- Start fresh and refocus daily activities
Many people change to work from home and they may feel less productive while not working from their offices. Like a car, we need an ignition spark to get us going at the start of the day. Try to find a small ritual or habit that gets us started. We can have a cup of warm water with slices of lemon, 10 minutes of stretching, a set of a morning workout or prayer, etc. The key is finding the ignition or trigger switch that works. It enables us to focus on all the other activities energetically and positively. Make sure we can grasp an opportunity to start fresh and refocus every day. - Mindful breathing
Mindful breathing is to focus on our own breathing. Focus on inhaling and exhaling on our own pace, best to be done 15 minutes daily for at least a week. This can be done while standing, but ideally, we can be sitting or even lying in a comfortable position. Eyes can be opened or closed, but it might be easier to maintain focus if eyes are closed. A regular practice of mindful breathing can make us feel better in difficult situations: to help us deal with stress, anxiety, and negative emotions; cool down when temper flares; and sharpen skills of concentration. - Gratitude begets happiness
Pandemic is a stressful disaster intruding into our lives, however, it is always our choice to respond to the situation with an attitude of gratitude, alertness, and intention ... or not. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky1 has found that the simple act of writing down five things that cultivate gratitude once a week for ten weeks results in a significant increase in overall life satisfaction and optimism. The expression of gratitude in the face of adversity means much more than simply looking on the bright side or ignoring the reality of painful truths. Gratitude provides us with the opportunity to learn valuable lessons, like finding meaning in suffering, or experiencing the interconnectedness and impermanence of all things.
Recipes for your Happiness!
- Caffeine-free chocolate bliss balls
Ingredients:
- 3 cups dates, pitted (roughly 18 dates)
- 5 tablespoons tahini
- 4 tablespoons carob powder (a caffeine-free alternative to cocoa)
- A pinch of pink salt
- Black and/or white sesame seeds for coating
Preparation:
- Add dates, tahini, carob powder, and pink salt to a food processor and blend until
well combined and smooth. - Roll into small balls and roll in white or black sesame seeds if you like.
- Greek stuffed portobello mushrooms
Ingredients:
- 4 portobello mushrooms, wiped clean
- 1 cup chopped kale
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup crumbled vegan cheese
- 2 tablespoons sliced olives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, ½ teaspoon pepper and salt in a small bowl. Then coat the mushrooms with the oil mixture. Place them on a large baking sheet and bake until the mushrooms are mostly soft, for around 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine kale, tomatoes, vegan cheese, olives, oregano and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium bowl. Once the mushrooms have softened, remove them from the oven and fill with the kale mixture. Bake until the tomatoes have wilted, for an additional 8-10 minutes.
