Ever since the onset of the pandemic and our switch to virtual learning, I have found myself spending hours on end stuck in my dorm room at my desk. As a result, time passes by so slowly and yet the days flash by. Especially during winter, when the weather outside was just dreadful, I had no motivation to go outside or partake in any fun activities. Over the course of the pandemic, I have learned how to feel embodied and present in my life when time starts to float past. This is so important as the uncertainty of the pandemic shakes our sense of constancy and stability. While these tips have ended up working for me, they may or may not work as well for you. But through consistent exploration and practice, you will be able to find your own way to feel embodied. Keep reading to find out some of the ways I feel embodied.
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Go outside
I cannot stress enough the importance of breathing in fresh air and feeling the wind on your face. Because my dorm room is temperature controlled, I don’t have any reason to open my dorm windows. Regardless, there is something about being outside, standing on the ground, and breathing in fresh air that feels so grounding and refreshing. After breathing in the same stagnant air all day during Zoom classes, it feels like a luxury to feel the sun on my face and smell the grass.
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Treat Yourself to a Nice Meal
Nothing makes me feel better than eating a delicious meal. It’s something so simple, and so attainable. Whether it’s cooking your favorite comfort food, making the effort to walk to the further dining hall for better food, or splurging on some delivery, the satisfaction you get when you eat something that you’ve been craving for is sublime. It’s important to remember that just as your mind and mental health deserve a break every now and then, so too does your body.
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Exercising
While this can connect to my first tip, exercising can be done indoors as well. After sitting in your chair or lounging on your bed all day, it’s so important to do something that gets your blood pumping. I can struggle to find motivation to exercise, but when I do I always enjoy the breathless sort of tiredness that it brings. I recommend having a workout buddy to help motivate you and keep both parties accountable. If going to a gym is intimidating, you can always start out by going on runs outside, doing workout videos from YouTube, or even just practicing the exercises you know.
I completely understand how easy it can be to get caught up in the daily routine of our lives, but it’s important to take the time to spend moments on yourself. It’s worth it to take care of yourself – mentally, emotionally, and physically. And while it might be more difficult in the beginning to find motivation, I have found that each time you work to feel embodied, it becomes easier and easier. I wish you the best of luck in finding your own personal method to feeling embodied during these unprecedented times!