Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 15th 2020

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

How are you doing? I want you to reflect upon your response to that question. Rather than just saying the typical and ingrained "fine, how are you?" response, think deeply about how you are doing today. How do you feel? Why? How have you connected with someone today? This collective experience is very out of the norm and, most days, the answer to the question "how are you?" is probably much more complex than "fine". Reach out to loved ones, check on each other, and be extra-sensitive to the changing complex emotions and anxieties that we are all cycling through.

There are so many things out there because, all around the world, people are coming together while living apart. There are silly challenges on social media platforms, there are more than 50 skills you can acquire for free from home, movies that you can stream, home improvements you make, home workouts you can challenge yourself to accomplish, and chores that you can productively finish. But, above all these optional ways of occupying any free time that you may have, please remember to focus on your well-being and your mental health. Some days, you might have an amazing workout, finish grading all your assignments, and clean your whole house while other days you might be lucky if you managed a shower and met your basic needs. Be kind to yourself as you navigate this new territory of lockdown and social distancing. Share your suggestions of things that you have done during quarantine! 

Have you been catching up on some series and movies? Here is a list from Business Insider of their top nine shows available for streaming. Do you agree with their list? What would you add or take away? 

Upcoming (Online) Events & Suggestions!

Duolingo: Learn or Practice a New Language!

Have you thought about learning a new language? Have you heard of Duolingo? It's a free app and website that can help you. There are more than 27 languages currently on Duolingo, including Klingnon. https://www.duolingo.com/ 

Sweet Sora Reads! (From Babs)

Sora Sweet Reads

From April 15th-July 31st Sora is offering up a variety of children's, middle grade, and young adult reads - stories so great, you'll want seconds! These books are being made available to unlimited, simultaneous users, so read on!

Organizations that Need Support - A Growing List

Our list of reputable charities here in India is growing by the day! Some of them are local Chennai charities, where many people in our community volunteer. Others are national relief funds. They are all organizations that need support!

I am continuing to build this resource for our community. If you know of another reputable source that you would like me to add to this growing list, please comment on this post or send me a private email. I will continue to add charities as we receive more information.

Repeated & Ongoing Suggestions: 

Wellbeing Resource from Jen Gold

Wellbeing During Distance Learning

This link includes a plethora of ideas to help you through distance learning and social distancing. Remember, we can be together...apart.

Free Mindfulness Meditation Course with Tara Brach

Mindfulness Daily can help you establish or deepen your practice. It is a FREE 40-day mindfulness course that (Tara Brach) leads together with Jack Kornfield. 

Lisa Daniels especially recommends this video of Tara Brach's Facing Pandemic Fear with an Awake Heart - on YouTube

Work Outs & Personal Training with Jen Thomas

No gym? No problem!

During the quarantine period, Jen Thomas Fitness is uploading a new 12-minute at-home circuit to her Instagram page, every day! 

Her circuits are full body and fun to do! 

All you need is:

- a timer app on your phone 

- a set of dumbbells

- resistance bands

Check her out at http://instagram.com/jenthomasfitness

Jen Thomas also offers online Personal Training programs that you can do at home. 

Virtual Yoga and Meditation with Nora Lim

Nora is offering some of her classes online! Please visit her website at www.thinkoffthemat.com to see her timings and her codes to join via Zoom.

April Birthdays!

Miriam Chakko	April 1
Uma Mahesh	April 1
Deepa Jacob	April 6
Deborah Allen	April 7
David Allen	April 7
Kala Ganeshan	April 9
Chandramouli V	April 10
Hannah Rajendran	April 10
Suvitha R	April 11
Sweety Jayakar	April 11
Sherriden Masters	April 12
Renato Dezonne	April 13
Scott Steven Stier	April 15
Sriraman C	April 15
Sarah Sahr	April 18
Calley Connelly	April 19
Cory Milone	April 20
Jessy David	April 26
Gurunathan G	April 28
Gemma Adderley	April 28

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

It's OK to grieve. I'm not sure who needs to hear that today, but please keep reminding yourself and others that it is OK to grieve. Please see this NPR article called "Coronavirus Has Upended Our World, It's OK to Grieve" This article mentions the importance of recognizing your loss. For many of us, we are coming to terms with how vastly different the end of this school year is from what we've planned. We are missing the farewell gatherings for our friends and colleagues who are leaving Chennai. We are missing valuable time together on our beautiful campus. We are missing events, concerts, parties, and celebrations. It's OK to feel sorry for yourself! Feel all of those emotions, name them, and let them pass. Be extra sympathetic to others in our community. We are all going through some different feelings of grief and missing each other and the plans that we had. The NPR article also gives some suggestions about what you can do about it! Communicate, write, express, create, meditate, and be open to joy and gratitude. 

I am very grateful for our close knit community. Despite the social distancing, our community members are creating virtual ways to connect and reach out - WhatsApp groups and challenges, Zoom yoga classes with Nora, and even digital "Happy Hours" together. Remember, this too shall pass - but it is definitely alright to grieve what you are missing.

Well Week at AISC

It is WELL WEEK at AISC! Below are some reminders and resources from Nigel, which are applicable any day! Today's theme is Self Management. Are you sharing your tips on social media with the hashtag #AISCWellbeing? 

Monday: Positive Relationships: Gratitude and Kindness Challenges (ES, MS/HS)
Tuesday: Self Awareness: How are you feeling? Get creative. (ES, MS/HS)
Wednesday: Self Management: Share your tips: #AISCWellbeing (ES, MS/HS)
Thursday: Healthy Habits: Try something new. (ES, MS/HS)

Upcoming (Online) Events & Suggestions!

Reputable Charities in India
I am compiling a list of reputable charities here in India. Some of them are local Chennai charities, where many people in our community volunteer. Others are national relief funds. They are all organizations that need support!

I am continuing to build this resource for our community. If you know of another reputable source that you would like me to add to this growing list, please comment on this post or send me a private email. I will continue to add charities as we receive more information.


Ladies' Clothing Exchange: Postponed Until August

The AISC Ladies' Clothing Swap will be postponed until next school year. We apologize for any inconvenience. At the beginning of the school year, we will arrange to have the Clothing Exchange and we will invite our new staff members - who may have their wardrobes caught up in shipments, so they may be excited to have a peak through your donations!

If you are moving out of Chennai this year and you would like to ensure that your clothes are donated to a worth cause, please consider making a drop off to Thuli.  Thuli also accepts gently used items for men, women, and children. Thuli is currently closed, due to the lockdown, but they plan on opening in May. Or, if this timing does not work for you, you could please keep your items until next school year's Clothing Swap? Or, you could please drop off your unwanted clothing items with a friend who could donate them on your behalf as soon as these charities open their doors. Thank you for considering reusing, recycling, and donating your previously loved items, rather than throwing them away!

Work Outs & Personal Training with Jen Thomas

No gym? No problem!

During the quarantine period, Jen Thomas Fitness is uploading a new 12-minute at-home circuit to her Instagram page, every day! 

Her circuits are full body and fun to do! 

All you need is:

- a timer app on your phone 

- a set of dumbbells

- resistance bands

Check her out at http://instagram.com/jenthomasfitness

Jen Thomas also offers online Personal Training programs that you can do at home. 

Ordering Food - Check With Your Favorite Restaus!

Many restaurants in Chennai are offering special take-away and delivery menus! Some of the restaurants may be a bit far from your residences, so please check your favorite neighborhood restaurants to see if they have special menus at this time! Swiggy and Zomato are open and delivering from select restaurants. Others are operating on their own, and you can contact them direct. For example, Canvas by Sketch has a special menu & they are delivering to homes on the ECR!

Online Photography Classes - For Children

Need something for your own kids (ages 10-18) to do online? How about an online photography workshop? See the image below for more details!

Free Mindfulness Meditation Course with Tara Brach
Mindfulness Daily can help you establish or deepen your practice. It is a FREE 40-day mindfulness course that (Tara Brach) leads together with Jack Kornfield. 

Lisa Daniels especially recommends this video of Tara Brach's Facing Pandemic Fear with an Awake Heart - on YouTube

Podcasts & App Ideas from Lisa Daniels

Here is a podcast and app share-out from Lisa Daniels:

1. Self-Soothing for Coronavirus Pandemic

2. Belly Breathing for Anxiety
3. Fabulous : an app that supports habit change and self change. It was created at Duke's Behavioral Economics Lab under professor Dan Ariely
4. Dan Ariely's TED talks and his radio show Freakonomics
5. More! Free Apps & Resources to Support Mental Health

Repeated & Ongoing Suggestions: 

Wellbeing Resource from Jen Gold

Wellbeing During Distance Learning

This link includes a plethora of ideas to help you through distance learning and social distancing. Remember, we can be together...apart. 

Virtual Yoga and Meditation with Nora Lim

Nora is offering some of her classes online! Please visit her website at www.thinkoffthemat.com to see her timings and her codes to join via Zoom.

April Birthdays!

Miriam Chakko	April 1
Uma Mahesh	April 1
Deepa Jacob	April 6
Deborah Allen	April 7
David Allen	April 7
Kala Ganeshan	April 9
Chandramouli V	April 10
Hannah Rajendran	April 10
Suvitha R	April 11
Sweety Jayakar	April 11
Sherriden Masters	April 12
Renato Dezonne	April 13
Scott Steven Stier	April 15
Sriraman C	April 15
Sarah Sahr	April 18
Calley Connelly	April 19
Cory Milone	April 20
Jessy David	April 26
Gurunathan G	April 28
Gemma Adderley	April 28

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Today is April Fool's Day! How will you "prank" someone who you are quarantined in with? Now that Swiggy and Zomato are allowed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - some of us were joking about ordering a nice Southern Indian meal and pretending like we learned how to cook delicious dosas! Yum! Here is a link for FREE DELIVERIES ALL DAY!

Did you know that in France April Fool's Day is celebrated by taping fish on to each other's backs? Learn more about that tradition by clicking here.

Share your silly April Fool's Jokes as comments on this blog!

Beware of April Fools' hoaxes and jokes in the media today. Many outlets are known for playing little tricks today. If you're practicing the habit of reading less news or social media these days, maybe today is the perfect day to skip it! What should you do instead? Follow some of our virtual suggestions...

Suggestions!

Usually, we like to post upcoming events and suggestions. Our biggest suggestion this week continues to be practice social distancing. Don't forget to think about your mental health and wellness. Take breaks from your virtual workload, get some sunshine when you can, and reach out to friends via Skype or Zoom!

Wellbeing Resource from Jen Gold

Wellbeing During Distance Learning

This link includes a plethora of ideas to help you through distance learning and social distancing. Remember, we can be together...apart. 

Virtual Yoga and Meditation with Nora Lim

Nora is offering some of her classes online! Please visit her website at www.thinkoffthemat.com to see her timings and her codes to join via Zoom.

More Free Virtual Zumba Classes

Enrique is offering two more Zumba classes this week! Both classes will be at 5pm Chennai time. No need to sign up this time, but he would appreciate it if you could follow him on Instagram.

Thursday's Zumba Class (5pm) Join Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/634564776

Friday's Zumba Class (5pm) Join Link:  https://us04web.zoom.us/j/825592712

Lean on Me - From Jason & The Music Dept

The Music Department invites you to partake in a creative and potentially fun project for our AISC community.

There is no obligation to do this whatsoever. However, you may be interested to know...

We have created a basic recording of the song "Lean On Me" and we invite you to contribute in any way you would like with the audio or video or BOTH.

Photo/Video examples: 

• Write a message on a piece of paper and hold it up
• Show a photo with smiling happy times
• Record yourself or others dancing to the song
• I am sure you have better ideas

Audio Examples:

PLEASE use earbuds/headphones while listening to the basic track and try to record in a quiet place (like a bathroom) so that you can isolate whatever sounds you want to record. I am happy to offer advice on free apps for your phone or garage band etc. You can just use a voice recorder on your phone and email me the file.

• main singers (vocals)
• Guitar
• Uke
• Percussion (Cajon, bongos, pots + Pans, wood spoons, metal spoons, glass, water cans, Im sure you have better ideas...)
• Rapping
• mixing
• scratching
• Whatever sounds you want in there...

I will take all the data from the contributions and compile them into a final music video.

Please forward this to any colleagues, faculty, staff, and partners/families in our AISC community

Click the link to download the video and/or audio:

 LEAN ON ME

Please use the same folder to upload your contributions:

• Open the Lean On me Folder < Your Contributions
• Make a new folder
• Put your name on it
• Upload your stuff

I will build the project as stuff comes in. Hopefully within the next 10 days or so...

We hope you enjoy the process. THANKS!

P.S. we changed the first line of the lyric in the breakdown:

"Just call on me brother"

to

"Just call on one another"

Healthy Habits - A Call for Experts - From Jack and Ryan

Jack and Ryan will be coordinating the day of Healthy Habits on April 9th.  We plan to challenge the community to try a new Health Habit. There's a couple of things we would like your help with if you are willing! 

1. We need short video clips of faculty trying new healthy habits and challenging the AISC community to do so too.  If you are interested, please reach out ASAP or just send Jack or Ryan a short video before Wednesday evening.  

Please ensure this video is under 30 seconds long and if you use your phone to record it, please hold the phone horizontally.  We will make a culmination of the challenges and send it out in the blogs next Friday, April 3rd.  .

2. We need some Healthy Habit experts to help support the AISC community in seeking out and trying a new Healthy Habit on April 9th.  

What does an expert do?  

- The expert is a point person for a specific type of Healthy Habit: yoga, fitness, singing, art, etc. 

- The expert will support community members that reach out to them in finding ways to try a new healthy habit.

- The experts can contribute to a list of new healthy habit ideas that we will be putting together before next week's communication.  

- Your email and/or Zoom information will be sent out to the community with a description of your area of specialty.

If you would like to be an expert, please fill out this Google Form and we will get back to you with more information before April 9th.

April Birthdays!

Miriam Chakko	April 1
Uma Mahesh	April 1
Deepa Jacob	April 6
Deborah Allen	April 7
David Allen	April 7
Kala Ganeshan	April 9
Chandramouli V	April 10
Hannah Rajendran	April 10
Suvitha R	April 11
Sweety Jayakar	April 11
Sherriden Masters	April 12
Renato Dezonne	April 13
Scott Steven Stier	April 15
Sriraman C	April 15
Sarah Sahr	April 18
Calley Connelly	April 19
Cory Milone	April 20
Jessy David	April 26
Gurunathan G	April 28
Gemma Adderley	April 28