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)
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/
Jen Thomas also offers online Personal Training programs that you can do at home.
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!
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:
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
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
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.
