7 rituals to banish languishing in the pandemic
By: Melissa Fleming
Tags: Meditation, Journaling, Covid 19, Mental Health, Cooking

So, how are you? Let me guess. You aren’t thriving, but you aren’t exactly depressed either? Chances are you’re languishing, a state characterised by an absence of well-being. There’s a lot of it about. The term pre-dates the pandemic, but lockdown has likely driven millions into this dispirited mood.

The languishing struggle with focus and motivation. Not quite in crisis mode; they aren’t quite content. They just are, and they’re going nowhere fast. While this isn’t a mental illness, research suggests they risk falling more seriously ill further down the line. So, it’s worth taking seriously.

The good news is treatment is at hand. Languishing can be banished by entering a state known as flow, the experience of being so immersed in a task that you lose track of time. Psychologists say a small challenge, a meaningful goal, and a sense of daily progress, can do wonders for well-being.

With this in mind, I’d like to share with you some of the daily rituals I rely on to nourish my mind, body, and spirit. Every day throughout lockdown, these exercises have helped me deal with the constant low-level anxiety of COVID and brought joy into this pared-down existence.

So here are my seven strategies for health and well-being during the pandemic. Some might be familiar to you, others totally new. I’d love to hear what’s kept you going this past year. Do share your own tips in the comments.

1. Meditating

Meditation, the act of training the brain to enter a state of calmness and clarity, is the best way I know to settle anxious thoughts. Daily practice with the help of apps such as Calm, 1 Giant Mind, and Waking Up, have helped me dispel fears about getting sick, or about the impact of the pandemic on the world. Just a few minutes a day makes all the difference.

2. Breathing

Anyone familiar with the Wim Hof Method knows the power behind proper breathing. Breathing more consciously helps oxygenate the body, which in turn strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, and reduces stress levels. For an extra challenge, a daily cold shower has been shown to stimulate the blood vessels and boost resilience.

3. Fasting

I’ve long been a believer in intermittent fasting to maintain a healthy weight, especially with the reduced activity associated with working from home. I first started eating this way after my brush with cancer. It feels good to give my body a proper break from processing food and there’s evidence to suggest fasting gives the body a chance to service itself and detox.

4. Journaling

This is a wonderful habit I plan to expand upon in another post. Put simply, I write freely and intuitively first thing every morning, jotting down anything that comes to mind. The content isn’t meant to be read, it’s simply a way to clear the mind and get writing. I’ve found this daily download of worries, inspiration, ideas, regrets and aspirations to be really liberating.

5. Cooking

I’ve found cooking and eating nourishing meals gives badly needed structure to lockdown life. What’s more, trying a new recipe with my daughter gives us both a kick of purpose and satisfaction. We aim for locally sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients and I look forward to our weekly box of misshapen fruit and veg that would otherwise get tossed out.

6. Running

Most days I go running with my husband. Beyond the obvious fitness benefits, I’ve found this a wonderful way to reconnect with nature. Living in New York, we make a point of heading to locations where we can see the seasons change, typically either the Riverside or Central Parks. These places have become our sanctuary. I always return calmed, awed, and rested.

7. Podcast listening

This year, pandemic news dominated my reading diet. I often felt too restless to settle down with a book, so I listened instead — during runs, while getting ready in the morning, on my way to get groceries or to work. Long-form podcasts enriched my mind and broadened my understanding. For news in context, I turned to the NYT’s The Daily, Today in Focus from the Guardian and BBC Newshour; for perspective, Making Sense with Sam Harris; on media trends: NPR’s On the Media and BBC Trending and the series, Rabbit Hole; and for inspiration, Outrage & Optimism and BBC Outlook.