thedailymagic

[thedailymagic]

MiND

Ah, the siren song of self-care.

But wait: what IS self-care? Is it putting cucumber in your water and ignoring work e-mails? Is it cookies in bed? Is it...yoga?  I’m not here to answer those questions for you. I will say that in my experience, there’s a very blurry line between self-care and self-indulgence. And while it is tempting to take a daily bath (though if you can, DO THAT) - it’s similarly tempting to leave the robe on and maybe not comb your hair and have chocolate for dinner and popcorn for breakfast because the world’s ending anyway, right?

Wrong.  Routine, ritual, scheduling, whatever you call it - the things we do every day to bring structure to our lives are more important now than ever. Sure, you may not be making the same commute or seeing the same (or *cough* any) people, but that doesn’t mean it should all go to hell. Our brains crave stimulus, enrichment, input - and it’s harder to give it to ourselves, but not impossible. And while the internet is a tool for mental self-harm, it can also be a real blessing. I’m here to show you how. 

Of course, it goes almost without saying that there are plenty of things you can do offline to take care of your mental. So, by all means, draw, write, paint, sing, play! No better time than now. But if you’re having trouble getting started, or stuck in a rut, this post is for you.  Now, before I conclude this little intro...special consideration has been given to those of us who are not neurotypical. Those who are missing their therapists, who may have chewed their nails raw in an anxious spiral, or may slowly be realizing that they have a real problem. I’m here for you, too. 

Therapy BetterHelp - I have no insurance and I’ve moved six times in two years. BetterHelp has kept up with those moves, and I’ve been able to switch therapists as my needs changed. Best of all, they offer income-based financial aid - meaning, you can qualify for a month of therapy for as little as $182. That’s four hour-long video sessions and unlimited messaging. Insane. Sorry. Very cool.

ACA - Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families. Look, I’m not here to judge. But if your upbringing was to the left of normal, you might want to look here. E-meetings are live and in effect, and they’re free to join. If you’re shy, you can just lurk - there’s also a free newsletter. 

Turn2me - Online group sessions to meet and discuss your issues. Completely free, but you do have to book in advance. Also, they link to a variety of mental health resources. 

Meditation Headspace - Before Lumosity, I used Headspace. No games, just gentle, sweet animations and recordings to help you get used to the idea of mindfulness and meditation. It’s very no-pressure, and zero woo-woo. 

Medium - Don’t feel like downloading an app? Start with this simple article on a mindfulness exercise. And while you’re there, medium has tons of articles on any topic you can imagine. 

DailyOM - DailyOM provides exercises, courses, and instruction in a “pay what you will” format. Sure, the most popular (and most visible) courses are for toning the body, but don’t be dissuaded - there are many more on topics like communication, boundary-setting, and meditation. $15 gets you 8-12 weeks of material, and their articles are free.  

Games Lumosity - I was skeptical of using Lumosity, thinking that silly little brain games wouldn’t be worth my time. Turns out, I’m that type of anxious where meditation doesn’t always work, but a simple, pleasant game was the perfect distraction to calm myself down. Also, they’re actually fun! I just bought a years’ access for $52 - and I use it every day. Dozens of games, many categories, PLUS a recent addition for meditation and mindfulness. And yes, free trials abound. 

Incredibox - Probably the coolest one on here. Incredibox is a beat-maker, for the non-musician. By assigning pre-looped tracks to a variety of characters, you play DJ for yourself. It’s incredibly soothing, almost hypnotic, and it makes me feel like a musical genius. You can save and share your creations, and there are desktop and app versions, so you can mix on the go. 

Jigzone - Friggin puzzles you can do online. C’mon. 

Learning Duolingo - for you masochists who don’t mind being harassed by a little green owl into learning a language. Jokes aside, this is an excellent training or refresher tool. Esp for those parents with kids who had to stop their language classes. Don’t try to speak French! Just download the app! It’s free. 

Udemy - Take a course on virtually anything, for next to nothing. Class prices start at 10.99. 

Masterclass - the highest-cost (but still relatively low) option - Masterclass is 15/month (billed yearly, for some reason) for specialized instruction from individuals at the top of their respective fields. Imagine, a cooking class where Gordon Ramsay doesn’t yell at you. Or, storytelling with Neil Gaiman!

Remember, y’all - your mind is a palace. Stock it well.  Love,

E

[thedailymagic]

BODY

Yo. Where are your shoulders? Near your ears?  How bout your jaw? Is it clenched?  Thought so.  Take a second and take a deep breath, see if you can’t release some of those muscles. Chances are, if you’re already hunched over a desk, or a laptop, it’s having disastrous effects on your posture, and, in turn, your mental health. No shade to Igor, but I can’t imagine his self-esteem was super high.  Below are a variety of simple, at-home exercise routines you can use to realign your body and calm your mind. If you have a floor, a wall, and (gasp) a yoga mat, you good. 

I’ve personally used these routines and can vouch for their benefits. If you have any questions, ask! 

First Thing In The Morning: Short & Simple

1 - If you do one stretch all day, it’s the first one from this 15-minute routine. And if you do one routine all day, it’s this one. 

2 - Can you stand? You can do this workout. Plus, there’s a friggin FRENCH BULLDOG on the mat. Great for those who don’t want to lie back down as soon as they get up.

3 - If you have an exercise band or strap, use it here! Another short routine that makes my back feel better than normal. Feel the Burn: When you Actually Want to Break a Sweat

Jeff Cavaliere is a G. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the human body and uses it to craft short, effective routines that will kick your ass. Plus, his followers absolutely ADORE him - read through the comments for some bros expressing their love. 1- Yes, it’s intense loud music with lots of CAPITAL LETTERS but it’s the best short free workout I’ve found on the internet.  2 - This is a 10-minute full-body workout. The video is 6 minutes long. Only Jeff is capable of such feats.  Posture Series: Repeat for Best Results

1 - If you’re an adult who sits, your posture could probably use some work. Jeremy breaks down a common issue in 8 minutes.

2 - BOB AND BRAD!!! They come with their own theme song. They’re like if a comedy duo were also doctors who could help you fix your body. You’re gonna love it.

3 - One last one - how to PROPERLY use that foam roller you have laying around. Yes, the dude looks like Lex Luthor, but he knows what he’s talking about. Other HIGHLY Recommended Resources (Free Trial -> Paid) 1 - Yoga with Adriene! Get you into the habit. 

2 - the be.come project Bethany C. Meyers teaches body neutrality and slowly building strength and autonomy through her routines, which are usually set to great music. It’s $35/month, first 10 days free.  3 - STEEZY Studio - If you’re like me, and watch choreography routines or music videos and think “Yeah, hell yea”, then this is for you. $20/month after a free week to get you acquainted with the MANY levels and styles of classes they offer. 

4 - Gold Medal Bodies A paid resource that I saved for last for a reason. If you’ve ever wanted to start from the ground up to increase your flexibility, strength, and body awareness, start here. There’s a free trial you should definitely take advantage of.  So... If you have any questions, comments, or MORE resources you’d like to add, message me! I’m on instagram @emma.kobs, if you don’t have the app. And gmail @emmakobs if you don’t have insta. Smoke signals also work. 

[thedailymagic]

OH, HELLO.

This is a primer on indoor living in 2020. 

It contains resources for your heart, mind, and body, which

1. cost little to nothing

2. are meant to be done from home

3. support small businesses. 

I’ve created this because we all need an anchor. And as a self-described Internet Queen (tm)(tbd) I could not, in good conscience, hoard the resources I’ve already assembled as an OG social distancer. Now, it seems, the world is on my schedule - and I’d like to show you the ropes.  This is a living blog, in that each post is built around a different subject, and links will be updated and removed as necessary. I’ll point out the things I use and have used, and give credit where it’s due for those you share with me. And I do hope you share - you don’t want to be the digital version of the toilet paper lady, do you?  I hope to structure digital events around this, like a cooking Q & A, an embroidery lesson, even a from-home dance party. If you want to do those things on your own, please, do! The goal is to help you remember that you are capable, and you can DO THIS.

Big businesses thrive on stripping you of your power in the name of “convenience” - when, really, you’re actively forgetting how to be self-sufficient. Tasks as simple as stitching a hem or making a meal feel almost like they’re being lost to time. And re-learning how feels a little like, well, everyday magic. 

Let’s take our power back, shall we?  Talk soon,

Emma