What a List!
| What Will You Do? |
| We entered a new season, and for many reasons, it may be challenging. I have been compiling a list of “Connection Tips” which are really how to enjoy the colder months, how to take care of yourself, how to stay busy and most importantly, how to stay connected. |
| In the coming weeks, I will be posting a new blog which includes this list and several other resources, but I did not want you to have to wait to have it. (Don’t forget to subscribe to my website if you have not already so you get it when it comes out!)ALSO this gives you time to let me know what I forgot and should add! I have learned over the years that nobody teaches me more than you! |
| SO…Here you go! |
| 2020 Connection Tips(consolidated from multiple sources by Lynn Zakeri, LCSW) Less than a minute: Calling out Good Morning to neighbors from your front porch in the morning Pay for the person behind you in the coffee line Tell your family members why you enjoyed them today Text a friend that you are rushing around but wanted to send a quick message telling them you care Give a compliment while in line at the store “I love your hair color/blouse/etc” Repeat after me: The future holds good things You have a choice each day: Evolve or Repeat (you can stay the same or you can work on self-growth) For established relationships: Send treats to friends Write letters to friends. Mail them Netflix Party Google Meets Zooms with Friends, Family and Colleagues Drop off flowers/scented candle/etc to a friend at their door Drop off a funny nonsense gift to a friend to make them smile Maintain communications! Make an effort to check in with people who make you feel good. For building relationships: Share something with honesty. Even if it is not a close relationship, try answering questions with some grain of honesty. Bring treats/fruit/baked goods/a plant to a neighbor you don’t know well After a positive interaction, suggest doing it again sometime soon, and then pin down when For self care: Group exercise class where you feel connected to the instructor and others who join your ride Go Outside, even when it is cold or raining Buy Walking Chicago (book by Robert Loerzel) and then do it Keep a space at home CLEAN as a sanctuary/retreat for yourself Make a date with yourself to take a bath Think of exercise as your me-time reward for finishing work Stop at your favorite place for take-out Meditate (Insight Timer and Headspace are apps that many like) When today is a bust, forgive yourself quickly, and plan ahead for tomorrow Eight hours of relaxing nature sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFTSSKCzWA Redesign some private space back for your own haven or just rethink an area under a window with a bench seat and make a nice reading nook COVID Coach App THERAPY! Get Crafty: Read, Word Search Knitting/Crochet Puzzles Wooden models, ships in a bottle Home Improvement Project Use YouTube to apply makeup in a new way Paint, Paint-By-Numbers Calligraphy (learn it or better your craft) Decorate for the holidays Garden, or plant indoors from seed and garden in the Spring Plant Spring Bulbs now Paint your garage and Epoxy the floor to extend your backyard social hours into the garage when it is inclement weather Paint a room, shiplap a wall, rethink your landscaping, install a brick border For Media-ing Socially: Jack Box Games, Words With Friends, Animal Crossing, Mah Jong, Canasta, Bridge Bumble BFF To Assist: Volunteer Petting Animals Mentor a child, adult or elderly person, locally or abroad Order take-out from local places or BOBs Shop for others When shopping, bring someone’s cart back to the store for them Mow/shovel your neighbor’s yard Clean up your neighborhood/park/walking trail Drop off food at the food pantry Purge a cabinet, closet, or drawer of unused items; donate acceptable articles to Goodwill Be a Donation Manager: Pick a local food pantry, organize a book drive/meal drop for firehouse etc With Current Friends or Potential New Ones: Virtual Book Club Virtual Cooking/Baking Meet Ups at food pantrys, pet shelters, for a cause, for exercise, for fun Air BnB Online Experiences Food: Bake or Cook a meal via video with friends or a class Quarantine Meals Facebook Page Cook from a certain region or with certain ingredients, create mini-challenges for yourself Join a pastry baking event with a chef in a different country To expand: Verbal Planet or Duolingo to learn a new language A Virtual Imrov Class Learn an instrument Learn how to do a Handstand or Pull-Up Get an online certification in anything While cooking or cleaning, listen to a podcast or audio book on a topic of interest Podcasts in the car instead of music Pets – pet meet up via meetups.com. dog walking group. Dog training group. Obtain a certificate ie canine good citizen or therapy dog training Chess Class To Avoid Burnout Plan ahead for your known vices Check your screen time and challenge yourself to decrease it Standing Desks, Stretching, Water to help with sleepiness Turn off notifications on your phone Plan your feel good breaks Work on this schedule: 25 (on) 5 (off) and 15 (off every 2 hours) OR 52 (on) and 17 (off) Others: Get a cat or dog or other animal (and then…pet meet up via meetups.com. dog walking group. Dog training group. Obtain a certificate ie canine good citizen or therapy dog training t Watch movies from certain time periods or with a certain actor/actress Snow shoe, build a fort, Cross Country Ski Match with someone: https://bigandmini.org/howitworks |
Posted in Therapy
This is a great blog.