Try this bedtime meditation.
In her Sleep: Soothe HeadStrong meditation on Variis, Katey Lewis begins with a senses check. Try it before you go to bed tonight:
1. Notice the temperature of your room.
2. Notice the texture of the blankets and sheets against your skin.
3. Notice what smells you might be able to sense.
4. Notice the noises outside of the room.
5. Next, bring your awareness inside the room, and then inside your body. Maybe you can sense your heart beating, or even your stomach gurgling softly as it digests your food.
6. For a few minutes, just listen to the sound of your breath as it flows in and out of your body.
Make savory waffles.
This hearty recipe features buckwheat flour, which is rich in antioxidants and protein and is said to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It’s combined with savory ingredients like sumac and nutritional yeast for a new twist on waffles.
Smile like you mean it.
The act of smiling can actually improve your mood, according to new research at the University of South Australia. "When your muscles say you're happy, you're more likely to see the world around you in a positive way," explains lead researcher Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, Ph.D.
The study found that when you practice smiling (even if it’s forced) it can trick your brain into perceiving stimuli as happy, Marmolejo-Ramos adds. The next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try turning the frown upside down.
Sleep under the stars.
Camping with friends and family is one way Evan Studwell, a Tier 3+ trainer at Seaport in Boston, is staying socially connected in a safe way. If you want to try it, Studwell recommends finding a state park with an established campground.
“Get a weather-proofed tent that is designed for two more people than you plan on having sleep in there,” he adds. (Of course, only including people that are in your household due to social distancing guidelines.) “If it is a six-person tent it's really only big enough for three or four adults.”