March 16th will mark one year since HHF staff started working from home. While this has presented unexpected positive outcomes for our small team, we’re all feeling some stir-craziness and suspect we’re not alone (though still in isolation).  To encourage everyone to hang in there, we’ve decided to share some of our best coping strategies. Though in no way groundbreaking, these hacks for positivity have been helpful and we welcome you to give them a try.

Cartoon by Barry Blitt, The New Yorker

Beth Iwata
While I’m grateful to have my job and family to keep me grounded, making these small adjustments to my daily life help stave off monotony:
1) Changing up the email publications I subscribe (and unsubscribe) to has refreshed my inbox.
2) Utilizing a free and super-convenient exercise app like Nike Training Club gets me moving and is a sure way to lift my spirits. It offers an endless assortment of exercise classes guided by professional trainers and in the length of time needed.  With so much variety, it’s fun to explore and keeps me going. (However, if anyone has a secret cleaning-house motivator, please let me know!)

Andrea Nandoskar
My favorite pastime, which has become even more important during the pandemic, is earthing—the practice of standing, walking barefoot or lying upon the Earth.  While this practice was a natural part of life for our ancestors, the advent of modern life has distanced us from such simple, life-affirming nourishment. I take time daily to walk barefoot in the grass usually at historic Kapi‘olani Park in Waikīkī. When I can’t make it there, I walk to the ocean and sit or lie in the sand to “recharge and recalibrate” my physical, emotional and energetic bodies which helps me feel back in balance after spending hours indoors on a computer. Learn more about Earthing here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077 and here: https://chopra.com/articles/grounding-the-human-body-the-healing-benefits-of-earthing.

Michelle Kiczek
I find so much beauty within music. Music has the ability to truly touch someone’s soul. One can find connections within music that you may not be able to find anywhere else.  In many ways, music can help people deal with their emotions. I’ve explored many emotions through music–sadness, pain, confusion, happiness, love, and serenity.  No matter what you are going through, music is always there to comfort you; you’re never alone!
These are some of the songs that have been on repeat for me throughout the past two months. Look them up on Spotify or Apple music!

  • Honest Oceans – JAIE
  • Slipping Away – LEISURE
  • Way Up – Fintan
  • Jaded – EMBRZ, wilo wilde
  • Missing You Lately – Goldroom
  • Heathen – Colouring
  • Cold Hugs – Peter and Kerry
  • Live Well – Palace
  • Stop It (Stripped) – Sleeping Lion
  • Tash Sultana’s New Album – Terra Firma

Kiersten Faulkner
I’ve become very fond of NPR Podcasts, which I listen to while doing mundane household chores like folding laundry or cooking, and as the soundtrack for a daily walk. https://www.npr.org/podcasts.  Favorites include Code Switch, TED Radio Hour, Planet Money, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Fresh Air and (before it left NPR) Hidden Brain ; pretty much all the not-politics options as a way to offer relief from the constant anxiety of the day. Plus I love the Tiny Desk Concerts and the Book Concierge.

My bi-weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription has also been a blessing, providing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. My experience is limited to Oahu Fresh, but there are many other options. GoFarm Hawai’i provides an extensive list.