A while back, I created a personal five-task-list to support my mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health DAILY (especially while studying). The five tasks categories are:
I do a small bit, or M.O.R.S.E.L. ;), relating to each category everyday. This bite-sized and flexible approach makes these activities feel like fun breaks - between work or study - instead of stressful tasks to complete!
As many of us are currently isolated at home because of COVID-19, this simple list may also help kick-start healthy routines at a time when it is easy to slip into unhealthy ones.
Below, I talk about the health advantages and suggest some activities for each task category. Note that these categories can overlap. For example, a reading activity could also make you laugh... sharing or journaling could also be a form of self-pampering...and yoga can double as meditation and exercise! Let's jump in!
MEDITATE
Usually this looks like 3 minutes of silence at the beginning of the day where I focus on breathing, or think about things I am grateful for. There is a plethora of scientific research around the advantages of meditation on the brain and body such as reducing stress and anxiety, promoting emotional health, enhancing self-awareness, lengthening attention span, among others. You can read more about the benefits of meditation in these articles by Forbes and healthline. I currently use an app called Headspace to guide my daily meditation.
OIL
Taking time to care for your body can do wonders for confidence and stress levels. For me, this has been as simple as a bubble bath or as intensive as a 8-step skin care routine. Getting creative with home-made facial masks and lotions are more fun alternatives that I've tried. If you're thinking "Ain't nobody got time for that!" take a look at some of these Pampering Tips for Busy Women - and a lot of these work for men too! You can read more about the benefits of skin care on mental health in this Huffington Post article. This doesn't just include outer body care, though. Making yourself a good meal or lighting a calming candle counts as well, and you'd be surprised how satisfying a do-it-yourself foot rub can be!
A good book makes me feel a lot less alone and it is also beneficial to my health! I typically read a
couple pages of a book, an interesting article or cool quotes from notable people for this category. You can read more about the benefits of reading (LOL) in this Business Insider article. As a side note, many people (including me) usually have travel plans to look forward to during the year. This year, it might be a while before any trips can reasonably happen. In the meantime, good books may help to provide well-needed adventure (though it really won't be the same). “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” – Mary Schmich
In this age of social media and binge watching platforms, we take in A LOT daily. So, in order to strike a healthy balance, we should be letting some stuff out daily as well. Write in a journal, write a blog (hehe), talk to a friend about your day, sing along to song that expresses your feelings, make a Tik Tok video, hell...talk to yourself! This Bustle article highlights some of the mental health benefits of expressive writing.
EXERCISE
Not only does exercise improve our physical health, it is also known to improve mental health and - even more specifically - our memory. Actuarial students know how important this is! I've done a variety of things under this category, YouTube fitness videos, dancing around in my apartment, taking a walk, going for a run, a gym fitness class, a few minutes of jump rope. The possibilities are endless! And the great part is...I only commit to doing a MORSEL of exercise daily. If I do more...that's great...but knowing that I'm only on the hook for a little bit makes it way easier to start. You can read more about the benefits of exercise on memory in this Harvard Health article.
LAUGH
I don't need to say much about this one. We have all heard the saying, "Laughter is the best
medicine". Laughing regularly has known mental, social and physical benefits. Memes, YouTube videos and online jokes are great quick ways to get your laugh on. You can read more about the benefits of laughter on health in this Time Magazine article.
I will share what I do under each category on a regular basis to provide even more practical examples. Stay tuned and feel free to share your comments and questions!
Meditate, Oil, Read, Share, Exercise & Laugh.
As many of us are currently isolated at home because of COVID-19, this simple list may also help kick-start healthy routines at a time when it is easy to slip into unhealthy ones.
Below, I talk about the health advantages and suggest some activities for each task category. Note that these categories can overlap. For example, a reading activity could also make you laugh... sharing or journaling could also be a form of self-pampering...and yoga can double as meditation and exercise! Let's jump in!
MEDITATE
Usually this looks like 3 minutes of silence at the beginning of the day where I focus on breathing, or think about things I am grateful for. There is a plethora of scientific research around the advantages of meditation on the brain and body such as reducing stress and anxiety, promoting emotional health, enhancing self-awareness, lengthening attention span, among others. You can read more about the benefits of meditation in these articles by Forbes and healthline. I currently use an app called Headspace to guide my daily meditation.
Taking time to care for your body can do wonders for confidence and stress levels. For me, this has been as simple as a bubble bath or as intensive as a 8-step skin care routine. Getting creative with home-made facial masks and lotions are more fun alternatives that I've tried. If you're thinking "Ain't nobody got time for that!" take a look at some of these Pampering Tips for Busy Women - and a lot of these work for men too! You can read more about the benefits of skin care on mental health in this Huffington Post article. This doesn't just include outer body care, though. Making yourself a good meal or lighting a calming candle counts as well, and you'd be surprised how satisfying a do-it-yourself foot rub can be!
READ
A good book makes me feel a lot less alone and it is also beneficial to my health! I typically read a
couple pages of a book, an interesting article or cool quotes from notable people for this category. You can read more about the benefits of reading (LOL) in this Business Insider article. As a side note, many people (including me) usually have travel plans to look forward to during the year. This year, it might be a while before any trips can reasonably happen. In the meantime, good books may help to provide well-needed adventure (though it really won't be the same). “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” – Mary Schmich
SHARE
EXERCISE
Not only does exercise improve our physical health, it is also known to improve mental health and - even more specifically - our memory. Actuarial students know how important this is! I've done a variety of things under this category, YouTube fitness videos, dancing around in my apartment, taking a walk, going for a run, a gym fitness class, a few minutes of jump rope. The possibilities are endless! And the great part is...I only commit to doing a MORSEL of exercise daily. If I do more...that's great...but knowing that I'm only on the hook for a little bit makes it way easier to start. You can read more about the benefits of exercise on memory in this Harvard Health article.LAUGH
I don't need to say much about this one. We have all heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine". Laughing regularly has known mental, social and physical benefits. Memes, YouTube videos and online jokes are great quick ways to get your laugh on. You can read more about the benefits of laughter on health in this Time Magazine article.
I will share what I do under each category on a regular basis to provide even more practical examples. Stay tuned and feel free to share your comments and questions!
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