A 14 step guide to feel less isolated

Hey all, 

Sam here with a very topical email this week... now I'm not going to reel off all the info we have been given of washing our hands and coughing into a tissue as this advice is spreading around as fast as the flu itself! It is a stressful time for many of us with so much uncertainty, many countries going into lockdown and a lot of advice telling us to 'self-isolate' if we, or the people close to us have any symptoms. 

Whether it's a government issued home-stay or it's just a rainy day where we are house-bound, I've put together a list of some of the more mindful ways to avoid watching every single series that Netflix has to offer!

1. Daily Gratitude - We should be doing this anyway, but how about sending your thanks to somebody you are grateful for today? 

2. Board games - Have to stay indoors with people that you don't usually spend loads of time with? Have some fun! Jigsaw puzzles are also very therapeutic if you are home alone! It's my new favourite habit to avoid watching TV in the evening

3. Ready, Steady, Cook! - Time to get creative with those lentils, that can of tomatoes and the unidentifiable spices from the back of the cupboard.

4. Read - Get engrossed in a good book! Fiction can really take you into a different world, a good autobiography gives you an insight into the lives of others and of course there are so many amazing books about mindfulness that the SMASH team could recommend.
5. Learn - There are many free online courses, Youtube instructional videos and language apps - currently I'm studying Italian, online marketing AND the science of happiness.

6. Exercise - If you are home and not sick, get that heart rate up! Our first SMASH London workout video is in the editing stages so pretty soon you can have us in your home working out with you! We can also bring you personal training via Skype/whatsapp into your home.

7. Set some goals - For the next 4 months, make a plan of action. Something that you feel like you can achieve with more ease once spring is properly sprung and summer is giving us that amazing serotonin.

8. Have a phone amnesty - It will be very tempting to stay on our phones for extended periods. Stop scrolling mindlessly or re-reading news that we have already read and have periods of the day where the phone is in another room.

9. Laugh - Especially if you are feeling overwhelmed there is so much research to say how good laughter is for you. Find laughter in a book, on the radio, or from the many movies, TV series and stand up specials.

10. Meditate - We use the calm app every day, but we also mix it up with some meditations found on YouTube or Spotify. Now may be a good time to try some longer meditations?

11. Clean - For obvious reasons it's even more important to sanitise properly but a good spring clean can help you feel so much better.

12. Listen to podcasts - I am subscribed to a wide variety for every mood - self-help, comedy, history and interviews all give me a more rounded view of the world. 

13. Be creative - Whether that is writing, making art, music, working on business ideas, DIY or even just rearranging the furniture.

14. Talk. Self isolation doesn't mean you have to stop talking to people. Skype your family, call your friends, send a note to your neighbour across the hall and have a cup of tea in your doorway. As always the SMASH team are here for you if you need to offload. Just send us an email and one of us will get back to you asap.

Remember, while we are still able to move out and about that there are people out there more vunerable than us. We are all in this together and community is so important. Telephone your elderly or vulnerable relatives, donate to the food banks, reach out to neighbours that may need a helping hand.

Be kind to yourself and to others. Have faith in humanity and we can get through this together. We are adding some outdoor training to our schedule next week including an option of doing the SMASH class tomorrow inside with Ash or outside with Sam - the best place to get updates about our projects is via our Instagram page @smashlondon. 

Stay safe x

Sam and Ash