please), which makes it easy to integrate into a busy schedule. You can dedicate a set amount of time or distance to walk, like I do in the morning, or easily add extra steps into your day by taking the stairs instead of an elevator, parking farther away from a store’s entrance, or walking around the house while on the phone or brushing your teeth. However, if you are concerned or have a medical condition, PLEASE consult with your doctor before beginning any other exercise regimen.

Walking is a social distancing-approved activity. Normally, you could walk with friends or with a walking group, but social distancing has significantly limited our ability to do so. However, walking can be done individually, and you may find that you actually enjoy the time to yourself. I enjoy the quiet and use that time to outline my goals for the day, practice mindfulness, and enjoy time with my pup. If you can’t stand the idea of walking alone, consider popping in ear buds with your favorite playlist or call a friend to chat.

Empty walking path at Pingvellir National Park, Iceland.

Obviously, walking has its benefits. I’d encourage you to experiment with walking and see if it helps to elevate your happiness as it has mine. It’s become something I enjoy so much that I’ve added an evening walk to my routine as well!

Five tips for happier steps

To build upon the inherent happiness-boosting properties of walking, I’d recommend the following:

  1. Make walking a routine. Routines help us stay focused and structured, which aids in stress reduction and ultimately improves our happiness. The beauty of walking is that you can choose how and when it fits into your schedule, but adding it to your routine will take out any stressful guesswork or planning. Every morning, after Erin is fed and I have my first cup of coffee, we’re headed out the door for our walk. I don’t need to think about it, I don’t procrastinate, it just happens. Less stress = more happiness.
  2. Go green. Head outside and fill your lungs with fresh air and soak in all of the Vitamin D you can. I try to stay away from heavy traffic and busy streets when I walk since those areas are loud, distracting, and take away from the experience and relaxation I look forward to. I’d recommend not only staying away from congested areas, but walking where you actually see green, like parks, open fields, or hiking trails. These areas will help you feel happier and less anxious overall, and shift your energy to a more positive one. More peace = more happiness.
  3. Practice mindfulness. Use your walk to let your body and mind recharge, whether that means you plan out your day, practice meditation, or simply do your best to clear your mind for a few minutes. Leave your to-do list and stresses of the day at home, they will be there when you return. Appreciate and be thankful for moment you are in. More gratitude = more happiness.
  4. Unplug. I recommend using your walk as an opportunity to take a break. I know it’s easy to pull out your phone and scroll through social media, but please, keep it out of sight during your walk. Not only is your phone distracting, it can be downright dangerous if you aren’t paying attention to where you’re walking. In fact, cell phones may inhibit your brain from recharging effectively. Take a break, relax, and be happy. Fewer distractions = more happiness.
  5. Bring a friend (two or four-legged). Although we might not be able to do this now, I would recommend bringing a friend, whether human or animal, to accompany you on your walks. It’ll not only add an element of fun to your walk, but it will hold you accountable. The lack of accountability was one of my biggest obstacles to exercising in general. I always had an excuse; I was too tired, didn’t have enough time, didn’t want to miss this television show, the list goes on. If it wasn’t for my original commitment to Erin, to be a better version of myself for her, I would not have started walking consistently. I wouldn’t have experienced the benefits of walking regularly, nor realized how much I enjoy that time in general. Greater success = more happiness.
Dog walking on a leash.

Whether you are in great shape or just starting out, walking has the potential to help you, body and mind. I hope you consider these tips helpful and encouraging.

Do you walk (or run) regularly? What are your tips for happier, more successful sessions?

Happiness, Mindfulness, Self Love

Five ways to celebrate Easter in quarantine

Amanda

Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE holidays. I look froward to just about every one for its own reason. Well, Halloween not so much because I’m a fraidy-cat, but I do my best.

I won’t be gathering with my family to celebrate Easter due to the quarantine, so I know first-hand how hard it is to look forward to the holiday. However, I’ve found ways to include some of my family’s Easter traditions at my home to help keep my spirits up. Here are five ways to lift your Easter spirit:

1. Decorate

By far, the quickest and easiest way to get me into the spirit for any holiday is by decorating, and my favorite Easter decoration is the Easter Tree. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve had several decorated Easter trees, in addition to my other decor, scattered around my house for nearly three weeks now.

Growing up, my family and I would find a bare tree limb (no more than three feet long), stick it base-first into a 5-gallon bucket, and decorate it with ornaments, ribbon, or whatever we had available. Now, the creative possibilities are endless! Check out these 25 DIY Easter Tree Ideas from Country Living and you’ll see what I mean.

Don’t be afraid to do a simple Google search to find hundreds, if not thousands, of other creative and homemade decor ideas, too!

2. Color Easter eggs

Coloring Easter eggs has always been one of my favorite Easter traditions. It taught me a lot about the beauty of patience; I still struggle waiting for the eggs to sit in the color cups long enough to embody that rich color. It’s a fun activity at any age and offers a creative outlet which can be especially helpful in isolation.

Egg dying kits are typically available at your local grocery store, but if you can’t or weren’t able to pick up a kit, McCormick has a great web page dedicated to all things Easter egg. You could also use markers, crayons, or paper to create your egg-cellent masterpieces.

3. Dress up

Just because you don’t have anywhere to go, doesn’t mean you can’t dress in your Sunday best, right? Pick something out of your closet that makes you feel great, and wear it around the house. Your mood will improve and you’ll feel more confident; who doesn’t want more of that in their life? Take it up a notch and do your hair and makeup too. Show yourself a little self love and pamper yourself a bit; you deserve it! In fact, have the whole family get dressed up and have an Easter parade through your living room!

4. Watch an Easter movie

Yes, an Easter movie. Christmas movies, and even Halloween movies outnumber Easter movies by far, but there are still a few that are sure to please. My personal favorites are The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town (1977) and Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) (I’m a sucker for family-friendly movies in this style), but if you’re looking for something a bit more modern or religious, check out Oprah’s 25 Best Easter Movies to Keep the Entire Family Entertained for inspiration.

“The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town,” 1977
“Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” 1971

5. Have family dinner, virtually

Technology has gifted us with more digital avenues to connect with people than ever before. Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, Facebook Live, and House Party, and Zoom are just a few video platforms available for free. Find a platform that works for your family and friends (make sure you all have an account if it is needed), set a time, and meet up for dinner! Chat, laugh, and play games, just like you would in person.

Despite the quarantine, social distancing, and overall trauma the world is currently facing, we still have much to be grateful for. After you decorate, color eggs, or watch an Easter movie, I hope you find time to meditate on this holiday, and find gratitude in whatever circumstance you might be facing. For me, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ, the importance of family, and the welcoming of bright colors and warmer weather. Especially now, I also feel that Easter represents positivity, change, and strength for the months ahead.

How will you be celebrating this year?

Happy Easter, my friends 🐰