Mentally & Emotionally Healthy

During the beginning of quarantine, as many of us likely experienced, it was challenging and it was an adjustment. I experienced some sides of myself that aren’t my best, and I am thankful that I have God to help me become aware of it and adjust quickly. We are all impacted by this, we aren’t alone in it. I was inspired to write this for myself during the beginning of this quarantine as I needed to hear these words and advice myself so I hope you find a blessing in it! 

• Physical distancing and quiet time: I have seen some threads going around that are changing the perspective on the terms “social distancing” and “quarantine” as we want to continue being social and coming together in unity, while physically separated we don’t have to lose communication or interaction with each other. Let's be more intentional about reaching out to each other and staying in contact. So tip #1 is to stay in contact, close contact with friends, family, loved ones, don’t isolate yourself. Especially stay in contact with people that are going to be a source of encouragement, hope, love, peace. Use the technology we have, facetime, zoom, Marco Polo, social media to be social and connect. We are social beings, our brains are wired to be social so let's keep that in mind and stay connected to our tribe. Schedule zoom hangouts with friends. 

• GET UP EARLY: It might be tempting to sleep in but keep as close to your routine as possible, still get up at the same time, get in your normal morning routine
• GET YOUR TRAINING IN: Keep as close to your normal training schedule as possible! This is a great time to force us out of our normal routines and comfort zones and requires us to get creative with our training. You can still get ineffective sessions in your living room. This is a great time to give your body a new stimulus, bodyweight workouts especially squats and pushups!
• CONTINUE TO FUEL YOUR BODY WELL: Providing your body with the nutrients it needs makes you feel good and does wonders for our brain and mood

• Keep going, life is not on pause, life goes on - Fight the urge to give in to negative thoughts and defeating thoughts. Be praying to ask God how you can continue to do his work even though you aren’t able to GO OUT and do it. 

• GIVE GOD WHAT WE HAVE: What do we have in front of us? What can we do with what we have? What can we still do for God? God asked Moses to give him what he had, his staff and God used that staff, we have to be open-minded about what we CAN do at this time. Get creative. Get innovative. Lay down our staff and all we have to be used for God at this time and make the most of this season. Look for what ways you can still use your god given gifts and be a conduit of God's power.
• BE ATTENTIVE AND OPEN: God has something for us in every season. When we let go of resistance and open ourselves up to possibilities, to God working and having something for us NOW it shifts our mindset and our mood. There is something for us in every season, glean what this season has as well as what fruit this season can produce from your tree. Also be open to what you are learning about yourself, life and God during this season. Things that are “taken” away from us this season may open our eyes and show us that we are okay without them. This is a time where we can see how much we truly appreciate certain things that we realize bring us so much value in our lives. We can also even see how our state of mind and our joy and peace do not come from external circumstances but more from our thoughts, our perspectives, our perceptions and what we are focusing on. 
• GOD CALLS US TO GROW: This is a great opportunity for us to grow as individuals and as a community. Don’t let the confines of social distancing keep you small, fearful. Look at this as a time to face challenges head-on, to grow, to get out of your comfort zone. God is good and he will give you mighty tools for your toolbox in this season preparing you for greater things. 
• TAKE FLYTE: At FLYTE, we believe in using the storms to take us higher. We go into the storm to get through the storm. Through weathering the storm we grow stronger. 

• A cheerful heart is a good medicine. Times are hard for everyone but God is still good and we are still abounding in blessings, be light-hearted, laugh

• How we respond to challenges says a lot about who we are and what we believe. What we do will determine where we will go, drawing close to the Lord will determine where we will go, we either draw closer to the lord or we get further from him.

• God is the creator of all the heavens, the earth, the stars, and each one of us. Since he is our creator, trust in him and his purposes for us individually and his purpose for all of this. 

• Keep His word in your heart and mind, his promises and his faithfulness. He has a plan and works all things for good Jeremiah 29:11-13 Romans 8:28

-Charissa

Charissa is a Performance Coach, Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Fitness Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and holds a B.S. in Kinesiology. She also holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration. She is a follower of Jesus, passionate about faith, fitness, nutrition, a lifestyle of total health, meditating, learning and growing!