Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in posting, between COVID-19, work, being a teaching assistant, and beginning the dissertation phase of my PhD journey, things have been a little crazy, to say the least. But I'm back, and I wanted to suggest 5 ways/tips/suggestions on keeping your sanity during the pandemic until restrictions are lifted.

1. Doing some type of physical activity

Okay, soooo I know everyone preaches on doing some sort of physical activity to help with your mental health and to get out the house (as long as you're are following the CDC social distancing guidelines). But let me tell you, doing yoga, challenging and committing myself with fitness challenges, and going out for daily walks/hikes with Jade has been amazing! I know gyms are closed for now, and being outdoors in public areas can be challenging, but I'm listing some of my favorite apps and Instagram accounts to utilize!

- Aaptiv (Instagram and App)

- Nike Training Club (App)

- My Brown Box (Instagram)

These apps and accounts not only do workouts, ranging from bodyweight to needing equipment, but they include yoga for all levels.

2. Virtual "Gatherings"

I know a lot of people are "Zoom" out from classes and jobs going virtual, but using Zoom, Skype, FaceTime can be great to have human interaction (with the people you actually like). A lot of people are having virtual happy hours, book clubs, wine tastings, networking, and of course, connecting with family and friends...which is what I've been doing with family and friends back in Michigan. A lot of zoos and aquariums have virtual health & wellness sessions, like the Georgia Aquarium where you can do follow a yoga instructor and watch whale sharks swim behind her.

3. Learn a New Skill

This does not mean you need to build a business or be "productive" during quarantine like all the social media posts imply. The quarantine can be a bittersweet thing and present the opportunity for those to find a passion for something they weren't aware of before. If you want to become an entrepreneur, great! If you want to use this time to decompress mentally and relax, awesome! Don't let social media or others dictate how you should be spending your time during the quarantine! Some examples of learning a new skill could be:

- Cooking

- Sketching/drawing, painting

- Sewing

- Investing

- Coding

- Skills from DIY projects

4. House Work

I know this can seem less than ideal to do, but now is the time to reorganize different areas of your home. I normally prefer to reorganize my office/study area and do yard work. Some areas you can reorganize, revamp, or do whatever you've been wanting to do with it can include:

- Empty bedrooms

- Front and/or backyard

- Living room

- Basement (if you have one)

The good thing about these rooms is you can reorganize them into a productive or "safe place" for yourself to read, work, just need alone time and more.

5. Self-care

To me, this is the most important tip because it's so necessary in this crazy world we live in. This is a stressful time we're living, and to me, self-care is so important to our overall well-being. However, you like to take care of yourself, do it. I listed a few of my favorite ways.

- Learning and/or staying consistent with your skincare routine

So I love e.l.f.'s face products, such as their Hydrating Bubble Mask, Nourishing Night Cream, Shine Eraser (for when our skin gets a little too oily for our liking), Holy Hydration Face Cream for my day moisturizer. Oh, this is also not a sponsored ad, I just like their products. But find what products and routine work for you! I wash my face while taking a shower and won't rinse my face until I'm about to rinse my body off, then I'll put the Holy Hydration Face Cream to help with the dry areas of my face.

- Haircare

I'm one of those people that have done unnecessary heat damage...and lost my natural curls, and now I'm in the transition phase to get my curls back poppin! Since we've gone into self-quarantine out here in PA, I haven't put any heat on my hair, just been letting my hair be natural and airdry. What I do appreciate about being in quarantine is learning what products, supplements, oils, etc., work best with my hair to support its healthiness but also, repair and grow. Some products that have worked well for me are Optimal Solutions Extra Strength Hair, Skin and Nails Dietary Supplement, OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo and Conditioner, OGX Coconut Curls Leave-In Conditioner, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and, last but not least, Eleganty Beauty Line's Hair Bonnet Hood to catalyze the deep conditioning and oil treatments.

- Mani and Pedi

I miss my nail tech! He knows exactly what I want, the color he thinks is best for whatever I have going on, but the shop is closed until further notice. Le sigh. But, the nail shops being closed doesn't mean you don't owe it to yourself to receive a mani and/or pedi. The dollar store has many items that you can use for a manicure and pedicure, and believe me, after you complete it, you'll feel so good.

So those are my tips/suggestions on keeping your sanity! You all stay safe out there!

- Candace (@TheStudentForLife)