NEXT 15 DAYS


NEXT 15 DAYS AND BEYOND

While there is a huge inflow of precautionary measures and advises coming your way to face the covid 19, I would recommend how to keep your mind calm and positive and also spend the time with your family as a whole in the next 15 days and beyond.

In situations like the present one, it is best to sit and think how this can be converted into an opportunity to make up for all the lost time, or all the things you have been wanting to do when you get more time at home.

Now that you shall be working from home and children are also going to be there as schools and colleges are going to be closed and going to malls and outdoor is not an option, it will be very good to do things together rather than spend time on whatsapp and with gadgets.

Here is a list of things you can do together as a family and in the house and keep yourself occupied and also strengthen your mind and your immune system.
  1. 1   After learning about all the precautionary measures from the respective authorities, keep your phones away and do not read every forward that comes on whatsapp.
  2. 2.     As a family sit together and have a very calm discussion on how you can divide the time to do many things together and use the days to play, pray, meditate, do yoga, watch movies and also cook and clean together. At first you may find a little resistance as children would want to use the ipads and phones or watch their own series. However I am sure that with a little bit of motivational talk and pep talk you shall be able to bring them to do things together.
  3. 3.     Take out all the indoor games that you have stacked up inside the cupboard or in your storage. Clean them properly and together decide which one you would like to play together. Games like Monopoly, Ludo, Carrom, Picnic, Pictionary, may sound outdated, but if you have them, this would be a good time to start playing them.
  4. 4.     Doing simple yoga which you know or you may have learnt, especially pranayama will help you build your immune system and feel good and happy the entire day.
  5. 5.     This also would be a good time to clean up the wardrobes together and using the cleanliness process to make your wardrobe clutter free and looking spic and span. Similarly the entire house starting with one corner each day. Remember you have time on your hand which can be used wisely and effectively to help you sustain and go through this period with calmness. Do not get obsessive about anything
  6. 6.     Talking together regarding your family, ancestors, your work, school, college friends will be great. In short a good time to share thoughts and feelings with no worries that one has to do homework or finish the chores or go to work etc. So a very good family time to discuss calmly and improve on the listening skills.
  7. 7.     Cooking together as takeout might not be preferred. Simple cooking and trying to get off the junk and the takeout habit. There can be no better time than to prepare healthy meals as a family. Involve your children, give them simple things to do, encourage and excite them. Bake that fruit cake together which you have been wanting to do since sometime or any other dish. You can plan one for each day.
  8. 8.     Sharpening the five senses is the main aspect to learn to live in the present which is called mindfulness. This could be a great opportunity to practice mindfulness by sharing when you sit together as to how you heard the birds chirping, or how you could identified the fragrance around and how you were able to learn which spice was used in the food today. You could actually play a game of who could identify the spice used today, or who could hear the sparrow or the sun bird singing today, who was able to experience the touch of towel and the soap, who was able to find the misplaced item which the family was searching from a long time, who was able to identify the musician etc. This on a daily basis will sharpen the senses and create a habit of lifetime to be mindful and present in all that you do.
  9. 9.     Listening to music would go hand in hand with all the activities you are doing.
  10. 10.                        Great time to catch up on reading interesting books and facts, not regarding the virus but many other titles you have been wanting to read, but had no time.
  11. 11.                        Keep timing for using the phone or video chats. Definitely refrain from any panic or negativity as all good things happen when we are calm and positive and keep taking the necessary measures but not get anxious about it.
  12. 12.                        Pray for the world as a family. Prayers have a very strong effect when done together and praying along with gratitude can create wonders to the environment, the world, the universe. Start with praying for yourself, the family, the neighborhood, the city, the country, the world, the universe. Believe me this hardly takes five minutes. Give gratitude to everything and everyone around you for this safe and secured home and environment that you have. The food you get and all the comfort that are there in your house and the love and attention you get from your family and your parents. Gratitude to all the people in the country, who are working to keep it safe and protected.
  13. 13.                        A very good time to also sit and look at all the albums and the pictures of the functions and good times together.
  14. 14.                        Watch some good movies together, every family member gets to select one each day and the rest would watch no matter whether it is their choice. Having a discussion on the message of the film would be adding icing to the cake.
  15. 15.                        A good time to set things right like fixing that little nail or mending the fold of the curtain or little things which were pending and what you can do it yourself.

I have given above broad categories of what you can do and make turn this time into a great family bonding time. If you break the above into single activities, I am sure you shall find more than 100 things you can do together.

Keep this as a regular weekend activity even after we are all out of this phase, which I am sure we shall be with all the precautions, positivity and prayers.

Parents, you are the biggest role model. So how you respond to the situation and how you communicate to the children will leave a lasting impression for generations.

If you still feel anxious and need any counselling we are open for online video counselling. Please call on 9322851484 to schedule your session.
Salma Prabhu

Comments

Aamir said…
Great good guidelines. Very helpful.
March 14, 2020 at 3:34 AM
Prajakta D. "All Is Will". said…
Wonderful enlightenment.. simply explained, very helpful..
March 14, 2020 at 3:38 AM
Prajakta D. "All Is Will". said…
Wonderful enlightenment.. simply explained, very helpful..
March 14, 2020 at 3:38 AM
Sudha Ramaswamy said…
Very thought fully written Salma...Thank you for these valuablw tips...
March 14, 2020 at 10:49 AM
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