An At-Home Wellness Sabbatical
At this point, it’s an understatement to say that the COVID-19 has taken a toll on our mental well-being. The coronavirus alone has tripled rates of depression in adults in the U.S., according to a study published in September, with women affected at higher rates than men.
I felt the change in my mood and even published a blog about it on Feb 15 about COVID-19 depression and lupus.
The “solutions” for dealing with stress typically involve some form of self-care, ranging from a three-minute mindfulness break to a relaxing bath to a vacation or wellness retreat where you’re able to disconnect and reset.
Getting away from it all sounds great, but most people don’t have the time or money to make that a reality. Fortunately, there is another option: an at-home wellness sabbatical. It involves more than squeezing a walk in once a week: it’s more of a commitment. The idea is not to completely unplug from work, as that’s simply not realistic in today’s world, but instead, find a way to work and focus on health and well-being at the same time.
Your success will come down to making a plan and sticking with it. It’s going to require really treating your home as if you are somewhere else. I tried, and it operated wonders in my mental health. Even your husband can enjoy it together.
Here are some tips on how to plan an at-home wellness sabbatical:
1 Make a schedule;
2 Prepare Your Space;
3 Let people know;
4 Conduct an energy audit;
5 Plan your food and beverages.
Potential activities for an at-home wellness sabbatical:
Morning questions;
For your physical health:
Morning stretches;
Go for a walk outside;
Do a body scan;
Breathe;
Rest.
For your mental health:
Practice gratitude;
Find inspiration;
Practice mindfulness;
Meditate;
Find humor.
For your spirit:
Be creative;
Find meaning and purpose.
You can read more about these activities here.
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