Little Things You Can Do For Yourself and Others Right Now
Wild days for sure. Everything feeling a little out of control, yes? We came across this article from @thethirty with lovely suggestions of small things you can do for yourself and others right now to give yourself a little pick me up . Feeling inspired, we asked the lovely ladies of Canyonhaus to share their own suggestions.
**Don't forget that it's also completely fine to while away an hour or a day and do nothing - be easy on yourself, if you need to be. It's always ok to take time off and reset! What are your favorite new/old discoveries and traditions (for 'up time' and 'down time') that are getting you through? Other than Tiger King, of course....Duh.
Tori
If you have any kind of fruit trees or herbs growing in your garden (I have a stockpile of lemons and rosemary), put a basket outside to share your bounty with neighbors who may be walking by. Post on Nextdoor/Instagram stories or your neighborhood Facebook group to let people know you have plenty to share.
If you don't have any herbs, or very limited space to grow, how about starting a potted garden? Fig Earth Supply and Plant Material are two independent garden shops where you can get everything you need to flex your green-ish thumb.
Call me quarantine jaded (that's a thing now, right?) but I'm so tired of banana bread. While always yummy and comforting, it feels like something different is in order. How about try this recipe for lemon tea cake instead?
In my neighborhood, we have implemented a Saturday night singalong. You can read about it here. There's no better way to uplift your spirits and feel connected to other people without ever having to leave your house. We are doing it again this week and the canyon is all a buzz!
Put on some nice. music, open your window and TAKE A NAP! That's pure luxury!
Kathleen
The Best intimate concerts:
https://www.npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts/
At home yoga with my friend Alex - I love the way she does her virtual classes and it is donation only:
https://www.alexdawsonyoga.com/
The Broad Museum and their amazing “Un-Private Collection“ of artists conversations available on YouTube:
Deborah B.
I taught a yoga class for a few close friends on Zoom the other night. It was heaven! I'll be doing that regularly because the combination of practicing together with some of my fave peeps as well as providing a real service to them really lifted my spirits.
Daily reading of spiritual texts and meditation with my cup of coffee in the morning has always been a staple. But these days, it is essential to my mental health.
I'm listening to podcasts on my daily walks, and of course calling and checking in with the people I love helps me feel less isolated.
Debbie L.
I LOVE the Moth Radio Hour...
I have admired Amanda Giacomini who founded the 10,000 Buddhas Project for some time and it was a bit of a dream come true to have her guide me through a wonderful yoga practice yesterday morning. She teaches a gentle yoga class Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30-10:30. Her husband, MC Yogi, teaches a Vinyasa class on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 am. Their classes are $15 and there are packages available also.
This morning, several of my cousins on the East Coast (who I haven't seen in decades!) and I began exchanging images of the actual recipe cards (remember those?!) from our parents and grandparents. We all went back and forth for hours this morning reconnecting and recalling memories of growing up and our summers spent together.
Rinat
Our kids are writing notes to deliver to all of older neighbors to ask if they need any help, like walking their dogs or moving the trash cans out to the street. More than anything, we don't want them to feel alone and want to show our kids how there are practical things they can do to help during this challenging time.
Download the "Houseparty" and "Psych!" apps on your phone and play virtual games with your friends.
Listen to the podcast This is Love It's a wonderful antidote to the current stress. They tell wonderful stories of all different kinds of love.
Genevieve
Arts and crafts! I dug out and dusted off my watercolors and made a personalized birthday card for my mom, my sister organized her photo albums and made a really cute incense holder from some modeling clay in our art kit. Check out this beginner’s kit hereXXXX
Find workout videos online, on your phone, or on your smart TV - Yoga with Adriene has a killer 30-day yoga challenge on her YouTube channel; the Down Dog App is a great customizable yoga practice app that’s currently free through July; or Modo Yoga, which has three studios in LA, is doing live virtual studio streaming from 7am-8:30pm, 75 classes a week! Since gyms are closed and social distancing is the new norm, we can't hit the gym like usual. I've been doing easy stuff like gentle stretching and beginner yoga, which helps keep the cabin fever crazies at bay...
Organize your closet! I did a deep purge of my dresser/storage/closet which was long overdue and felt great. Marie Kondo is on Netflix if you need a little motivational boost! If you clean out your pantry, see where you can donate non-perishables or necessary clothing items, etc.
PLUS! Here are some suggestions for the smaller humans in your life…
Audible is free right now!
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