Adapting to the New Normal - 1

Yesterday I stepped out in public after 5 + months, for some work than couldn’t wait. 

A lot has changed. Use of masks, sanitizers and temperature guns was a common sight (thankfully), almost everywhere. Some people were sure careless about how much their masks really covered their faces. Social distancing was ok in the mall, but on the road it wasn’t easy even for me, as people kept walking past me, though just for few seconds. 

Having Asthma and wearing spectacles along with the mask, made it much more difficult. In the 40 minutes that I was in the shop, which apparently didn’t switch on their AC, my state went from bad to worse. I started sweating profusely and the sweat dripped through my spectacles inside my mask. I had tightened a mask a bit as I felt it was lose. Now those strings were pressing my ears corners deeply and it began to hurt. Neither could I remove and adjust the mask again (not a safe practice), nor could I leave the place as the work was in between. In no time, due to lack of free flow of oxygen, my head started paining acutely. And began to feel dizzy. Thankfully, I could manage till the work got over and rushed back. But by the time I got back home, I had a splitting headache, dizziness and my sight had become haisy. 

Some love, care and good night sleep helped me jump back to normalcy this morning. 

But here are some lessons: 

1. If you are like me - asthmatic and wear spectacles - either avoid going to public places or switch to lenses. I am ordering one today. 

2. If you are a woman and you Carry a bag, try and use a sling bag so as to avoid keeping it at any surface. I struggled to keep my normal bag intact on my shoulders. 

3. Carry a pouch of tissues. You will use the sanitizers multiple times. But will have nothing to wipe your hands with if you wished to. You may also need it to wipe any objects you touch probably. I needed it for my phone. 

4. Carry a disinfectant spray in your bag if you can. I use Sachin spray. Really effective and quick. 

5. Carry your own sanitizer bottle in your bag or pocket. In case you need it and the shops don’t have it. 

6. If you have long hair like mine, tie them in a bun, not a pony, not open, not a braid. You don’t want it to rub against any items. 

And most importantly, in general, work on improving your immunity.

I may sound like a phobic. But if we need to learn to live this virus, we need to learn to change and alter our ways a bit. I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Adapting to the New Normal - 1

Yesterday I stepped out in public after 5 + months, for some work than couldn’t wait. 

A lot has changed. Use of masks, sanitizers and temperature guns was a common sight (thankfully), almost everywhere. Some people were sure careless about how much their masks really covered their faces. Social distancing was ok in the mall, but on the road it wasn’t easy even for me, as people kept walking past me, though just for few seconds. 

Having Asthma and wearing spectacles along with the mask, made it much more difficult. In the 40 minutes that I was in the shop, which apparently didn’t switch on their AC, my state went from bad to worse. I started sweating profusely and the sweat dripped through my spectacles inside my mask. I had tightened a mask a bit as I felt it was lose. Now those strings were pressing my ears corners deeply and it began to hurt. Neither could I remove and adjust the mask again (not a safe practice), nor could I leave the place as the work was in between. In no time, due to lack of free flow of oxygen, my head started paining acutely. And began to feel dizzy. Thankfully, I could manage till the work got over and rushed back. But by the time I got back home, I had a splitting headache, dizziness and my sight had become haisy. 

Some love, care and good night sleep helped me jump back to normalcy this morning. 

But here are some lessons: 

1. If you are like me - asthmatic and wear spectacles - either avoid going to public places or switch to lenses. I am ordering one today. 

2. If you are a woman and you Carry a bag, try and use a sling bag so as to avoid keeping it at any surface. I struggled to keep my normal bag intact on my shoulders. 

3. Carry a pouch of tissues. You will use the sanitizers multiple times. But will have nothing to wipe your hands with if you wished to. You may also need it to wipe any objects you touch probably. I needed it for my phone. 

4. Carry a disinfectant spray in your bag if you can. I use Sachin spray. Really effective and quick. 

5. Carry your own sanitizer bottle in your bag or pocket. In case you need it and the shops don’t have it. 

6. If you have long hair like mine, tie them in a bun, not a pony, not open, not a braid. You don’t want it to rub against any items. 

And most importantly, in general, work on improving your immunity.

I may sound like a phobic. But if we need to learn to live this virus, we need to learn to change and alter our ways a bit. I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Sleeping for a Healthy Life

One of the most essential needs of any living being is a good quality sleep. With the rising stress levels, I hear many struggling with getting a good night sleep. 

Not very long ago, I was there too. Here are some steps I took to self heal my sleeplessness and other sleep issues. Sharing a few of these steps with you all. 

1. Hygiene - cleanliness has a big role to play. Ensure your sheets, your room and you yourself are clean right before bedtime. 

2. Calm body - you can either use a good healing scented soap, scrub or body wash to have a hot water bath, or light a scented candle in your room. You can also use a room fresher or just a perfume of your choice. The important thing is to find the scent or fragrance that calms you down. 

3. Calm mind - deep breathing is the best method to calm an active brain. Simply close your eyes and do slow rhythmic deep breathing for 5 to 10 minutes. Writing also induces calm in the otherwise hyper active mind. It allows you to vent your thoughts on paper and empty your mind. Looking at the next day’s schedule and mentally preparing for it, helps me immensely. 

4. Time - though very difficult these days, and I myself am unable to follow this always, but sleeping at the same time every day also helps. It trains our mind and body to start getting into sleep mode when its sleep time. 

5. Gratitude - one of the prime reasons of an anxious mind is the fear of tomorrow. Gratitude towards every small thing you have been blessed with, allows you to let go and surrender. It will enable you to embrace every single day with the same energy. Thereby reducing anxiety of the future. I like to write my gratitude journal everyday before bed time. 

Hope you find these useful. Do share your comments on this and also on other steps you take to get a good night sleep every night.