Mental Health.
It’s important. Very important. How do we balance maintaining our mental and physical health during a pandemic?
Earlier this year, your beloved gyms and academies were closed in an effort to flatten the Covid-19 curve. We got creative with our home workouts, made grappling dummies out of pillows and gis, spent time outdoors. Masks, plexiglass, and temperature checks are now part of our daily routines. And here we are, 9 months later, in the “red zone” with restrictions in schools, restaurants, and gyms. It’s been an absolute roller coaster. Both emotionally and physically draining. But together, we will persevere, we will overcome. Your circle became smaller. You realized what and who was important.
Now more than ever, is the time to ‘be a good person’.
- Check on your friends and neighbors.
- Do a good deed.
- Perform a random act of kindness, no matter how big or how small.
- Wave at a stranger. You never know what a person is going through, your acknowledgement might make the world of difference.
Nourish your family. Treasure every moment. Work on yourself…fill your cup. Like the old saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Don’t suffer in silence, reach out to someone, anyone. If you send us a message on Facebook messenger, a direct message on Instagram, an email…I guarantee we will respond. We will ALWAYS be here for you!
Meditate.
- I sat outside and watched thousands of birds fly south in and out of formation. It was quite relaxing.
- Practice breathing exercises.
Read a book.
Start journaling.
Practicing gratitude.
- Every night before you go to bed, think about just one thing you are grateful for.
- We get back what we put out.
Routines.
- Get in a routine but mentally prepare that routine can be shaken with the ever changing restrictions.
- We are creatures of habit and healthy habits create happy creatures.
Working from home in isolation from family, friends, and martial arts can manifest into depression and feeling alone. It turns into frustration and confusion with no real outlet. It’s a dangerous road to embark on alone. How ironic that choking your teammate out or trying to snap their arm off or punching them in the face could actually be calming. A mental and physical release.
Martial arts has been said to save lives. Save your life when you are attacked. Save the life of others when they are attacked. Save your life when fighting mental illness.
As we say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021, it is important to reflect. Always be grateful to be alive, to have your health, to love and feel loved. Show gratitude for yourself and for others.
Be kind.
Be a good person.
