10 productive things to do during social isolation – part 3
7. Optimize your morning routine: I’ve talked extensively about the importance of having a morning routine. When you win your mornings, you win your days. And this is incredibly important during these hard times. Every day, I perform my daily dawn routine that I have talked about before, which includes exercising, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation and reading. A world-class morning routine is of great significance now as we go through these turbulent times. It will help you protect your focus and performance in these testing times, and battleproof you through any personal and professional challenges that come your way.
8. Work on a passion project: We are all geniuses in our own regard; we all have passions. But the harsh truth is there are many people who are not fortunate enough to call their current job as a passion. The everyday struggles can keep people away from cultivating their respective passions. And that’s why this is a wonderful time to direct your focus and energy towards a passion project or a side hustle that can bring you an extra source of income. Maybe you want to open up your own bakery, maybe you have always wanted to write a novel or a non-fiction book, maybe you want to start your own podcast, or create some designs to sell merchandise. As Steven Pressfield, just get your a** where your heart is and start doing the work. Use this time well; create meaningful artworks, work on the marketing aspects, work on branding, do whatever is necessary to get you off the ground. You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to finish whatever project you start, your only agenda is to start and make significant progress. To get the ball rolling and get momentum on your side, so that you are able to accomplish your desired objective in the near future.
9. Workout or do yoga at home: Going to the gym may not be an option right now, and there’s a good chance you may not have exercise equipment or dumbbells at home. Don’t worry, you don’t need a gym membership to stay fit, and even a little exercise, when done consistently, goes a long way. There are plenty of ways to stay in shape without weights and fitness equipment. Browse YouTube for workout videos, or join an online fitness community. I recommend checking out Fitness Blender, Athlean-X and Yoga with Adriene (if you’re into yoga). If you have an Apple Watch or a Fitbit, challenge friends to an activity competition, this will help you have accountability. The important thing is that you keep moving, do activities at a higher pace that get your heart pumping and sweat as much as possible. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week or an equivalent combination of both. This will benefit your body, and also improve your mental health and sleep. If you’d like to know more about how I perform my workouts, you can go here.
10. Perform a brain-stimulating activity: Along with exercising your body, it’s important that you exercise your mind as well. Binge-watching TV or Netflix and scrolling on your phone for long spans can attenuate your neural activity; on top of that, mindless activity and watching negative media can even make you feel depressed and anxious. So, open a Sudoku book, break out that big puzzle you’ve been putting off, find some brain games online or in an app like Lumosity to stay sharp and boost your mental energy, or simply play an interesting and engaging board game with your family members.
Along with all these suggestions, there are many more things you can do put your time and energy to good use, such as limiting your news and social media intake, practicing self-discipline both in your work and life in general, helping the less privileged and elderly in whatever way you can, and doing some spring cleaning and minimizing your stuff.
There are so many avenues to use your time wisely and constructively. And ultimately it’s your choice — whether you want to veg out the entirety of this extended break, or roll up your sleeves and do some positive and productive things for yourself and others.
COVID-19 is here. This global crisis that we are all going through is an ideal time to strengthen ourselves. To elevate our interior empires and focus on becoming better every day. It’s time that we choose not only to go through this adversity, but also grow through this adversity. So, get back in the game and focus on sharpening your axe until these uncertain times subside.
I’ve set up The Karma Yogi “Sharpen Your Axe” Challenge to help you just do that. To bring a positive transformation in yourself and your life. To help you embrace personal expansion and start looking at things from a whole new perspective. To help you become a better version of yourself. To help you have more “alive time.” And to turn this obstacle into an opportunity, and this negative experience of self-quarantine into a positive one.
I have been working super hard on creating this challenge and making it as valuable as I can for you. Its duration is 14 days — the length of the suggested quarantine period — and comprises of actionable insights and exercises that will help you grow and navigate these uncertain times while helping others.
Challenge participants will receive:
- 14 Daily Custom Challenges
- 14 Daily Custom Video Messages from yours truly
- Printable 14-Day “Sharpen Your Axe” Challenge Worksheets
- Printable 14-Day Gratitude Challenge Journal
- Private Facebook Group access for Accountability, Motivation, and Community
What’s more important is that 20% of all proceeds (which translates to $10 per sale) will be given to first-responder charities such as Feeding America who are doing important work right now. By performing this challenge, we’ll create a win-win situation, both for ourselves and the Bravehearts on the front lines who are helping the needy and fighting tooth and nail to keep us safe.
Join me on this journey, sign up today.