Mindset Matters.

Here are some tips to transform your mindset into productive and self-care oriented.

Make a loose schedule and stick to it.

I’m not saying that you need to map out every single second of every day. However, I find it helpful to have a general idea as to how I want to go about my day. Tying into this point, make sure you have an agenda to keep track of your assignments! It is so easy to forget an assignment if you don’t write it down. 

My second tip is one that, until recently, I completely underestimated.

Get enough sleep!

Last year, I would go to sleep at 2am and get up for school fifteen minutes before I had to be out the door. Although I was able to push and make it through the week, it wasn’t sustainable and I was under a constant state of exhaustion. It was only until I had a healthy sleep schedule that I realized just how much more productive and energetic I could be. Go through the trouble of setting timers and sticking to them and have your day set up in a way so that you can get to bed at a good time!

This next tip is probably one of the most important

Challenge yourself, but don’t push it and don’t be a perfectionist. In school and life, it is important to get out of your comfort zone. Challenging yourself allows you to grow. However, there is a very thin line between a healthy amount of growth and something that turns stressful and implements perfectionism. It is important that you know your limits and that you don’t push them too much. Remember that your mental health is crucial to getting your best work done. It needs to be a priority. One thing that I like to do when feeling overwhelmed is host a little movie night with myself. I watch a comfort movie while eating whatever snacks are in my house at the moment. It helps me wind down and relax. 

Have a Balance – It’s Crucial!

This next piece of advice is crucial to having your best school year: have a balance. Don’t spend your whole day doing homework, but don’t spend the entire day avoiding it either. For the purpose of your mental health, you want to make sure you are getting in a little bit of everything in your day. Get in some time with friends, get in some time for homework and studying, and give yourself time for you and your hobbies (whatever they may be). 

What I have to say here is something that I never would have imagined coming out of my mouth, but get physical exercise. Now, I am nowhere near being the most athletic person in the room. In fact, sports and athletics are probably one of the things I am the worst at. However, I have noticed how getting some exercise, or even just a little bit of sun, has completely changed the course of my day for the better. I end up feeling much more energized and it always puts me in a better mood. It’s not like I do much exercise either. I go on twenty minute walks or do a ten minute workout. It is nothing special, but I always end up feeling better in the end. 

These tips are only the beginning.

While they will help you get your life together and prepare you for school, a lot of it has to do with your own mindset. When I look at my 8th grade self versus my 9th grade self, for example, that is where I see one of the greatest differences. When 8th grade had started out for me, I was unmotivated. I got all my work done, but it was never at its best and I found myself constantly dragging and exhausted. My mindset was in the wrong place. I was looking at school from a place of constant negativity and I was making excuses for myself to avoid working. When 9th grade rolled around, I decided that I would change things up a little bit. Even though it took some hard work, I turned my mindset around. I woke up earlier and I made time for myself. I tried being more balanced and it made me see both life and school from a more positive perspective. 

Mindset Makeover

To be able to do this, you have to know yourself. Knowing what makes you energized and motivated and knowing what (or who) drags you down are both extremely important. Being aware of these makes it so that you can be in more control of your life’s outcome. 

The post From Motivation to Mindset: Shift your Mindset from Summer to School appeared first on GirlSpring.

During my spring break, I got the opportunity to shadow at the Federal Public Defenders office of the Northern District of Alabama. As a sophomore in high school, I went into my shadowing opportunity without much knowledge of the criminal legal system. The main idea I had of the work of a public defender came from the remarkable book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, which I highly recommend. It was my introduction to criminal law and has led me to be much more curious about the legal system and how it affects minorities. Here is what I learned throughout the week as I followed these sharp federal public defenders around the city of Birmingham.

After

Drug-Related Cases

The first thing I noticed was that most of their caseload consisted of drug-related charges. A third of the defendants sentenced in federal court in 2021 consisted of drug offenders [1]. Our current legal system fosters a cycle of reusing and forces people struggling with addiction into prison. I sat in on 2 revocation hearings. These are hearings in which the judge determines whether the defendant violated their supervised release or probation conditions. It is important to note that one out of every 60 adults in the USA is under probation supervision [2].

In one of the revocation hearings I sat in on, the Judge told the defendant, who was struggling with drug use, that they had “to get this foolishness under control” if they wanted to stay out of prison. It was extremely shocking to see a federal district judge speak about drug addiction like it isn’t a complex disease that requires a lot more than some willpower and good intentions. After the hearing and once the defendant was taken away, the Judge stayed for a moment and repeatedly told both the prosecutor and the defense attorney that the defendant would not be able to stay clean. The Judge, just like the entire criminal system, showed no hope for the future of the defendant. Why keep this system in place if the people instituting it know it isn’t working? In fact, 68% of drug offenders are rearrested within 3 years of release from prison [2].

“Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to” [3]. The reality is that drug addiction isn’t something you can force somebody to quit; it requires time and patience, something our criminal justice system doesn’t provide for those suffering from addiction. I heard multiple defendants plead with their attornies that staying clean was extremely difficult especially when most facilities in Alabama won’t accommodate felons or even the prevalence of racism in these facilities. One defendant I met spoke about how they were forced to leave their third rehab facility because they were being discriminated against.

Mandatory Minimums

I got to sit in on a few presentencing report meetings, in which the defendant’s history and characteristics are collected to be put into a report which is given to the Judge to consider before sentencing. Through these meetings, I learned about the impact of a person’s background on their actions and why they may have done what they did. In fact, I asked one of the attornies in the office what is a skill they think I should start cultivating if I want to be a part of the legal system, and they told me to get out of my comfort zone and get accustomed to the real world; they told me to get out and start learning about the “clientele” which consists of the poor and the people most disenfranchised by our society. For this reason, I do not understand the point of mandatory minimums. A mandatory minimum sentence is a minimum number of years that must be served for a charge. Most of the cases that were discussed during my shadowing time were tackling a mandatory minimum. In drug-related charges, mandatory minimums are based on the amount of drugs involved. These force judges to disregard the background of a defendant and the specific characteristics of a case simply to fulfill the outdated mandatories in place. They were put in place simply to encourage the government to prosecute higher-profile drug-related cases. As a result, “prosecutors’ use of mandatory minimums in over half of all federal cases disproportionately impacts poor people of color and has driven the exponential growth in the federal prison population in recent decades” [4]. With the use of mandatory minimums, we will never have a just legal system.

Covid-19 Effects

It is hard to imagine how Covid-19 affected the legal system. We often discuss the pause in time that the pandemic caused in our personal lives. The legal system was not able to avoid this either. As a result, many defendants were forced to wait in custody before they could even reach the courtroom. One defendant admitted, “Sometimes, I put myself in terrible situations”. They had been sitting in prison for 2 years without ever stepping foot inside a courtroom due to the Covid-19 court closures. Severe backlogs of cases have been stocking up across the country. And even worse, the economic fallout of the pandemic means fewer resources to address these backlogs [6].

While the consequences of the pandemic are severe, the positives of the forced reform to the criminal justice system may be the push needed to create substantial change in the system. One attorney I spoke to, discussed that the pandemic caused officials to rethink how we do things in the system, and further facilitated creative thinking of ways we can better it.

In The End

I appreciate my shadowing experience with the Federal Public Defenders. I got to see the back end of the criminal justice system we often discuss; I saw the intense meetings that take place to determine strategies, the effects of prison conditions on the defendants, and judges compromising and contemplating how their decisions could make or break a person. It was eye-opening and makes me even more eager to educate myself on the ways we can better how we handle criminal justice.

Sources

1. https://thefederaldocket.com/u-s-sentencing-commission-releases-2021-annual-report-and-sourcebook-of-federal-sentencing-statistics/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3859122/
3. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
4. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/end-mandatory-minimums
5. https://eji.org/issues/alabama-death-penalty/
6. https://www.uscourts.gov/news/2020/08/20/courts-restore-operations-covid-19-creates-new-normal

Fore more articles pertaining to government and politics, visit Stacey Abrams’ 2021 Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize

The post I Shadowed a Federal Public Defender: What I Learned appeared first on GirlSpring.

Morning/afternoon routine

No one likes getting up in the mornings. Waking up and going directly to my computer for virtual school was not an easy task for me. I woke up at around 9:00 for virtual school everyday, now I have to wake up at around 6:00 everyday. This was a huge change for me. I had to learn how to go to sleep earlier, to be able to wake up earlier, get ready in the mornings, and have the motivation to go to school.

I also had to try to make room for homework in the afternoons. Have a morning routine set in stone. Make a checklist of things you do every morning and you stick with it. For example, I have problem with organization at times. Checking through my bag every morning to make sure I remembered everything, is crucial for me in the mornings. 

Better workspace

Online school means online assignments. All I needed was a computer to do my work, so I didn’t really have a set workspace. I did move around a bit. But then, when I switched to in-person school and started getting my paper worksheets, I realized that I needed a proper and organized workspace, to organize everything and do my work efficiently. A tip I have here, is to have an organized and set workspace, to have everything handy, to do your work better.

Time management

Going back to in-person school means going back to your extracurriculars. I’m in marching band, and we have our practice in the mornings, for which I have to wake up at around 6:00 am, which is a HUGE change for me! I also have some other extracurricular activities some days of the week. So now I have to try to make room for my homework and those other activities, something that I didn’t have to struggle with before.  A tip I have is to have a simple schedule planner. It doesn’t have to be super complex, just is a way for you to know beforehand what you can and can’t do. 

Wearing masks and being safe

While masks aren’t mandated at my school, I didn’t do a year of virtual school for nothing! I’ve had to get used to wearing a mask eight hours a day, while practicing proper precautions such as washing my hands more than my usual, and not touching my face unintentionally to keep the germs away. It was definitely hard for me in the beginning, but eventually I got used to it, and it became my second nature. A tip I have is to know what’s safe and what is not safe for you, and always do what you believe is best, no matter what someone else says or does.

Conclusion

I’ve had to make plenty of changes to adapt to in-person high school. It has been a big change in my daily life, and it’s been really worth it. I hope these tips are helpful. Have a great school year!

The post Switching Back To In-person School + Tips For Easier Adjustments! appeared first on GirlSpring.

I spent my entire junior year as an online student. I wanted to protect my family and myself from COVID-19 and, honestly, I liked being online. Online school was full of freedom. I created my own schedule and did my work at my pace and picked up new hobbies and passions. I never had to write an excuse for my days off and there was no dress code. There was only learning and growing. The return to school, however, which I imagined as a return to normalcy, doesn’t feel normal at all. Instead it is a return to rules and chaos.

I pulled into my school parking spot about 15 minutes before school, prepared to finish my coffee and wait for the bell. But I learned, weirdly enough, that sitting in your car before school begins is against the rules. My friends who wear, well anything, are dress coded. Most fashionable clothing is against the rules. If I’m late to school I can’t just be a few minutes late to my class, it’s against the rules. I have to wait for my next class to begin. I can’t take medicine for a headache and I can’t ask too many questions because, of course, it might sound like I’m being defiant. That’s against the rules. 

Old Normal

This is all normal. It’s not new and it’s not a surprise. But, after the joys of having control over my time, it feels completely different. It’s degrading and depressing. None of these rules actually improve the school. They don’t help me learn. They keep me out of class. This distracts me from learning. Ultimately, hindering me from functioning like a human. 

If schools want to prepare us for the future, prepare us to make our own decisions and organize our time, then they have to start treating us like humans. They have to give us the chance to make mistakes and do things wrong. Instead, the rules suffocate and prevent students from learning how to navigate the real world. The future is here and we are not prepared. The future is here and all we know how to do is to cover our shoulders and keep quiet. 

I have a headache. I wish I could take some medicine.

The post Returning to School: the Difference Between Online and In-Person Learning appeared first on GirlSpring.

The experience of going back to school is usually either very fun and exciting or very stressful. Some people love shopping for school supplies, meeting their new teachers, and finding out who is in all of their classes. Others cram summer work, plan their “fun fact” to say when teachers call on them, and just want it to be the weekend forever. Whichever category you may fall under, we can all agree that this school year is far from normal.

Some students are still learning virtually, and others are on alternating schedules. Even if you are in school every day, it is very likely that you are still socially distancing and wearing masks. Even teachers are stressing out about how to keep their students and themselves safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, we all need to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally.

Physical health has been highlighted a lot recently. By this point, we all know to wash our hands, check for COVID-19 symptoms, and limit our contact with people from outside of our own homes when possible. A lot of sources, however, fail to acknowledge that this pandemic has been mentally taxing for many people. Although we are lucky to not be physically ill, many of us may feel emotionally drained or down-in-the-dumps. Self-care is a very important part of remaining physically and emotionally healthy. Below, I have included some of my favorite socially distanced self-care practices in hopes that you all will find them helpful.

Watch a TV show or movie.

Watching my favorite TV shows and movies always put me in a better mood. No matter which streaming services you have access to, there are millions of great shows and movies out there. Recently, I have discovered apps where you can watch Netflix, Youtube, and even Disney+ with your friends! My favorite is an app called Rave; as long as one of you has access to the desired streaming service, you can both watch the same thing at the same time. It even has a chat feature.

Spend time with your family and/or pets.

Spending time with my family and pets has definitely been one of my favorite activities during this pandemic.

Make time to spend alone.

Personally, I am an introvert; I draw my energy from being alone, and being with large groups of people for an extended period of time drains my energy. During my time at home this year, and upon my return to school, I have realized how important it is to take time for yourself. Even if it is 10 minutes a day to meditate or just sit quietly, it can make a big difference. I like to take 5-10 minutes as soon as I wake up to reflect on the day before and to plan for the day ahead. It really helps me get my day started in a positive way.

Listen to music.

For me, there is nothing like coming home after a long day of school or work, popping in a pair of earbuds, and listening to my favorite music. Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud are especially great, because you can find and create playlists for any mood.

Listening to your body is always important. There are many resources, both online and in-person, that can help us when we feel down. Until this pandemic is over, it is important for us to be especially kind to ourselves and to one another.

Check out more self-care articles from GirlSpring contributors! 

The post Self-Care During Back-to-School Season appeared first on GirlSpring.

All without a mask. 

And all AFTER the COVID Pandemic hit the United States.

My Experience

This was my experience last week. A wonderful day in and of itself, and yet after the Pandemic, it was a day that almost didn’t seem like it was going to come. Because of the CDC’s new guidelines, vaccinated individuals don’t have to wear masks. The movie theater was open. Stores were bustling. And while this shift hasn’t been the most fun for some customer service employees, I think we can all agree returning to normalcy has been a shift in the right direction. 

This summer, I’ve seen crowds gather at parks while dancing to live music. The local waterpark is open and full of excitement. Many people, including my mother, are returning to their normal jobs or have found a new job. 

All in all, it’s been nice to return to what the world used to be.

Downsides?

I’ll admit, I’m speaking for mostly myself and the few people closest to me when I talk about this… and I feel a little guilty saying there are downsides to adjusting back to normal. 

I must point out that I’m ecstatic about life continuing as it was pre-Pandemic. 

I stand by being vaccinated and taking precautions. 

AND I mourn alongside the world for everybody lost due to COVID. 

BUT that doesn’t mean that after a year of adjusting to a remote lifestyle there aren’t some growing pains. 

For one, the customer service industry is struggling. Not with getting customers, but with keeping staffed enough to meet customer demand. This is tricky for essentially everybody because, regardless of if you work in customer service, you probably enjoy stores, restaurants, and other places of leisure. 

There are also many people who are wondering about their children’s education after a year of remote learning (and how this might push them back academically), and then what to do to catch them up.

To Sum it Up

Essentially, it’s a lot of excitement, but also a lot that we still need to figure out and adjust to. 

Because, at the end of the day, COVID does still exist. Both literally and figuratively. 

Personally, I don’t believe our world will ever be entirely the same as it was before the Pandemic. And this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 

I feel like businesses are going to start analyzing their structures. I think we, as a society, have developed different attitudes and viewpoints toward sanitation and health. Some of us have discovered new passions and hobbies.

I guess all this is to say that I’m just one of millions who are witnessing this exact moment in time. In some ways, it feels like everything is new. There are some things, I’ll admit, I miss about last summer. I miss lazy days with my mom and having what felt like all the time in the world to work on projects. I miss time with friends and family because everybody was either working from home or not working at all. But I can’t deny the overall buzz of excitement in the air as more people are enjoying what is to come. The days are less lazy, work is picking back up, the world is just… turning again. It’s wonderful, and tiring, and it’s interesting, to say the least. 

So whether you love busy life post-Pandemic or secretly wish we could go remote again, we’re in this together. I think it’s going to take the same kind of courage we had during the Pandemic to help us transition out of it. 

But I know we can make it through this too. 

So keep your head up. Enjoy the fun in life. Realize the harder parts are inevitable and that you will persevere. And the world is on its way to being a better place.

Check out more articles by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/importance-of-maintaining-a-regular-sleep-schedule-during-summer-break/

The post A New Normal? Life After the Pandemic in Summer 2021 appeared first on GirlSpring.

The Statistics

According to scientists in the article “COVID pollution: impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global plastic waste footprint”, millions of single-use plastics (such as masks, gloves, aprons, and bottles of sanitizers) have been discarded into the environment and “could cause a surge in plastics washing up the ocean coastlines and littering the seabed”.

The article says “The amount of plastic wastes generated worldwide since the outbreak is estimated at 1.6 million tonnes/day. We estimate that approximately 3.4 billion single-use face masks/face shields are discarded daily as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, globally. Our comprehensive data analysis does indicate that COVID-19 will reverse the momentum of years-long global battle to reduce plastic waste pollution.”

That’s scary. 

But masks, gloves, and sanitizing products aren’t the only problem. More common products from Pre-Pandemic life like reusable bags and to-go containers from restaurants have also impacted our environment. 

A CNBC article by Emma Newburger and Amelia Lucas states that “Before the start of the outbreak, cities and states were making some progress on banning plastic bags, shifting away from single-use plastic — which ends up sitting in the ocean — to paper or reusable products. But now, cities and states have delayed or rolled back those bans on plastic bags in fear that reusable products will spread disease. Many retailers are banning customers from bringing reusable bags. Municipalities are scaling back recycling operations due to health concerns.”

The article goes on to talk about how a lot of restaurants stopped using reusable packaging when the Pandemic hit. Many establishments don’t have the infrastructure for reusable and compostable take-out container options. Promotion of other sustainable methods like reusable mugs stopped due to fears of reusable options being “dirty” and “dangerous”.

What You Can Do

Being mindful is the first step. As we’re coming out of the Pandemic, hopefully society will begin to shift back into more environmentally friendly options. Until then,  products like cloth masks that can be washed, reusable straws, water bottles, and grocery bags (in places that will allow them) are a great way to start. 

Also, make sure to recycle whenever possible and pick up excess trash if you see it. If there are plastic rings around products like sodas your family buys, cut the rings before disposing of the plastic so that animals don’t get trapped in between them. Encourage not eating out as much to eliminate waste from to-go containers (or dining in if you’re comfortable). 

These are little steps but they can make a huge impact. Though many of you probably already know these things, I think we all need a reminder now and then. With the amount of waste that has accumulated during the Pandemic, maybe that reminder is needed sooner rather than later. I know I didn’t even realize how wasteful I had been in trying to follow safety precautions until I saw the data. 

And now that we know, let’s help our society get back on track. Time to go save the world!

Check out more articles about the environment by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/phytoremediation-an-environmental-alternative/

The post Sustainability Post-Pandemic appeared first on GirlSpring.

This year, we’ve seen massive changes in the state of the world around us and in our personal lives. For many, this includes changes in our bodies. Specifically, weight gain.

Many are calling their Pandemic weight gain the “Quarantine-15“, or even “Gaining the Covid-19“. Catchy names aside, this can feel sudden and demoralizing. But I’m here to tell you that it’s okay. Whether you need a boost of confidence, a place to find some new clothes (regardless of your budget, size needs, and/or shopping preferences), or tips to help develop (or re-develop) healthy habits, I have you covered!

But First, Something I Need to Say

Bodies change! Most of us have heard of/ lived through puberty, but even with this, I want to remind you that we continue to grow and change as we get older and it’s NORMAL and HEALTHY.

Finding Confidence

I want you to think about your best friend in the entire world right now. If you’re anything like me, you think your friends are GORGEOUS. You’ve also probably seen them at their best and worst. Days when they’re glammed up and conquering the world AND days where… let’s face it… you both probably look like you need a shower. But even after seeing them in all kinds of contexts, you still think they’re amazing. 

And yet we often don’t extend that same kind of love and grace to ourselves.

So why do we hold ourselves to such unrealistic standards? 

Some people will say it’s the media, some will say societal bias, and some will even say maybe we’re just a little too self-absorbed (bringing up the “Why does having a flat stomach make the world a better place?” debate). Regardless of the reason, facing weight gain can be HARD.

For me, it was hard to recognize that, during the pandemic, a lot of my healthier habits were broken. I didn’t move as much as I used to and I ate out a lot more (and I wasn’t choosing healthy options). I just didn’t prioritize fitness and nutrition. 

BUT THEN I DUG DEEPER. 

I DID prioritize connecting virtually with friends and family, as well as my schoolwork and my writing. 

And overall, I prioritized surviving the pandemic. Just like all of us did. 

Putting my weight gain in context of something that just happened to be less important during that period of my life, it doesn’t feel like such a big deal anymore. 

So if you’ve also gained some weight this past year, I urge you to dig a little deeper. Imagine you are your best friend and think harder about the positive things you prioritized. You just lived through a massive time of uncertainty and tragedy. Your entire world probably changed and yet you made it through everything thrown at you. No amount of size change can take that away from you. You are amazing no matter what your body looks like.

Places to Shop for Cute Summer Clothes (on a Budget)

PS. Don’t worry about the size. Nobody sees it but you and you’ll look and feel so much better when you wear things that fit comfortably.

Thrift Stores: 

1. Sozo Trading Co
2. Vaper
3. LoveLady Thrift Store

In Person (non-thrift stores):

1. Target
   1. I’m obsessed with their clearance racks and have been for YEARS!
2. Old Navy
3. Ross
4. TJ Max

Online: 

1. Shein
   1. I recommend sizing up, as they typically run a little small (just make sure to measure yourself, look at size charts, and read reviews before purchasing). 
   2. Depending on the item, they carry sizes XS-XXXL
2. H & M Online
   1. Not extremely pricey (especially if you shop the sale section on the website like I do) and they carry sizes 0-4XL.

What If I Want to Get My Healthy Habits Back and Don’t Know Where to Start?

1. Move More, But In a Way You’ll Enjoy:

   1. I committed to walking an hour every day. This has allowed me to enjoy the summer sunshine, relax as I explore my neighborhood, and listen to my favorite music and podcasts, and… tbh… my legs have toned up a bit. 
   2. Here’s a list of fun exercises that I can do almost anytime.
      1. I like to hula hoop while watching TV and I try to incorporate movement like hiking (or just walking around), swimming, and dancing when I hang out with friends. 
   3. Make an effort to do smaller movement-oriented tasks throughout the day. 
      1. For me, this includes cleaning, going to the mailbox, and helping unload heavier groceries.

2. Learn Your Hunger Cues: 

   1. Sometimes, when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually thirsty, tired, anxious, sad, or bored. If you struggle with knowing your hunger cues, you can ask yourself:
      1. Am I procrastinating on a task? 
      2. Could I be I thirsty? 
      3. Am I sad or anxious about something I can’t change? Do I need to go journal, talk to a friend or a family member, or self-soothe with a bath, a good book, a walk, or my favorite music or movie? 
      4. Am I bored out of my mind right now? What can I do to mix up my routine in a safe and inexpensive way? 
   2. I also let myself eat anything I want. I just keep my portions and serving sizes in check. 

3. Eat More Fruits and Veggies! 

   1. I know… you saw this one coming. I’ve made a point to bulk up my meals with leafy greens, yummy cooked and seasoned vegetables, and tons of delicious fruit. This allows me to eat more and to feel fuller without being tired and sluggish after my meals. 
   2. You don’t have to spend a ton of money or to eat a huge array of foods either. I’m a relatively picky eater (on a budget) so I just took note of the fruits and vegetables I enjoy most and buy them in-season.

REMEMBER, COVID-19 has taken a lot away from a lot of people, so don’t let your happiness and sense of self-worth add to those things you may have lost.

Check out more articles by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/summer-plans-in-covid-19/

https://www.girlspring.com/self-care-checklist-2021-how-to-stay-healthy-amid-the-pandemic/

The post Gain the ‘Quarantine-15’? How to Feel Better Inside and Out appeared first on GirlSpring.

At this point in the pandemic, we all know that summer 2020 is probably not going to look like how we thought it would. I’m still holding out hope that eventually we will be able to do some regular summer activities, but for now, there is no way to predict when the world will go back to normal. Although I’m sad at the prospect of maybe not being able to hang out with friends, go on trips, or eat at restaurants this summer, I’ve been focusing on what I can do, and trying to make plans that are within my control.

Plan #1: Write for GirlSpring!

I am so excited to be writing for GirlSpring this summer! Since I can’t get a usual summer job like I have in the past—I have waitressed at a pizza restaurant for two years and before that I worked at our local ice cream shop—I have a lot more time on my hands. Brainstorming ideas for articles and honing my writing skills will not only give me something to do this summer, but I get to contribute to a wonderful online community. Also, it gives me a creative outlet to express my ideas!

Plan #2: Intern with Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson

The second thing I will be doing this summer is participating in the remote summer internship for a grassroots non-profit based in Poughkeepsie, NY called Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson. This is a fantastic organization that fights for social justice in the Hudson Valley and every year works on multiple campaigns. Some of the things they are fighting for right now include immigration justice, civil engagement and voter registration, and utility justice. I am psyched to be working with them because this type of social justice work is what I want to do post-graduation, so it will give me some experience in the field and allow me to dedicate my time to creating change. I encourage anyone in need of something to do to find ways to volunteer and help out in your community!

Plan #3: Be Creative

I hope to use some of my time this summer to pursue the creative activities that I always wish I could do, and never have time for in my usual busy schedule. I am a singer-songwriter, and I probably won’t be able to perform much this summer due to venues being closed, but I can use the down time to write more music. I’ve also been exploring painting! I’ve discovered that watercolor is hard but I love painting flowers. Cooking is another fun activity that I don’t usually get to do, especially living in a dorm room, so I’ve been taking advantage of this time at home to look up recipes and experiment in the kitchen. This is a great time to try something that you may not have done before or might not be good at, because it doesn’t matter as long as it’s fun for you!

Plan #4: Go Easy On Myself

With all the social media craze surrounding quarantine and how everybody is filling their time, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and feel like you’re not doing enough. It’s important to remember that everybody is different, and taking care of yourself and your health, both physical and mental, should be first priority. Having fun or being productive may look different for me than it does for somebody else. And you don’t have to have fun or be productive every day! We are living through an incredibly stressful and taxing time, and it is something that literally nobody who is alive now has experienced in their lifetime. Remember to be kind to yourself and do what you need to stay sane. For me, that’s making plans and focusing on the things I can control. Take the time you need to figure out what works for you!

Check out more summer activity articles by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/diy-crochet-summer-tote/

The post Summer Plans in COVID-19 appeared first on GirlSpring.

Pay attention to immunity

While prevention is your first line of defense against the virus, you cannot go slack with immunity. A strong immune system gives you an upper hand, because it will not let the virus do any harm to your body. Thankfully, you need not do much to bolster your immune health. Eating a balanced diet with immunity-boosting foods can do wonders. Load up on herbs, spices, and supplements that help you get stronger from within. Follow an active lifestyle and keep medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension under control.

Schedule the missed doctor visits

You will probably have missed out on routine visits to your dentist, optometrist, and dermatologist in 2020. Now is the time to make up and schedule your routine checkups to ensure that you are fit and healthy. Check with your nutritionist and personal trainer if you want guidance on your diet and fitness even as you stay at home. Don’t ignore the slightest symptoms and get medical attention right away.

Prioritize mental health

The pandemic has taken a toll on mental health as stress and anxiety are rampant. Right now, restoring your mental health should be the top priority. Start your day with meditation. You can seek respite in natural aids such as cannabis. It does wonders for anxiety yet does not have any side effects. Vaping is a good way to experience relief, and you can easily buy cannabis from a legal store. If you are a first-timer, exploring Mind Vapes for your vape accessories is a good idea. You can find a wide range of products and get great offers to economize the purchase.

Get moving

Since the threat is still at large, you may not want to go back to the gym or your aerobics class. But don’t use it as an excuse to miss out on your workout schedules in 2021. Invest in a home gym or switch to an outdoor activity you can practice safely. Brisk walks make a good way to get moving without worrying about social distancing. A regular workout schedule prevents obesity and boosts immunity, so it should be a part of your daily routine.

Give a makeover to your living space

Self-care is as much about your surroundings as it is about your body and mind. Consider giving your home a healthy makeover this year. Start by decluttering your living space, rearrange the furniture to allow free flow of light and air, and bring in some greenery with indoor plants. Investing in an air purifier is a good idea if you have a bigger budget. The appliance can make your home healthier.

Following these self-care tips this year can help you stay safe and healthy even amid the pandemic. Make them a part of life and continue even after the crisis is over.

Check out more articles on self-care and staying healthy from GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/healthy-food/

https://www.girlspring.com/why-is-self-care-important-knowing-how-and-when-to-take-a-break/

The post Self-Care Checklist 2021: How To Stay Healthy Amid The Pandemic appeared first on GirlSpring.