Although I had initially hoped to avoid adding to the heaping mass of media around COVID-19, It appears there is just no escaping it, and ignoring the issue and attempting to go about one's normal life, while simply taking a few extra pre-cautions here and there has long since been ruled out as an option. 

 Here is my piece on the world-wide pandemic, and what I’m doing, and you could too, to stay calm and make use of this quieter time.

In line with the most recent guidelines released by the government, around staying inside as much as possible and avoiding contact with others, those of us who are in positions where we are able to socially isolate, should. To do our part in flattening the curb and slowing the spread of the virus.

If you are one of many, in Bahrain and all around the world now spending the vast majority of your time at home, here are some of the things I’m doing, to keep sane and try my best to grow through this time…

For my body, my mind and my sanity:

I’m finally forcing myself to give yoga a proper go!

Along with all the other gyms in Bahrain, the gym I frequent shut just about a week ago, and after coming down from the panic this induced, I decided I would try to get myself to properly commit to practicing yoga.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with practicing yoga, while I love the idea of finding my zen, and reaping the aesthetic Instagram clicks that will no doubt follow, whenever I’ve found myself in a yoga class I can barely stay awake from boredom. This is no comment on the instructor, nor the facility, but rather the business of my own mind.

Now I’ve designated a corner of my apartment, just for my yoga mat, and I’m doing my best to try to be on it, every day. 

Moreover, what this time is giving me an opportunity to do, is give my skin and hair a total break. No makeup is needed, no heat products to damage my hair. Some time to rebalance, and stabilize. It can also be good for one's mental state to retrieve from the face painting ritual that so many of us practice every morning.

That being said, I have found that completely abandoning my morning routine is far more to my detriment, I have to make myself wake-up at a reasonable hour and start the day.

Allowing ourselves to fall too far into 'vacay mode', means we risk losing any opportunity to make use of this stagnant time, and in my experience, makes t much harder to fight off the anxiety and worry that surrounds all of this.

To be straight with you all though, I have already have days where I have accomplished very little, failed to do yoga, properly care for my skin and face the tasks that are still required of me. It is a scary time, virtually surround yourself with positivity and be gentle with yourself.

Above all, practice consciousness of your position, if you are in one of privilege. Donate if you can, help where your can. Be responsible, be careful. Tread lightly.

I hope I made your isolation a little calmer today.