A NEW NORMAL

a new noRmal SB LIFE & STYLE wellness

Written by Jill de Jong Photographed by Greg Hinsdale

The whole world has been tossed upside down — social distancing, mandated lockdowns, requisite masks, and unusually empty shelves at the supermarket. What was once considered content for a fictional movie all of a sudden became our reality. An unprecedented time that will be marked in history.

We hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us, but regardless things are different. We hear people talk about “the new normal” and we don’t know exactly what that means yet. Even though we are all in this together, we have our own unique experience of this time. Some have lost a loved one to the virus, some have lost their job, while others have enjoyed spending quality time with family and the flexibility of working from home.

For all of us it has been a time of reflection, of going within, dealing with many emotions and new stresses, figuring out the best way to move forward. When we are not part of the hustle and bustle, we are home and sit with ourselves. What do we do and how do we spend our time? What have you learned about yourself?

What if…this first part of the year has prepared us to live more authentically. Meaning, doing more of the things that matter most to your heart. Sometimes we need restrictions to make us feel how much freedom we have. We need loss to cherish all that we have. We need to get lost in order to find ourselves. What if “the new normal” is not decided by outside circumstances but created by you; “your new normal.”

At the beginning of 2020, we set goals for the year, made travel plans, had the best intentions to exercise more and eat healthier, yet there is a good chance those plans were disrupted when COVID-19 came to visit.

How can we make the second half of 2020 so great, that in retrospect we can see that some good things have come out of this challenging, somber time?

1. Spend your time wisely

The one thing we can not buy is time. We only have a limited amount of days on earth and you get to decide how you want to spend them.

Do you get caught up in the busyness of work and responsibilities? Are you often tired and not feeling your best? Then it’s time to revisit all that you do and how you do it. Choose to do more of the things that energize you and less of the things that drain you. Take some of the pressure off, learn to say “no,” set boundaries and ask for help where you could use some. Making a few new decisions on how you spend your days can change your life.

2. Health is everything

One is more likely to experience COVID-19 when having one or more underlying conditions and a compromised, weak immune system. What can you do to improve your health? Drink enough water, eat mostly whole foods, exercise frequently. Two simple things you can do to boost your immune system? Drink fresh lemon water daily and eat more green vegetables. If you have a hard time implementing new healthy habits then you may benefit from hiring a health coach to help with setting weekly goals and to offer recommendations and accountability.

“You can make a difference, you can make the world a better place by being optimistic, kind, and taking excellent care of yourself.”

3. Stay connected to your community

The good thing we have seen during quarantine is that people seem to care more about each other. I’ve witnessed so many random acts of kindness and helping hands; let’s keep this feeling of togetherness going. Stay connected to your community and see how you can get involved to help people in need. It doesn't have to cost much or take up a lot of time. We all thrive when we are well-fed, feel seen, heard, and safe.

If you watch the news and experience anxiety and feel the heaviness of the world weighing on your shoulders then it may be smart to go on a news-diet. Stop watching the news altogether or only read a few headlines and focus on your own environment. Enjoy the little things in life and surround yourself with wonderful people. You can make a difference, you can make the world a better place by being optimistic, kind, and taking excellent care of yourself. * Jill's WELLNESS PICKS 1 This massage tool helps release stress and reduce pain in your body. Hypervolt The vibration is so powerful you can feel your body revitalize when using it.

hyperice.com

Teatis Tea

I love drinking the delicious superfood tea lattes I created for Teatis Tea. The Matcha Mint (Awake) is great for focus and energy, the Turmeric Ginger (Calm) helps you relax. teatistea.com Josie MaranArgan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 This chemical-free sunscreen is 3 my favorite. It protects while conditioning and nourishing the skin. It’s lightweight and makes the skin glow. Plus it smells amazing. josiemarancosmetics.com

4Yoga Block Sock Sharing yoga blocks is not hygienic. The solution? Yoga

Block Sock—a washable cover to protect yourself from sweat, germs, and dirt.

yogablocksock.com

DermOrganic Leave-in Argan oil After I shower and towel dry my hair I use this leave-in conditioner. My hair is much easier to comb, the ends look healthier and a little bit goes a long way, each bottle lasts me about a year. dermorganic.com