Wellness in the Time of Fear and Corruption

I don’t know about you, but I think Pete Buttigieg is the sexiest man of the year. John Krasinski? Well, I haven’t noticed him in the last few months as Pete traveled the country on my behalf. And his childish joy and giddiness during interview after interview this week exemplifies what’s wrong with this country. How about he says something along the lines of, “Well, thank you very much, but at this moment in history, this shouldn’t be our focus. Perhaps it’s time to make good men sexy. Join me as I announce my ‘Sexy Man’ platform, and pass this honor to Pete Buttigieg.” You know, all hands on deck, even if you think it’s the Titanic?

Okay, moving on. Namaste.

Watch the video above and see if you relate.

I loved Pete this political season. Time and time again, he kept not only his cool but also his authentic caring for the people I find hard to even look at. It was truly one of the highlights of being on the side I’m on. I thank him for that.

Then I watched this (see video above) and realized it’s taken a toll, even if you and I can’t see it.

In his defense, I couldn’t have done it either; I hate yoga, for example, and it brings out rage in me about a million other things. Read my I Hate Yoga Piece here.

But the message is clear.

This is a time for us to take action, yes, but also to take care of ourselves.

I was talking to my friend and cohort, Shanette, last week, and she told me that during the pandemic, she was so upset about what it was going to do to her posse that she decided to channel that into getting into the best shape of her life. And she did. And now, she’s going to do it again.

Best shape of our lives, people. We have work to do and need the energy to do it. Best shape of your life; 2025.

Five things to do in the morning:

— Drink a tall glass of water first thing. I put lemon in mine by buying six lemons and making ice cubes out of them. Then I take a cube, put it in warm water, and drink it. Your liver, which works as hard as Pete does, will thank you. It freshens up that liver for the day ahead.

— Then, dance to one song. The benefits to your mood, focus—you name it—are tremendous.

— Spend five minutes in the sun, ten if it’s cloudy. I make myself stand outside, even though it’s getting cold, and I stretch this weary body while drinking coffee. I set my phone to time it because sometimes ten minutes feels like five hours. I try hard to do it every morning. It sets your circadian rhythm.

— Sit with nothing in front of you and let your mind go wherever it’s going to go.

— Write down something you’re grateful for. I do it on a piece of slate over my sink so I can see it all day. I change it each day.

These are such small things. I’m not good with, “I will exercise on a Stairmaster for one hour in 210-degree heat before plunging into freezing cold water.” It’s just not going to happen, but I can do these five things. I’ve come to love them because they’re easy, helpful, and I feel a sense of accomplishment every single day I do them.

Have a great weekend. Nothing bad has happened to any of us. Remember that. We will deal with the future, one day at a time.

— CM