Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 22nd 2020

Weekly Wellness Blog: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

It is Wednesday and we are halfway through the week. We are also half way through our ten weeks of virtual learning. How are you doing? Have you established new routines for yourselves? Is it getting easier? Is it getting harder? Now would be a great time to self reflect, and don't forget that you can write a reflection about this experience as part of your PGE this year. Please see emails from Dan and your sectional principal for more information about your optional reflection letters.

Now is also a great time to go back through these Wellness Blog posts. Double check the available (online) events & suggestions from previous weeks. Are you interested in online classes? WhatsApp Groups? Personal challenges? Look through some of the suggestions and offerings from colleagues, friends around the globe, and trusted websites. Please, comment on this Wellness Blog with more ideas that you might have. Do you have something that you'd be willing to share virtually with our community? Do you have any suggestions for things we can do virtually to keep our close-knit community positive and together while we are apart? Please reach out via comments or emailing Keeley so that we can feature you in some upcoming blog posts! 

Food Suggestions! What to Order

Let's share some new, or well-loved restaurants that are delivering! What have you tried? What do you recommend? Share in the comments below or send Keeley a WhatsApp or an email.

Persian Bowl

Recommended by: Dee

Free home delivery 

For menu please call : Shiraz art cafe 00919840572126

Ciro's Pizzeria

Recommended by: Remy

on Zomato!

For menu please see your Zomato App or click this link

Upcoming (Online) Events & Suggestions!

Operation Appreciation - Coming Soon!
Operation Appreciation...

...is still happening! Be on the lookout later this week for an email outlining the first ever Virtual Operation Appreciation. Your participation is not mandatory, but we would love to have everyone participate.
Cheers-
Priya and Sarah 

Cooking with Priya!
Would you like to broaden your cooking abilities? Priya Venugopal is sharing her passion and talents via YouTube. Please subscribe to her YouTube channel and watch her tutorials in her kitchen!

Priya's YouTube Channel

Oh Scrap!

Are you interested in helping local community members create masks for essential workers? See the flyer below for details.

Free! Cappy Junior Titans Kids Sports Academy, From Martina

Are you interested in getting your kids to be a bit more sporty during quarantine? Martina suggests this Cappy Junior Titans Kids Sports Academy - with free virtual Zoom classes! They are conducting free fitness sessions on Zoom Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 4.45 pm. 

Join with Meeting ID: 8423654386 and Password: 954820.

See flyer for more information:

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 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