When I get up these days I take a few seconds to confirm what day of the week it is. Then, because I am such a good friend, I send text reminders to a few friends who might need that reminder (; Since today feels like number 3,476,953 days of quarantine, I definitely needed to remind myself that today is THURSDAY. Typically, I love a Thursday. Thursday represents the winding down of the week. Thursday represents the earliest beginnings of the weekend.
If you have been around me you have heard me tell the story of growing up and the significance of Thursdays. Due to my dad’s schedule as a dentist he did not work on Fridays and, from what I can tell, only worked half a day on Thursdays. I recall he went to our local hospital to do something. Looking back now I have no idea what that was because, well, he was a dentist. Not a surgeon, OBGYN, or general practitioner making hospital rounds to check on patients. Maybe someone out there can tell me what actually was going on at that time. . . .
What I do know – and my brother and I used to talk about this – was that in my family the weekends began on Thursdays. That is because on Thursday afternoons my dad began his weekend of fishing, hunting or golf, depending on the season. Things got a little more relaxed around the home and the general “feel” was that lovely “weekend” feel. That feeling carried over to college when Thursday nights brought on some of the best band parties and even into law school as Thursdays were generally a night of getting out of the library. All these years later I still get that feeling when Thursdays roll around.
During these Corona days, every day can feel pretty much like the next, or the one before. For many of us the weekends are pretty much the same as the week days. Sure, we might not find ourselves working, glued to our laptops or computers, but other than that the days can seem the same.
I think part of being well and staying well, especially during this time, largely depends on how we take care of ourselves holistically. Of course, we should be eating well and nurturing ourselves with good foods. Hopefully, we can all come out of this without the effects of stress or boredom eating too much crap or indulging in too much wine or “liquid crap”. Hopefully, we have all used this bit of extra time to move more, exercise more, even though the circumstances are far from ideal. I’ve loved seeing SO MANY folks out walking these days! I’ve loved the creative way fitness trainers, instructors and gym owners have provided workouts, online classes, encouragement and motivation to continue with workouts, and even getting folks to start something new with this extra time. One of my friends said we can use this time to get fitter or fatter. I hope we are all choosing the FIRST choice!
Putting the eating and exercising aside for now, we all know how important those things are to staying well. Getting through some of the stress, difficulties, challenges and changes right now takes some conscience effort on all of our parts to really take care of ourselves with intentional acts of self care.
Being super mindful of what we are thinking, how we are feeling, how we are resting, whether we are sleeping, and being intentional about taking care of ourselves internally, not just externally and physically, will help us stay well. We need to focus on protecting and nurturing our insides, so to speak.
Weekends are typically important for that re-set at the end of the week. A time to relax a little, enjoy a hobby, time with friends and family, rest. This should not change simply because we are quarantined. There still needs to be a separation of the work week with the weekend. There still needs to be something to look forward to, something to work toward and know that there is a little “reward” at some time. It may sound like a mental game but I think, at least for me, it is incredibly important for our mindset and mental health.
Sooooo, since the weekend begins on Thursdays (in my world), I am thinking of ways to set the next couple of days apart from the rest of the week. What things can you do to make the weekend a little special while still sheltering at home?
Perhaps a little more rest, ordering a meal from a local restaurant as a treat (and to help out a business), a house party or zoom call with friends or family, a special little cocktail or mocktail, a bit of peace sitting outside, or spending more time outside, a different form of exercise? Whatever means weekend to you.
And, of course, the weekend is the perfect time to get in another workout. This one is from a Wednesday, but what does it really matter these days? This is a total body that gets a little bit of everything. Warning: There is a LOT of background chatter here. Mute it if you want!! I hope you enjoy!
Is it Wednesday? from Marla-Deen Brooks on Vimeo.
BE WELL!
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