Series Part Two: How to be our best selves, cherish what’s important and uphold our community during this most trying of times.

Supporting local businesses - LIVING BETTER Food & Drink at Reve Coffee Lab

My first post of this series, This is How to Maintain Love in the Time of COVID-19 with Drive-by Date Night, was about how close quarters with our loved ones and few options to decompress, pursue hobbies and release stress at gyms or social outlets has presented a whole new slew of relationship challenges. I highlighted creative ways for reinventing date night and supporting local businesses.

“In this post I’m focusing on mindfulness, gratitude and self care during stress, but still challenging us to back our area companies.”

Mindfulness, Gratitude and Self Care During Quarantine

Strict social distancing continues as the pandemic of COVID-19 endures. Like everyone else, my away-from-home life has been confined to drive-through dining, essential shopping trips, power walks in my neighborhood and slow meandering strolls with my pups. But, like so many, I’m worried about finances, family, health and the future.

How are you maintaining self care during the COVID-19?
Are you able to pull time away from your family and get some “me” time?
If in quarantine alone, are you able to create soothing rituals or beloved hobbies and carve out some indulgent time?
Are you doing what revives you, brings you back to who you are - apart from your surroundings and maintain the self you brought to this quarantine?
How are you putting aside worries and the stress of the unknown fallout of this unusual episode?
Are you able to focus on wellness?

“What works for me is dwelling on the positive, being grateful for my multiple blessings. I try to stay centered while carrying out small actions, being mindful and aware. It’s performing common tasks, but with sharper focus. I’m doing things I’ve always done… now with greater appreciation.”

What works for me:

Running a hot bath and pouring a chilled, crisp white wine in real crystal, then slipping into a cloud of Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Bath Oil and applying a Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair facial mask for a long soak.
Reading more books while sitting on my front veranda and waving to neighbors who are outdoors instead of at an office or school.
Taking golf cart rides with the hubby and pups, Mala and Layla.
Celebrating crawfish season - dining on “mudbugs” in the courtyard with icy cold beer and listening to favorite tunes on Sonos outdoor speakers.
Using my Apple Watch Breathe app more often.
Reviving my home yoga practice in the soft sunshine of my courtyard.
AND… see below, mini picnics with coffee and a sweet treat from Reve Coffee Lab in my neighborhood square.

Being grateful during social distancing for:

A husband who is fun, good and kind as a tremendous source of love and strength. I’m amazed and proud of who he is daily. As a financial advisor whose first priority is the ethical and compassionate care of his clients… it goes without saying this has been a trying time time for him and Wall Street.
A dream home which is, truly, a sanctuary of peace and rejuvenation.
Exceptional weather with sublime temperatures and low humidity. So grateful that quarantine came, during a time in Louisiana, when the heat, humidity, and mosquitos, are not yet stifling.
Daylight Savings Time - having longer hours of sunshine pouring in my windows and permitting more outdoor time is key. Whether walking in the neighborhood or reading in my courtyard, daylight is preferable to early darkness confining us longer to the four walls.
A gorgeous neighborhood - this is HUGE for me right now! It doesn’t feel so isolating when you live in a environ perfect for:
- Dog-strolling,
- Front veranda-sitting and exchanging small snippets of conversation with walkers at a distance,
- Bike rides and admiring the neighbor’s exceptional gardens,
- Golf cart rides with a frosty cocktail, pups included,
- Great restaurants and coffee shops with curbside pick-up within walking distance.

I’m aware of my countless blessings. My heart and prayers goes out to those in stricter isolation due to age, disability, low immunity or other psycho-social issues. Unlimited green space, fair weather, and a safe living situation are dream circumstances in this quarantine. I’m cognizant that this isn’t reality for many people.

One particular self-care activity I’ve enjoyed is…

grabbing a pastry and brewed beverage from the fabulous Reve Coffee Lab just a few blocks from my house. I take a short walk with those goodies and have a mini picnic on a bench in my neighborhood square. .

My beverage of choice, from Reve Coffee Lab, is a latte but the options are endless. You can check out the menu and a list of other locations on their website here. In addition to every possible coffee or tea incarnation they serve baked goods, breakfast and lunch items and frozen sweet creams.

From my bench, I practice mindfulness by watching for the emerging signs of Spring, listen to the birds, and remember to deep breathe - in the fresh air. I fight the desire to glance at my phone. I focus on the taste of an exquisite brownie; crisp on the outside with a soft and gooey inside.

I dwell on gratitude for my blessings. Doing this brings me hope for better days to come. The U.S.A., and nations across the world, have dug out from vicious times in the past and will do so again. The stress and anxiety over the unknown eases with these small touches of self care and mindfulness.

Hang in there ya’ll,

Laura

Someday soon, I’ll be setting up my laptop and enjoying the coffee art in-house with its funky fun interior

Remembering fond days of working on my blog at Reve Coffee Lab. Obviously, I cannot resist their sweet treats!

Watch for the next parts of this series where we strive to be our best selves, cherish what’s important and seek to uphold our community while we cheer on our other favorite, local businesses.

FINAL TIPS FOR LIVING BETTER with Food & Drink

Supporting side-lined local businesses and the decimated hospitality industry is critical while we wait out COVID-19. You can help them by picking up food to go. Order products from other local businesses as well.
This difficult time will end, hopefully soon. It’s critical to maintain self-care during times of stress. Drive to your favorite restaurant or coffee shop and get a beverage to go. Treat yourself to something sweet. Have a mini picnic at home or on a bench at a secluded outdoor spot. Or pursue other self care activities that revive your soul.
Check on those who are unable to get out and deliver food to them.
Continue to adhere to all aspects of good personal hygiene and social parameters to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus. Let’s flatten that curve!

CONCLUSION

Support your local dining establishments and other small businesses. Pick up food to go and order products locally if you’re able. Take care of yourself. Count your blessings and journal gratitude. Practice mindfulness. Treat yourself to indulgent self care activities… and, of course, adhere to all aspects of good personal hygiene and social parameters to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Your Turn:

How are you keeping up with self care, mindfulness and gratitude during quarantine? Please share your ideas! And if this post and your comments would help others - please share on social media. Thanks!

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