Since it comes as no surprise, we are all currently experiencing a worldwide pandemic that has ultimately altered our everyday lives. Not only has it taken us away from our daily routines– but this horrible virus has also taken away many precious lives, our friends and family, and many of our freedoms that we often have taken for granted. In this time of uncertainty, it is important to support one another and provide positivity to those around us. Trending in the media, we have seen various uplifting hashtags such as– #StandTogether, #AloneTogether that provides emphasis on being there for your community. But what we neglect to see are trending hashtags that provide emphasis on being there for yourself, supporting yourself, and providing positivity for yourself. How are we supposed to uplift others, if we can’t even hold ourselves up? Here are 3 ways to help you get started:

1. Start off by making your bed (Stick to a routine)

A few months back, while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled upon a video of a US Navy Admiral delivering a speech with the intention to keep others motivated. The speech starts off with the sentence “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed”. He continues, “If you make your bed, you will have accomplished the first task of the day”. He goes on to explain that this first accomplished task will give you a small sense of pride, will encourage you to do another task, and leading to many tasks completed, and ultimately reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. During this time of our “new normal”, making your bed in the morning will allow you to stick to a routine from the moment you wake up. It will hopefully provide that small sense of pride, and encourage you to accomplish another task, leading to a day full of tasks completed. Set a plan and deliver!

If You Want to Change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed –

William McRaven, US Navy Admiral

2. Open the door…

…of your house: Get outside! Go on a walk with your family (or dog), start working on the garden you’ve put off for months, mow the lawn, catch some rays. Not only has sunlight and being around trees been proven to benefit your mood, but exercise will help as well. Exercise is prescribed to treat mild to moderate depression and has an extremely positive effect on the human mind and body. Gyms and fitness studios across the nation have created easy access to simple at home work-outs, allowing people to remain active and enjoy a mental escape.

…to new opportunities: As we aimlessly sit at home, start looking into ways we can help our community at this time. Whether it’s donating to food banks, volunteering your time in the community (as needed), or providing support to others in any way possible.

3. Hang up and hang out. (Decompress)

While sitting on the couch for hours, it’s easy to get sucked in o social media, and soon becoming trapped. This trap can lead to the feeling of being left out, comparing ourselves to others, and leaves some more susceptible to cyberbullying. Don’t get me wrong, social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it is important to “meaningfully connect”. Make a plan/schedule to video chat with others, making sure to embrace every moment we get to spend with them. When that scheduled time is over, hang up and hang out.

You always have to remember to take care of you first and foremost, because when you stop taking care of yourself, you get out of balance and you really forget how to take care of others. -Jada Pinkett Smith

REMEMBER: Individuality is important here. A situation for one person does not always align with the next. Our schedules are different, our lives are different, our goals are different. Don’t feel pressured to change the world just because someone else wants to. Focus on YOU.

-Kimmy Cummings, Triad Team Content Creator