Many area of the world are now war zones to some degree. It is important to maintain routines and keep ourselves healthy and happy as much as possible despite the strain on our capacities.

Here are a few ways to maintain and build throughout the storm:

1. Keep your waking time even if the night was fraught with alarms and bombs to maintain the rhythm of the day. Going to bed earlier is advised.
2. Go outside for at least 15-20 minutes each morning for sun exposure to have the body function well and breath better air when possible. Our bodies are ruled by hormones and we need to self regulate them.
3. Move each morning, it can be a few pushups and squats. A short run or anything that fits your fitness and the times. Moving in the morning helps move things around including our metabolism and hormones and helps us keep better energies through the day.
4. Eat healthy. It is easy to fall into comfort food such as junk and fast food but the price is paid in lower energy after the sugar rush and our health is not aided by such toxins in the body. Gather and prepare foods ahead of time and prep also for stay in shelters. A bit goes a long way.
5. Prepare your bags – prepare bags for adults and children for the needs of the moment. Preparing prevents panic and forgetfulness and helps keep children clean, fed and occupied and adults need a good book and food too.
6. Talk to friend and family. Touch and talk are crucial in processing and delivering relief and understanding. There is no need to focus only on the situation. Just talk about anything and it will help all sides.
7. Media, too much of a good thing is still too much. Be informed but schedule and choose when to take in the thousands of bits of information. Choose methods that affect the senses less such as text notices to avoid sensory overload.
8. Use the time you have with your loved ones and also in silence with yourself. If you are stuck at home, do some cleaning and fix ups. If you are alone, reach out to friend and family. There is always a choice to be made and sitting in front of the TV or computer monitor is not always the best one.
9. Going low tech – Computers and other energy devices demand energy to function and out attention to exist. Taking a book and a notebook and sitting down to read and write will help focus and disconnect from the constant stream of repeating media bombardments. You may write the next good book someone will read too.
10. Being there for someone. We all matter, even people who dislike pizza have a place on this earth. Being there for someone is a force on its own and give both purpose and calm to both sides.