Adult Coloring

Considering trying adult coloring. This is a polished version of coloring books made for children. There are many more spaces to be colored, present a beautiful picture when completed and give you an outlet for the stress of life. This is an activity that could be done by yourself, with others in person or while video chatting with your friends online. When complete your photos could be scanned in order to become your screen saver or be shared on your social media. As you post your completed coloring pages encourage others to join in. Establish a routine where others may join into an online group call with this as the planned activity.

Music Play List

Create a "My Quiet Time" music play list. Add only calming music. Only songs that make you feel calm are allowed to be on this playlist. Look for songs with a tempo of not higher than 75 beats per minute. When you begin to tense up or your mind is racing use this playlist to ground you and break the cycle.

Exercise

Build a 20 minute exercise activity into your routine every other day. This could be as simple as going for a walk. If it would help motivate you take your or a neighbours dog for a walk. If the weather is poor you could walk inside a nearby mall or big box store. Alternatively this could be push ups, sit ups or exercising along side your favorite personality in a video. If mobility is a problem there are options for you as well. Sitting while raising and lowering a water bottle in each hand will give you a basic cardio work out. Alternatively consider if using a pool would work for you. You could exercise while listening to your favorite music or podcast to make it fun. This could become a social activity where you get a exercise partner to do this with you in person, using your web cam or simply connecting on a voice so you may talk while doing your 20 minutes of exercise. In part this will help you feel good about your body, mind and overall health.

Consider Your Media Consumption

Consider what media you are consuming and why. Assess if it is helpful, neutral or hurtful to you. Avoid the trap of keeping your mind over stimulated. Instead of continually watching videos or scrolling through your social media allow yourself time to process and reflect upon what you are seeing. Also be intentional to build time in your day for your own thoughts, reflection on life and the goals you are working towards. Over several weeks try and see what works best for you. Talk this over with your friends and ask if they see a positive change in you. Consider finishing your day with a nature documentary, watching a live stream of a fish tank or camp fire.

Have A Hobby

Take an inventory of what interests you have, your practical skills and what you want to learn more about. Then using this list work out hobbies match that you could try. Once you have made a list of hobbies talk this over with people you know or those who you follow on social media as a post themed around improving yourself. Use this feedback to form an action plan. Determine what steps you need to get started. Figure out what tools, equipment and supplies are necessary. Since the initial goal is to test if this hobby works in the real world consider what tools or supplies you may borrow from others so you have a chance try before investing your money in this. As part of your action plan identify an online community you could brainstorm with, share the highs & lows of the creative process and the successes you achieve. Ask yourself if what you create could be sold and earn you just enough money to begin buying supplies or tools for your next project.

Keep A Journal

Buy yourself a binder and package of lined paper to use a your journal. Commit to writing in it for a minimum of 10 minutes each day. Pick a time each day that works for you. Consider pairing this with another activity such as writing in your journal after you eat your lunch. Initially use this to reflect on your life. Write about your hopes and dreams. Share what makes you feel vulnerable with your journal. When something good happens or a friend shares encouragement add this to your journal. Then as your life begins to transform and you become more engaged record the activities you are doing, how it made you feel, if you enjoyed it and what you found satisfying while doing the activity. If you wake up and have a hard time getting started use your journal to write about what you are thinking about, how you are feeling and what you are learning about yourself.