COVID-19

Dec

2020

The Year in Recap: Life Lessons from 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It is almost the end of the year. Many people are eager to have 2020 done and over with. That’s not surprising considering the fact that 2020 has been an exhausting and overwhelming year for most of us. But before we chase the remaining few days of the year, why not look back and take a look at the year in recap and learn some of the valuable life lessons from 2020. The following top articles of the year is a reflection of what transpired during the year and the general sentiment of the readers.

1.Cherish Your Loved Ones While You Still Can

As of this writing, more than 1.76 million people around the world had already lost their lives because of COVID-19. This means that many people lost their loved ones because of this pandemic. Most of the time, it happened so quickly that they were not able to properly say their goodbyes. The grieving process becomes worse if there is regret and guilt involved. To avoid this from happening, it is better to cherish your loved ones while you still can. Don’t wait until it is too late to do so.

2.Korean Dramas About Overcoming Challenges

If there is one thing that we got from 2020, it is the gift of time. Because of the lockdowns, many people found themselves trapped at home with nothing to do. To help fight boredom, many people resorted to watching Korean Dramas. Because many had to go through challenges this year, they look for something inspirational to watch like Korean Dramas about overcoming challenges.

3.Redesign Your Life Through a Bucket List

The world is now totally different. What used to work before this pandemic may no longer work in the new normal. Thus, now is the perfect time to redesign your life through a bucket list. What is it that you want to accomplish in life going forward? What needs to change? It is time to create new dreams and goals.

4.It’s Okay To Not Be Okay

Let’s admit it. No matter how big or small the effect of the pandemic is in our lives; at some point this year, we can honestly say that we were not okay. But, it’s okay. It is all a part of life. Sometimes, it’s okay to not be okay. The only way we can only move forward is if we learn to embrace our negative emotions and our pain. That is how we grow as a person.

5.How To Survive This Economic Crisis

Unfortunately for us, the COVID-19 pandemic is more than just a health concern. It has also turned into a full-blown economic crisis with millions of people losing their means of livelihood. So many people found themselves at a loss just trying to figure out how to survive this economic crisis.

6.Wealth Rules from the Richest Man in Babylon

Because of the economic crisis, people now realized that working hard alone is no longer enough. There is also a need for financial literacy. Knowing and understanding how money works can help people prepare and survive a financial crisis. What better way to learn about money than learning from the wealth rules from the richest man in Babylon.

7.Crossroads: Making Life Changing Decisions

In a nutshell, 2020 is all about change. Since the world is changing, people found themselves in crossroads, making life changing decisions. It sounds easy but change is a difficult thing to do.It is scary most especially if we don’t know what lies ahead. Should I move away from the city? Should I change jobs? Should I change my lifestyle? All of these questions involve choices. Many people were forced to make difficult decisions in their lives this year because of this crisis.

8.The Power of A Smile

When everything around us is negative, it is difficult to stay positive. However, did you know that a simple smile can do wonders for our health and overall well-being? That is the power of a smile. A smile can make us feel better, albeit temporarily. It reduces stress. It boosts our happiness level, even if the smile is fake. So the next time you feel gloomy and sad, force yourself to smile.

9.Stock Options: A Way To Earn Amidst A Crisis

Since many people experienced a reduction or even a loss of income, people are now searching for an alternative source of income. Although there are many investment vehicles available out there, only a few can give positive and substantial returns even in times of crisis. Stock Options trading is one of them. Stock Options is a way to earn amidst a crisis. With stock options trading, it is possible to earn regardless of market direction.

10.Six Dimensions of Wellness

Because of the lockdowns, people have realized that the absence of disease alone does not mean that one is healthy. To be truly healthy, one needs to be healthy not just physically but emotionally, intellectually, socially, spiritually and environmentally as well. There are six dimensions of wellness. All of these dimensions are equally important in the overall well-being of a person.

That is the year in recap and life lessons from 2020. Hope we all learn from the experiences. Let us all look forward and visualize better days ahead of us.

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Dec

2020

Holiday Travel During A Pandemic

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of traveling during this holiday season? Before you get all excited and begin packing your bags, you may want to reconsider your plans. While the holiday is really about reconnecting with family and loved ones, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. There has been a resurgence of cases in some areas. So, everyone should remain vigilant. Certain factors such as large gatherings increase the risk of infection. Traveling can also increase your chance of spreading and getting the disease. But if you really must go, here are things to consider in holiday travel during a pandemic.

1. Be Aware of the Health Condition of Your Loved Ones

Before you even begin contemplating on your travel, ask yourself. Are you in good physical condition? Is someone from your family sick? What is the health condition of your household? What about the family you are going to visit? If one of you is immunocompromised or has a comorbidity, it is best to just cancel or postpone your trip. Protecting yourself and others should be a priority.

2. Know the Situation of Your Destination

The next thing to do is to do some research. Are the cases high in the community of your destination? Aside from your destination, you should also consider the latest health development in your area. The higher the cases are in your point of origin and in your target destination, the higher the chance of you getting and spreading the virus.

3. Check Travel Restrictions

Whether you are planning on a road trip or booking a flight, if your destination is in another city, province or state; it is best to first check the travel restrictions. Various destinations have different travel restrictions in place. In addition, travel requirements are very volatile these days. They change frequently depending on the latest health developments. Thus, it is important to keep yourself updated before you travel.

4.Get Yourself Tested

If it is not a mandatory requirement for your travel, still, do consider to have yourself tested first. It is the only way to protect yourself and others from you.

5. Get Travel Insurance

Traveling these days is no longer that simple. Travelers are now more conscious of the added risks involved. Thus, in order to protect yourself from unplanned incidents, it is best to have insurance. Furthermore, many destinations now require travel insurance, especially if you are going overseas.

Typically, a travel insurance covers the person during the duration of the travel. However, during this time, it is best to get something that will cover you even before your travel that includes pandemic coverage. For example, someone from your family tested positive for the virus and you are forced to cancel your travel. If this happens, the insurance can reimburse your prepaid arrangements. Thus, it is wise to Invest in travel insurance during this time of uncertainty.

5. Follow the New Normal Protocols

Follow the new normal protocols wherever you go. Remember to always:

Wear mask.
Follow social distancing.
Wash your hands frequently.
Bring an alcohol or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol wherever you go.
Pack medicines and vitamins.

And lastly, always remember to strengthen your immune system by drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.

Happy holidays!

Feature Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Oct

2020

Lessons Learned from COVID-19

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The COVID-19 pandemic took everyone by surprise. No one was fully ready despite numerous warnings from scientists for a possible pandemic for decades now. Moreover, a lot of people dismissed it as an isolated case that would probably be contained in one area, just what happened in the past with the SARS, bird flus and swine flus. But the inevitable happened. The virus spread from Asia to Europe and to the Americas at a very rapid pace. And soon, everyone on the planet just woke up to a whole new world. As of this writing, more than 35 million people around the world has already been infected with over a million deaths. We can no longer undo the past but now is the time to learn the lessons from the devastating experience. As we look forward to reliving our life again in the new normal, here are lessons learned from Covid-19.

1.Health is Wealth.

People don’t generally take care of their wealth especially when young. it is common knowledge that health is the most important thing in life. Yet people only starts thinking about their health when there is already some form of illness or disease. This is because it is hard to resist unhealthy eating habits and behaviors. The pandemic reminded us to take care of our health.

In New York state, more than 80% of the total Covid-19 deaths have underlying illnesses.

Covid-19 has been dubbed as a ‘lifestyle virus’. This is because a great majority of those hospitalized, with severe symptoms and those who died have underlying illnesses. And these underlying illness are mostly lifestyle illnesses, or those illnesses associated with a person’s lifestyle. Hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer are some of the lifestyle illnesses.

If we want to survive this health crisis, it is now time to rethink and change our lifestyle. Develop habits that will improve our immune system so our body can naturally be able to combat viruses and other illnesses.

2. Proper Hygiene

Good personal hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. A simple act as washing your hands with soap and water can be a life-saving action. Not only does it protects you, it also protects others. The practice of good personal hygiene can prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

3. Importance of an Emergency Fund

Because of Covid 19, many people faced reduced hours while some even lost their jobs and businesses. Unfortunately, not all people from around the world received government aid. The pandemic is not simply just a health crisis, it is also a very challenging time financially for most people. Just imagine what happened to those families who do not have an emergency fund set aside.

Going forward, now is the time to seriously consider setting aside a portion of your future income as an emergency fund. The rule of thumb is to save at least 10% of your income a month. The money jar budgeting system is the best guide on how to budget to ensure that you are ready for the next emergency.

4.Importance of Diversification

If you are a stock market investor, you probably watched in horror as the market dropped significantly. Investing in one company or one industry alone would have hit you badly especially if that industry has been greatly hit. Examples of such industries are airlines, tourism and hospitality. But if your portfolio is diversified, like you also have investments in health care or consumer goods, then you have minimized your losses. The market is very volatile and unpredictable. Diversification is the only way to manage risk.

Diversification is also applicable to all kinds of investments from real estate to businesses. For example, you invested all your money in a restaurant chain. And that restaurant closed down because of the lockdown. Another example is what you invested all your money on real estate rental properties. And because of the pandemic, the tenants all left leaving you with no income. And worse, you still have to pay mortgages for the properties. With diversification, all these scenarios could have been prevented. Always remember to not put all your eggs in one basket.

5. Having People and Healthy Relationships

Ever since the outbreak, most people have been spending their time at home. This is the perfect opportunity to spend more time with family and loved ones. It is ideal for those people who have healthy relationships with people close to them. But what about those people who have not so good relationships with their family? Being trapped at home for months with people that you cannot stand and fight with can be a nightmare.

It is the same thing for people who live alone because they don’t have living social interactions with others. In a study done by Martina Luchetti from the Florida State University College of Medicine, they found out that living alone increase the feelings of loneliness.

6. Respecting Other’s Personal Space

Respecting other people’s space is one thing that we normally taken for granted. With Covid-19, we learned how to respect other people’s space. When someone goes near us, we feel uncomfortable. In the same way that they feel uncomfortable too if we get near them. That’s why we become conscious of our space and other people’s space.

7.Having Goals and A Routine

Having daily goals and a routine is good for your mental health. Goals will give you something to look forward to. Instead of dwelling on the uncertainties of the now, your focus shifts to a dream of a better tomorrow. A routine on the other hand is a good way to combat boredom. It is also an effective way to make you feel in control during times of great stress. It will keep you busy and takes your mind off things.

8. Importance of Gratitude

With all the negative things happening around, it is so easy to fall prey into negative thinking. Instead of reading the news or opening your social media account, why not start your day with gratitude. Gratitude shifts thinking away from the negative and into the positive. Instead, gratitude makes you focus on your blessings.

How about you? What lessons have you learned from this whole Covid experience?

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Jul

2020

How to Survive This Economic Crisis

Reading Time: 5 minutes

We are nowhere near the end of the Covid-19 health crisis yet we are faced again with another challenge – the economic crisis that was brought about by this pandemic. Millions of people around the world lost their jobs. Many businesses closed. It will take years before we can ever go back to the way it was before. The challenge now for many is how to survive this economic crisis?

I recently attended an webinar on Transformative Leadership. It was about developing business strategies on how to survive a crisis based on lessons from a leading conglomerate in the country. The key point is transformation. There is no way to survive this crisis without making some changes. Abandon the old model and create a new one. I found the lessons applicable on both businesses and individuals.

Here are my notes on the transformation guide and some insights and lessons on how you can apply them not only in your business but in your personal lives as well:

1. Ensure Financial Sustainability

The very foundation for everyone right now should be financial sustainability. Financial sustainability means being able to meet the cash flow requirements of the operations of the business or the monthly household expenses of the individual. There is no telling until when will this crisis last. So, liquidity is very important. It is time to cut down any unnecessary expenses and preserve cash.

For Businesses: Do you have enough cash? Do you have access to capital to continue operating your business? Do you have enough funds to continue paying your obligations? How to continue earning profit amidst the crisis?

For Individuals: How was your income affected? Do you have enough savings? Do you still have enough money to pay for your monthly household expenses? Are there already warning signs that you are living beyond your means? How to continue earning amidst the crisis?

2. Serve Customers

The customers are the foundation of any business. Knowing and understanding the customer needs at this time is essential for any business.

For Businesses: How will you be able to serve your customers without sacrificing your financial sustainability? There is no point continuing a business without profit. You also need to take into consideration that this is a health crisis. So, it is best to consider how to continue serving customers without putting their health at risk?

For Individuals: If your income was greatly affected by the crisis, it is time to look for other sources of income. Ask yourself, how can I serve others now using the skills and talent that I have? What can you offer to the community? Instead of chasing the money, focus on how you can be of help to others. Money is a by-product of the service that you rendered. The most successful businesses in the world addressed and solved an existing problem.

3. Protect Your People

The employees are the most important resource of any company. In these trying times, it is important that you have motivated and healthy people around you.

For Businesses: How do you protect your workforce? They are the ones who has a direct relationship with the customers; so, it is important that you protect your people. The success of any business heavily relies on customer satisfaction. In order to stay motivated to do their jobs, employees must first feel safe. Is their work environment safe enough?

For Individuals: Protecting your family and those who are dear to you should be one of your main concerns. It is hard to adjust to the new normal but it is the only way to stay healthy and safe during this crisis. Always remember that first and foremost, this is a health crisis.

4. Abandon the Old and Create A New Plan

Change is a necessary part of life. It is crucial for growth and success. However, it is also one of the hardest things in life. There is always that fear of the unknown. That’s why many people choose to stay in their comfort zone simply because it is familiar and comfortable.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 is here to stay. The world will not go back to 2019. Unless your industry benefited from the pandemic, it will be difficult to stay afloat and survive this economic crisis without some changes. Yes, it is ok to abandon the old plan and change to a completely different one.

For businesses: Assess your business model. Is it still applicable? If not, you need to abandon the old business model and create a new business plan for your company that will adhere to the new normal.

For individuals: Was your work greatly affected? Were your future plans and goals disrupted? Instead of merely just waiting for things to go back to normal, it is now time to reassess your goals and make some adjustments or changes. Redesign your life through a bucket list.

5. Come Up with a Transformation Recovery Plan

A total recovery will not happen overnight. Recovery would be done in stages. Without a plan, it will take longer to recover. This is also the time to have tough goals in order to make it through. Remember, your main concern now is SURVIVAL.

For Businesses: The business transformation recovery plan should include strategies and timeline. It should also include procedures and responsibilities. Tough goals include reduction in workforce, following strict schedules and time frames and coming up with new goals that are totally different from the past. Once in place, regular testing and validation should be done to make sure that the plan is working.

For Individuals: The transformation recovery plan for individuals should start by the creation of SMART goals based on the bucket list that you just made. To ensure success, your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based. Tough goals may include doing work that you have never done before.

6. Transform Corporate Culture

Corporate culture pertains to the shared values, beliefs and behaviors of a particular organization. The transformation recovery plan will only be successful if there is cooperation of all members of the organization. It is impossible to do it alone.

For Businesses: There will be a need to retrain people.You need to work hand-in-hand with your staffs. Make sure they understand. Make sure you are on the same page. You need the complete support of the organization to make it through the crisis.

For Individuals: Just like in businesses, the whole family should be in the same page. Each member of the family should understand what is going on. Everyone should do their share for the common goal.

7. Embrace Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is basically using technology to reach customers, transform processes and implement business solutions. The new normal would be heavily dependent online. That’s why, an online presence is essential for survival. Digitize what you can.

For Businesses: Do you already have on online presence? Can you reach your customers online? What part of your business processes can you digitize? Integrate digital technology in several areas in your businesses.

For individuals: Whether you are selling products or offering your services, you need to take advantage of the digital world. If you are looking into changing careers, there are lots of courses available online. The possibilities are all in your finger tips.

Good luck and let us all emerge from this economic crisis successfully!

Feature Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Images.

Jul

2020

The New Normal in Air Travel

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Many countries are slowly opening up their economies. Soon, air travel will be possible for us who are itching to be in a new environment. However, the new normal in air travel may not be as convenient as before. Safety precautions will surely intensify in order to prevent spreading the virus. Strict measures for cleanliness are already implemented. Expect temperature checks to be part of the routine too.

Our world is continually changing. We need to adapt. Transportation and travel in general will never be the same. Going to the airpot and flying a plane will be a much different experience from now on. Several guidelines can keep travelers stay healthy and safe throughout the experience. Here are some ways on how it will change.

Attracting Customers

The airline industry has been in a slump due to the pandemic. Only major airline companies will be able to survive in these conditions. But staying in business remains a challenge if they don’t attract customers to fly again.

Many travelers are still hesitant to pursue air travel. Customer confidence can be boost through cheap fares and passenger safety measures. Those bored or brave enough may take advantage of low fares. However, these offers may not last long. The implementation of more measures to ensure customer safety in airports and the airplane itself will mean added costs for airline companies.

Stricter Airport Safety Measures

Expect strict moderation of airport activity in the new normal. This is to ensure cleanliness and personal safety of all passengers. Here are some changes that you can expect when you arrive at the airport:

Waiting areas outside the airport
No mask, no entrance policy
Face masks are required at all times
Temperature checks at entrances (thermal scans)
Hand sanitizers at interaction points (e.g., ticket counter, baggage counter, etc.) and public places
Checkpoints will have transparent barriers (e.g., baggage counters, check-in/check-out counters, etc.)
Except for very small or light bags, baggage check-ins will be encouraged
Regular disinfecting schedules
Social distancing signages and monitoring
Lounges may remain closed to avoid people gathering closely
Quarantine area (for further testing of persons who have higher temperatures)
Social distancing in shuttle buses

To lessen contact, digital boarding passes thru online check-in will be encouraged. Expect everyone to be wearing face masks and maybe even full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Masks and protective gear is part of the new normal for air travel.
Photo by Camila Perez on Unsplash.

Inflight Safety Measures

Air travel safety measures will surely be amped up. Expect these changes when you board your plane.

Medical evaluation before and after flight assignments for all crew members
Flight crew in full PPE (masks, face shields, gloves and PPE uniforms)
No mask, no fly policy will be imposed
Passengers will walk through a disinfection tent/mats when boarding the plane
Thermal scans and social distancing procedures will be observed
All passengers should keep their face masks on during the flight
Hand washing practices will be strictly observed
Meals will be served in secure packaging to minimize contact
Passengers will be seated one seat apart from each other
Scheduled disinfection, especially for longer flights

All these measures may make you feel like you are sitting in a hospital instead of in an airplane. It is better to be extra careful than to suffer dire consequences.

Cabin Safety & Cleanliness

One of the reasons why we may opt out of air travel is cabin cleanliness. This issue is now on top of the industry’s agenda as one way to ensure safety and attract customers to fly once more.

Airplanes are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that remove particulate and bacterial contamination. These deliver the same air quality as a hospital operating room. They utilize 50% filtered air and 50% outside air in continuous circulation around the cabin. That amounts to about 20-30 air changes in the cabin per hour or air changes every 3-4 minutes. The direction of air flow is also from top-down. This limits the spread of the virus.

Having gaps in between passengers ensures minimal contact. For economy class passengers, this will feel like being in business class. The high seat back also gives added protection. Plus, with your mask on for added safety, airplanes will be relatively safe to travel in.

Expect More Adjustments

Airline companies will be constantly observing and evaluating these procedures. Expect to find new modifications to these procedures and requirements for safer air travel as the industry tries to adapt to the new normal. If you are not ready for air travel yet, a road trip is a good option for a change of scenery.

In the meantime, do your part to ensure your own health and safety. Don’t forget to prepare safety and health care essentials for your household. Whenever you are out and about, continue wearing your mask, use your hand sanitizer to disinfect and practice proper hand washing.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash.

May

2020

Etiquette Rules for the New Normal

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Nations around the world are beginning to ease down restrictions. More and more people can now go out. As you take your first step into the world, bear in mind that it is no longer the same world before the lockdown. There are certain rules that need to be followed for what is considered the new normal. Here are etiquette rules that you must abide to as part of the new normal post lockdown:

Hygiene

The practice of good hygiene is essential for your health and other people’s health. It will lower your risk and help prevents the spread of the disease.

The following are the basic etiquette for proper hygiene practices:

Always wash your hands regularly. If soap and water is not available, you can use alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
Practice social distancing.
Turn away from other people when you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching communal surfaces.
Dispose used tissues properly.
Do not share cups, glasses and utensils.
Always keep your home and work area clean.
Stay at home if you are sick.

Greetings

It is time to temporary forego customs and traditions for everyone’s safety. The new normal is all about touchless greetings.

If you meet someone, do the following:

Avoid physical contact. No hugging, kissing or giving handshakes.
Use other non-verbal cues when greeting like a tiny wave, a wink or a gentle nod.
Learn how other cultures greet each other. You can bow with hands by our side like the Koreans and the Japanese. You can do the Wai like the Thais by pressing your hands together like a prayer and slightly bowing.
Make it a habit to put your hands behind your back or firmly in your pocket.

Queuing

Queuing is something that we experience on a regular basis. We fall in line when we go to the bank, grocery, elevators, gasoline station, cafeteria, movie house and even to the public toilets. It is something that we are used to doing. However, expect additional queues longer lines post lockdown.

If you find yourself in a queue, do practice the following good behaviour:

Follow social distancing. Don’t stand so close to others. Be mindful of the gap. Respect their personal space. By doing so, you are protecting yourself and others.
Do not cut in line. Get rid of your sense of entitlement. What you need to do is equally important as the others. If you are in a hurry, you should have been there earlier than the rest. It is rude to skip lines even if you know somebody who is already waiting in the queue.
Keep your negative emotions to yourself. It is understandable that you are frustrated with the hassle and the long wait but you need to maintain your composure. Be patient.
Choose your line. Don’t stand in the middle of two separate lines. Just choose one. Stick to it and wait for your turn.
Offer your place to somebody else who needs it more like a pregnant woman or elderly. Another example is if you are in a grocery and your cart is full while the one behind you is just holding an item or two. A simple act of kindness especially in these difficult times can go a long way.

Wearing Face Mask

Wearing face masks is now going to be the new norm. A face mask serves a physical barrier and it helps slow the spread of the disease. It is not so much for the protection of the wearer from getting the virus but rather it is to prevent carriers from spreading the disease. After all, a great majority of people who are infected are asymptomatic.

Here is the etiquette for wearing face mask:

Be a good citizen and always wear a face mask when going out especially if you have any respiratory symptoms.
Wear the face mask properly.
Look people in the eyes when you are talking to them. It is a sign of respect.
Learn to smile with your eyes.
Do not remove your face mask when talking to others.

Stay safe everyone!

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Environmental, 0 comments

Apr

2020

Lockdown and Mental Health: How to Cope with Stress, Fear and Anxiety

Reading Time: 2 minutes

We are in the midst of global pandemic with billions of people under some form of lockdown, with no end in sight as cases around the world continue to grow. Experts are saying that we are going to be in it for the long haul unless they find a vaccine soon. As people around the world are forced to stay indoors, there is now a growing concern about the people’s mental health. During this lockdown, it is important to know how to cope with stress, fear and anxiety to prevent mental health deterioration.

The Lancet, one of the world’s oldest general medical journal published a study on the negative psychological impact of the quarantine such as anger, confusion, fear, anxiety, loneliness and stress. Hans Kluge, the director of the European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries to prepare medical services for mental health.

During this time, it is important for your general well-being that you be able to handle the stress. Here are ways address your mental health issues and cope up with the fear, stress and anxiety that this lockdown has caused:

1. Keep Yourself Healthy

The COVID-19 has no cure yet. Scientists all over the world are searching for possible treatments. What hospitals are doing right now are just providing comfort and alleviating symptoms by trying some western and traditional remedies. What you can do aside from proper hand-washing and social distancing is to take care of your body by boosting your immune system. Boosting your immune system is the best way to combat diseases. Doing things like exercise, getting enough sleep, eating the right kind of foods and drinking enough water can keep your body healthy. This will make a big difference on how you feel and will help lessen your fears.

2. Maintain a Regular Routine

A daily routine can help you cope up with stress because you know exactly what to do and what to expect in your day. It reduces stress because everything becomes automatic. Your body will remember what you need to do because it becomes a habit.

3. Stay Connected

Humans are social beings. A strong positive social support can help you go through this storm. Don’t just watch TV or play video games the whole day. You need to also connect with others. Spend quality time and have meaningful conversations with people living with you. Take advantage of technology. Stay in touch with your friends, make a video call.

4. Restrict Media Exposure

It is totally understandable that you want to stay updated with what is happening around you during these troubled times. However, too much of anything can be quite overwhelming especially if it is negative news. Restrict media exposure. Listen and read credible sources only. Don’t just read and believe everything.

5. Do something productive

Make use of your idle time by doing something productive. Is there anything that you have been wanting to do but cannot because you just didn’t have the time? Now is the perfect time to do it. You can play with your children, organize your wardrobe or you can declutter your home. You can read a book, learn a new skill or improve your expertise. The possibilities are endless.

6. Practice Gratitude

The practice of gratitude during difficult times is the best way to cope with fear and anxiety. Gratitude has the power to heal. It gives you hope and diverts your focus from the negative to the positive things in your life. It makes you feel blessed. Looking at things differently can affect the direction of your life. So, start a gratitude journal now.

Feature Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay Images

Mar

2020

Proper Mindset in Times of Crisis

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Everyone has to go through a crisis in life. It can be the loss of a loved one, a financial issue, a health problem, a conflict with a colleague, a lack of motivation or a pandemic. Whatever it is, it is all part of life. It can lead to despair and anxiety but with the proper mindset and correct strategies in place, you can emerge out of it as a better version of yourself.

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Problems in life are actually opportunities in disguise.

Every adversity is an opportunity for you to change your life for the better. It allows you to figure out what you are capable of. Growth only happens if you successfully navigate through them and learn the lessons in the process. It is going to be tough but it is possible to go through it successfully. All you need is to have the correct mindset.

Your mindset is the way you look at things. You need to believe that you can overcome whatever it is that you are going through right now. Believe in yourself. Remember that your mindset affects the direction of your life.

Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right.
– Henry Ford

Here are things that you can do to develop the proper mindset in times of crisis:

1. Acceptance

There are some problems that you can quickly solve but there are others that will be beyond your control. You may feel helpless. You may also feel anguish and pain. That is ok. You just have to learn and accept. Accept things that you cannot change. No matter how much you stress yourself about the situation, you need to move on.

2. Practice Gratitude

The practice of gratitude can help you through tough times. In fact, it is essential. Gratitude will help you look for the silver lining in every situation. Instead of focusing on the negative, gratitude will help you identify and magnify the blessings. It will make you feel optimistic and hopeful because your focus will shift from the negative to the positive. Start your gratitude journal now.

3. Have a Positive Attitude

It is easy to have a positive attitude when things are doing well. It is very difficult to do so when things are tough. Rather, it is much easier to drown in despair and self-pity. No matter how hard, keep in mind that the only road to a better life is to have a positive attitude.

You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you feel and do about what happens to you.
— Harold S. Kushner

Your mindset and attitude about life are both very important. Your mindset will affect the direction of your life whether it is happiness, good health, financial abundance or success that you are seeking.

Change Your Mindset from P overty Mindset to Abundance Mindset

4. Practice Mindfulness

Learn to quiet your mind. Meditate. Find calmness within yourself. The practice of mindfulness helps you deal with the negative emotions like fear, panic, sadness and pain. It is very effective in reducing stress and anxiety. It will also help you get in touch with your inner self. If you need assistance on how to practice meditation and mindfulness, sometimes it helps to seek the help of professionals who can teach you the practice of positive self-transformation.

5. Adopt and Act on The Situation

Instead of waiting for things to be better, do whatever you can to make it better now. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Your future begins today. Get rid of your stubbornness. Learn to adapt to the situation.

Just take for example the COVID-19 pandemic, Wherever you are in the world right now, you are affected. While a great number of people are not infected by the virus physically, the economic and even psychological impact has greatly affected millions of people around the world. You may be powerless to eliminate the problem but you can do something to lessen the impact in your life. You can keep yourself healthy by following the basic rule to combat diseases or do some simple things to improve your finances during a crisis.

If you can follow these things, one day you will be surprised that you have passed the crisis successfully. You have become a better person. You are now more mature to face future challenges.

Feature Image by Motivators world from Pixabay Images

Feb

2020

Basic Health Rule to Combat Viruses

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As the number of persons infected and the death toll from the coronavirus continues to climb, the global community is now becoming more and more worried. As the virus spreads, the question in everyone’s mind is how to protect one’s self? The only way to protect one’s self is to follow the basic health rule to combat viruses, bacterias and other diseases.

The World Health Organization already issued standard precautions that must be done. These include practicing basic hygiene such regular hand washing, refraining from touching the face and avoiding contact with people who are infected. Following these guidelines would help prevent the spread of infection.

Immune System

Setting the coronavirus aside, did you know that the human body is exposed to millions of viruses and bacteria every single day? We don’t get sick because our immune system is doing a remarkable job defending our body from harmful microorganisms. Your immune system is your body’s defense against invaders. Check out the video for more information about how the immune system works.

Video Credit: Science ABC

The human body is guarded by a group of complex network of cells collectively known as the immune system whose main task is to defend the body against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. As long as they are doing their job, we will be free from illnesses and diseases.

Here is an illustration of how the immune system worked on the novel coronavirus outbreak:

Not all people who got exposed with infected persons get sick
There are many cases of people who got infected that recovered from the virus despite the fact that there is no identified treatment yet
The 1-2% that succumbed to the virus had underlying medical conditions. This means that they immune system are already weak in the first place

The point is there is a way to protect yourself from the COVID-19. Instead of creating unnecessary panic, focus on keeping yourself healthy by boosting your immune system. That is the basic rule of health.

The basic rule of health is to boost your immune system.

Help your immune system do its job by doing these simple things that can do wonders to your health:

1. Get enough sleep

Sleep is a vital factor in helping your immune system stay strong. Unfortunately, it is often neglected by many. The body repairs cells and tissues while we sleep. Without enough sleep, the body will have a hard time fighting infections. Aside form physical health, sleep is also a big contributing factor to our mental health. Sleep improves your memory and problem-solving skills. It keeps you alert and motivated. It also prevents depression. Sleep requirement varies per age group. Check the National Sleep Foundation to determine how much sleep do you need per day.

2. Drink plenty of water

About 60% of our body is made up of water. Without water, every cell in our body will cease to function. Although the amount of water that you need to drink varies per individual depending on certain factors such as lifestyle and the weather; on average, a person needs to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day.

Health Benefits:

aids in digestion
boosts energy
fights off illness
flushes out toxins
helps remove wastes
improves brain function and blood circulation
maintains moisture in body tissues
prevents dehydration
promotes weight loss
protects spinal cord and joints
removes bad breath
regulates body temperature
slows down aging

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich with vitamins and minerals that the body need to stay healthy. They also contain fiber which helps the body absorb vital nutrients and promotes regular bowel movements. They help you maintain a healthy weight. Fruits and vegetables also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. And most importantly, a healthy diet protects you from diseases. You need to feed your immune system healthy food for them to do their job properly.

4. Exercise Regularly

You want to feel better, livelier and more energetic? Then, exercise! Exercise increases your energy levels. It helps maintain your weight and helps prevent diseases. It also keeps your brain healthy and also reduce negative feelings like depression, stress and anxiety.

5. Stop smoking

Smoking harms your immune system. It weakens your immune response especially in your respiratory health thus increasing your risk in developing respiratory illnesses. Do take note that coronavirus is a respiratory virus that attacks the lower respiratory tract. The last thing that you want right now is to make yourself susceptible to the virus.

In addition, smoking also damages your antibodies in the bloodstream. This will result to more severe infections. Any wounds and illnesses will take longer to heal because of the damage.

6. Take lots of Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps support your immune system. It is essential not only for growth but also in healing wounds and repairing cells in the body. Unfortunately, the body does not make its own Vitamin C so you can only get it from your food intake. Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, strawberries and kiwi. You can also found it in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and beans. You can also take Vitamin C supplements.

Stay healthy everyone!

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Physical, 1 comment