Recently I was teaching at a yoga teacher training online, of course, when how to stay grounded in the age of corona virus came up during an exercise we were doing. A good question to ask and an important thing to know. How do we stay grounded and present with a rapidly changing reality? We must adapt. Update our habits and actions and create a pandemic Dinacharya (daily routine for health). The circumstances we are living in are new. We are all learning and coping while we try to stay grounded. 

We might even widen our perspective to look at this relatively abrupt change in our lives as an opportunity for planetary healing as well as individual opportunity for increased self-reflection, understanding, and compassion.   To do what we believe is best and help others as we are able. Grow and experience as the best selves we can be rather than cope covered in anxiety and limitation.

Uplevel Your Routines To Quash Fear

Fear and uncertainty are emotions that travel with the COVID-19 virus. We are in a global shut down. There is an intense singular focus on the growing impact of the pandemic on health, and financial markets. We all feel the effects of this focus.  How do we limit fear’s influence on thoughts and behaviors? Stay connected to our best self so that we recognize and like who we see in the mirror each morning and before we go to bed each night.

Follow government recommendations, do what is prudent and what makes you feel grounded. Expand your pandemic dinacharaya with recommended practices. Increase your sanitation practices. Follow the expert guidelines and add actions that you think you need. For instance, I started taking my shoes off at the door when I come back into my home. 

Do what makes sense and try to relax and trust. Here is an example of typical dinacharya followed by potential adds to support feeling grounded during the coming weeks.

Regular Daily Routine

Many of the traditional practices and structures in dinacharya support wellness and grounding, but you may want or need to add new daily actions.

Pandemic Dinacharya Ideas For In-Home Daily Routines

• Look out for each other. Connect with Friends in ways that are healthy by phone, social media, or teleconferencing.
• Keep your home cleaner, sanitize stair rails and door handles and horizontal surfaces.
• Gargle with salt once a day or when you return home.
• When the weather is good, open your windows to promote healthy air exchange.
• Shore up spiritual practices, be consistent
  • Meditation
  • Pranayama Breathing practices
  • Chanting Singing of mantra practice
  • Movement
• Add activities to cultivate ease.
• Don’t dismiss a sore throat or the sniffles. Take appropriate action.

Going In And Out Of The Public Practices

Follow government recommended practices such as social distancing only leaving your home for food medicines or emergencies, add some or all of these practices to go the extra mile.

• Be kind and patient when in the public domain, especially to health care, store, gas station workers.
• Store shoes at the door of your home. Help keep the outside out of your house.
• Oil your nostrils before leaving the house
• Keep your mouth and throat moist by sipping water or using cough drops or lozenges.
• Breathe through your nose when out of your home.
• Don’t touch your face mindlessly.
• Use gloves and wash and sanitize hands often.
• Upper wash with a neti pot to rinse your sinus when you return home from the public domain.
• Gargle with saltwater when you return home.
• Don’t sit when you walk in the door. Put your clothes in the laundry and shower upon returning from home.
• Get outdoors for exercise and sunshine.

Figure out what your pandemic dinacharya needs to be. Build a structure to support you and your family. Continue to express your best self every day.  Take the actions you need to feel healthy, grounded, and engaged with your life. Share credible information with the people you love. Blessings to you and your family, this day and moving forward.

Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This article is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.