IN A LOCKDOWN STATE OF MIND
In the past couple of months, with the outbreak of the dreaded coronavirus, we have all had to make changes in how we plan our daily routines and lives. With most of the public places like malls, theatres, parks and fitness centres being temporarily closed, staying indoors is the only responsible and safest resort. Hence, utilising this time to productively unwind has been my approach these days and has led me to find innovative ways to keep busy.
Here’s what my routine before the lockdown used to be – I would wake up by 7:30 am, do my morning workout, grab a healthy breakfast and then set off for work. I would typically get home from work by 9:30 pm and unwind by spending some time with my family and reading a book before going to bed by midnight.
Not much has changed in this regard during the lockdown. I still get a good seven hours of sleep, eat my meals on time and work from home instead of going to the office. Being connected online is a wonderful thing, and has been the perfect aid in this lockdown. Where earlier I would explore different workout forms at gyms and fitness studios in the city, I’ve been able to keep up with my fitness needs through the virtual world. With a number of workouts being provided every day by digital fitness platforms like ours, and live streaming sessions being offered by trainers, there’s a lot one can do fitness-wise.
Staying at home for a longer time has also let me explore my culinary skills. It’s been a delight to explore new recipes for healthy meals and snacks, and this is also helping me avoid temptation from junk food! I have also made it my mission to stay active during this extended home-stay by taking on tasks around the house that keep me on my feet. I try to incorporate different exercises into these everyday tasks, for a quick workout throughout the day.
While I miss the daily commute and my desk at the office, thanks to a number of digital services and an amazing team, work has been going on smoothly. I routinely connect with my team over video conferences and attend to the tasks that are high on priority. I avoid sitting in one place for too long, and I highly recommend getting up every 20 minutes to stretch your limbs, do some hand, feet and neck rotations or take a stroll around the house. This helps to keep me energised and allows me to relax my muscles from time to time.
Another thing I am glad about during this lockdown is the chance to catch up on my reading bucket list. Reading has always been a favourite pastime for me, and I always have a book on my nightstand. From discovering new titles, to re-reading old favourites like ‘Steve Jobs’ by Walter Isaacson, the bibliophile in me is happy. I also like to incorporate yoga, pranayama and meditation sessions throughout the week, as it helps in relaxing the mind and keeping stress at bay.
While most of the world (and I) are waiting for this lockdown to lift, we understand why this is so necessary for our safety, and I want to do my part in making sure my team and I stay safe in these times. We have made it our team’s mission to be as productive as we can be while also discovering innovative and unique fitness solutions for our customers in this evolving situation that is our ‘new normal’.