Tales From the Quarantine Life

STAYING WELL IN DIFFICULT TIMES

Creating a List of Ideas to Maintain Healthy Habits By Jill JaSperSon

Iam bringing a subjective view of what has transpired in my household during COVID-19, in hopes that it will remind you that many are going through similar experiences during this defining time. I am sharing what I have done to keep physically and mentally in tune with myself and others. It has been a roller coaster at times. Here is what I do when I am offline, trying to keep a buoyant spirit after I finish the online work.

My household expanded with five extra millennials during the pandemic. When COVID-19 hit, I knew my son, who was trying to obtain a work visa in China, would be here longer. Another child, who was working retail, went on unemployment, quit that retail job, and is currently working on getting a better job. Another son, who graduated in 2018, is working temporary jobs. Finally, another child finished a course in programming and is waiting to move with his wife to South Carolina. All kinds of outcomes with the same pandemic! What do I do to keep sane? I started a list.

Cleaning and Selling I started cleaning. I had a garage area that needed to be tidied up, and we cleaned, sold or gave away items, power washed the area, and moved less items back in. Now, I am renting a portion of it. I cleaned out closets and areas of the house (since I had extra people living in the house) and gave items away for charity. It feels good donating clean clothes and extra household items that I am not using. Exercise I walk everyday now. The fresh air and beautiful Utah landscapes are part of my daily routine. I am close to American Fork Canyon and hike several times a week to Timpanogos Cave. Although the cave is closed, there are people on the trail every day. It is good cardio, hiking 1,100 feet to the top and back on a three-mile hike.

Walk, run, cycle, swim or do what my friend does — she competes in triathlons. Although she has not completed one recently because of an injury, she volunteered to help with one. The outdoors did not shut down, training has gone forward! My husband ran outside every day and did three half marathons. Several neighbors offered morning yoga or stretching classes in their yard. It was great to see everyone keeping active. Some, including me, even lost a bit of weight. Exercise is good!

Eating Our neighbors started an excellent garden with high fences so that deer cannot molest the fruit and vegetables. They are harvesting daily. Our garden is small, but we enjoy the fruits of our labors We also take advantage of the local fruit stands, and have honed our watermelon picking skills.

I found myself cooking and trying more recipes. Call it the Corona aroma! What is your favorite recipe? Please share it! I have used new foods and new ways of cooking. I pickled my first jalapeños and grilled pizzas on the BBQ. Amazingly, my taste buds are leaning towards more spicy food. However, do not forget the chocolate.

I have dined-out with colleagues and friends. We did both take out and sit-down options once restaurants opened. It is nice to renew friendships after not seeing each other. Health Checkups Along with healthy eating and exercise, I have maintained health check-ups to make sure my teeth and body are sound. And I am about done with my Invisalign regimen as well; about four more weeks! We will not talk about the tray that I used for six straight weeks while I waited for the orthodontist office to open safely. But my smile has improved, and it is good to smile while you are waiting for things to change. Sleep, Meditate and Turn It Off Along with getting regular checkups, get plenty of sleep. I was exercising more, so my sleep became more regular. I maintain a regular time to go to sleep and wake up. Some of my children have not been as vigilant in keeping regular hours, and sometimes they are not happy about the result.

After a well-rested night, remember to change out of your pajamas, dress and apply makeup.

I have friends and family who meditate, and my neighborhood yoga teacher helped with this. If you have experience with meditation, please email me your stories!

While hiking, one of our trail friends always has a thought for everyone who stops him. I learned more wellneSS about Eknath Easwaran, Buddha and Meister Eckhart in thoughts he prepares daily. Another hiker, who is 81, has blood cancer. When he talks, he has a smile and counts his blessings. What an example to all of us.

Another suggestion for a healthy mental life, is to turn off your media and totally disconnect with distraction. It is good to divorce from your media to get a balanced life. Play and Hobbies Play board games. Talk to my colleague, who collects board games as a hobby! Find David Przybyla's story on KSL.com. Play card games, or electronic games for short spurts of time. Golf is available in various forms (VR and the real thing). We recently spent time playing golf with a son and daughter in law. The best kind of time is playing with those you love or like to be around. What Kind of Play Do You Do? Start or renew a hobby. I am taking more photos and using some for electronic backgrounds when I teach or meet with others electronically. I am proud of my Corona Arch picture taken in Moab, and plan to share with my students.

My friend renewed her hobby of fixing up and painting. She enjoys the challenge of redecorating on a dime. Be Creative and Find Hope Take breaks between projects to breathe and think. It will renew your energy and keep positivity up. My creativity for the last few months has been in creating a student course from scratch after I talked with friends and colleagues bouncing ideas off them. I am energized to come up with original assignments, quizzes and group discussions. Most of the group discussions are about COVID-19 scenarios.

A friend’s husband became unemployed during the pandemic. He is a brilliant inventor with many patents to his name. Now, instead of work patents, he is thinking of ways to patent new gear shifting ideas for bicycles.

A designer friend is creating new furniture for her living space. She is buying used furniture and using an old mantel piece to create a beautiful bookcase/fireplace area.

Look forward to life by bringing hope back. Plan a trip,

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even if it is a small trip. We went to Moab for three days in May. It was rejuvenating. A friend with a large family purchased a state park pass for $100.

Connect with a higher power as described in the twelvestep program. This program is helpful for anyone in any situation. Step two helps people come to believe that a power higher than themselves can restore them to sanity.

Talk to loved ones, trusted colleagues and friends. Their presence, even electronic, can lift and give hope if needed.

Never forget that you can contact a professional. There are online therapists and mental health workers who are proficient in helping during this hard time. Do not neglect your own mental health.

Everyone has had a different Coronavirus experience: One of our kids had a baby on April 1. Although they are being careful with the infant, they are sharing fun pictures and it is nice to receive those pictures of love.

Two of my nieces got married in two different states during this time period. For both women, only a limited audience could attend the wedding. We were sorry we could not go to either of the ceremonies, but we will connect later.

My son has returned to China and our son and daughterin-law moved to South Carolina. Another child is on the cusp of a new job. Life goes on; people learn to be flexible.

If you would like to share your story, please email me at jillj@uvu.edu. n

Jill O. Jasperson is an associate professor of business law and ethics at the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. She enjoys traveling, exploring outdoors and reading good books.