Party For One: Enjoying Healthy Downtime Activities
For some reason, having time to spend with yourself gets a bad rap. Perhaps it's because our social media feeds are bombarded with pictures of everyone else appearing to be having a lot more fun with a lot more people than we are. But remember the difference between perception and reality. Most pictures on social media are not posted in real time; most likely, the very moment your best friend is posting vacation photos, they are home by themselves too. Plus, a person’s external presentation, the highlight reel of what they choose to show us, is not the true story of their lives. Their problems and struggles might be different than yours, but very few lives are perfect. While it’s natural to feel a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), it’s best to live a life filled with the best balance for you – the right mixture of social experiences and time alone to relax, recharge, catch-up and grow.
Self-care is essential to a productive and fulfilling life. It's even more important during times when social distancing is called for. Here are just a few ways you can switch gears from FOMO to JOMO (joy of missing out):
At Home & Quiet Activities
Listen to a podcast, Ted Talk or documentary
Create some art: knit/crochet/paint/sculpt/craft
Play chess, a board or a card game with a roommate, family member, or even a friend online
Meditate
Stretch and/or do some light Yoga
Read a book or a magazine
Write – a blog, an essay, a short story – go wherever the muse takes you
You can share it if you like – or just keep it for yourself like a diary entry
Make a list of everything you’re grateful for and write down your goals
Look on MeetUp.com or Seattle Recreation Leagues to find an interest group/event to join
Prep for meals -- look up a new recipe – or just experiment in the kitchen by tuning what’s available into something new
Learn something new (download a language app or a memory improvement game)
Plan a trip (for when it’s safe to travel)
Write out your schedule and routine for the week ahead; envision how you will maintain it
Take a short nap
Go over and personalize your devices’ settings, update your Calendar, go for Inbox Zero, back up your computer files
Find inspiration in music
Clean the house – while listening to music, a podcast or audio book – or just enjoy the silence
Organize your home (drawers, purse, backpack, closet, desktop, car, etc.)
Clean yourself up (shower, shave, brush teeth, launder clothes)
Remember hobbies you used to love – try them again
Think about hobbies you’ve wanted to pursue, but kept putting off
Call an old friend
Consider starting a “side hustle” -- for some extra cash or just the fun of it all
Investigate networking opportunities -- in your current field or an industry you want to learn more about
Hand write Thank You notes -- remember how it felt to receive a sincere gesture of gratitude? Surprise someone by paying it back to whoever helped you at some point and brightened up your day.
Outside Activities
Grow and care for a new plant
Take a walk – around the neighborhood or find a destination like the park or waterfront
Go the gym
Visit a meditation center or place of worship
Donate your time to a philanthropic cause
Go to the movies, a concert or poetry reading -- yes, it’s OK to do these alone
Find a place far from the city lights and enjoy some star gazing
Explore free and inexpensive events in the community (dancing at Century Ballroom, indoor climbing at Seattle Bouldering Project, sailing at the Center for Wooden Boats, Movies in the Park, etc.)
Tips
Deep sleep is important for both mental and physical health! Learn how to wind down your body and brain before bed:
Unplug – avoid over-stimulating music, movies, video games and TV shows
If you must exercise in the evening, avoid rigorous activity an hour before bed
Taper off food (2-3 hours before bed) and drink (3-4 hours before bed)
Follow the same routine every night (brushing teeth, checking the door lock, setting your alarm, etc.), this cues your subconscious to start winding down.
Avoid sleeping in/over sleeping
Find an inspiring reason to get out of bed in the morning
A delicious cup of coffee
Your favorite morning TV show
A power walk or trip to the gym
A power scroll through your socials
Watch that late-night show you DVR’d the night before
Don’t Isolate Yourself - maintain positive personal relationships. Prioritize talking to someone you care about daily or as frequently as possible for each of you - facetime, phone calls, Marco Polo’s (video chats), text messages, etc.
Watch your negative self-talk -- fill your thoughts with positive affirmations versus negative, self-defeating energy. Be your own cheering section!