Why do I say smiling? Because it’s easy to feel guilty about feeling good in these times. If you’re going through tough times, would you want the whole planet to be miserable with you? Or would you want them to continue living their lives, with greater care and with a smile? With a smile, I hope. And so it’s with that, I share with you 10 ways to keep your smile during challenging times.

1. Crisis means ‘Change Point’

Like me, you may have thought the Chinese word for Crisis also means opportunity. If so, turns out we are wrong. It also means change point. So when new restrictions come into play, yes it’s hard, and also it’s a chance to change. I’m using the time to start a new online daily offering in the form of daily mindfulness club. Consider how you can use the downtime to do something you love.

2. Be Creative in the Limits

One of my favourite books of all time is called Creative Confidence. It’s really underrated in my opinion. And the authors, both of whom are giants in the world of creativity, emphasise the importance of constraints for creativity. One of the hardest ways to be creative is to have a blank sheet of paper and no constraints at all. Or to have a project with an unlimited budget - then no creativity is required. So, how can you apply creativity to work, socialise and so on? It’s harder for sure - but within the limits, what new ways can you think of fulfilling your needs?

3. Small acts of Kindness, with balance

Acts of kindness are great for the giver and receiver. But spending all your time and energy giving can also be draining. So balance your kindness. Do a tiny act of kindness everyday. Make it a daily practice. Reach out with a text message to a friend. Send a joke to someone that needs cheering up. Everyone’s different. Do small acts of kindness in a way that work for you and are uplifting rather than wearing you out too much. And of course, feel free once in a while to do a massive act of kindness too!

4. Only Zoom if it Excites You

If you find Zoom calls draining, don’t schedule loads of them. I spend one week with calls and one week with very few calls, as my work is flexible. If you find the calls uplifting, there are so many different zoom events and other video based events happening...just look at Eventbrite, Facebook Events or in the US, Zoom has a section called On Zoom with a list of events you can join.

In my daily mindfulness club, we use an inspiring photo instead of video of people’s faces, and mainly use high quality audio as I use a professional microphone. That way, people can be at ease and not worry about how they are looking when meditating. Consider audio only calls if you find that easier. Going for a walk whilst on a zoom call is great too - that way you can exercise as you contribute - it works better than you may imagine - give it a try!

5. Socialise Spontaneously 

Having time locked into your diary can be nice, but also a burden. Instead, why not make a spontaneous connect with a friend of group of friends whenever you feel like it. Live in the moment! Be brave. You can call via normal phone call. Or try Whatsapp calls, Facebook Messenger calls, does Instagram support calls? Probably! Use whatever you like. But a little less surfing on social media and a little more spontaneous meetups can be fun! They also feel more natural to me. Unexpected, joyful and leaves both parties smiling. 

6. Make Gratitude Creative

Hopefully by now you know that gratitude has a huge number of health benefits - both mental and physical health benefits. So here’s some creative ways to bring more gratitude into your life:

• Make a song or poem about what you’re grateful for 

• Create a gratitude jar and write down your daily gratitudes and pop them in there and read them randomly

• Dance around your bedroom and say what you’re grateful for as you do so

• Use art to express what you’re grateful for

If you’re not feeling creative, just write down 3 things you’re grateful for. I’ll help you get started - you have access to the internet, you can read and you’re actually alive and breathing right now.

7. Do Nothing Productive and Be Lazy

Just in case you think being lazy isn’t allowed - it is. Being lazy is probably good for you, but I’m too lazy to google it for you - so google it yourself if you can be bothered! 

Life is short, but also I didn’t sign up to be born into this wonderful and yet crazy world! Did you? The art of living is the art of balancing your life. I do some good and also enjoy being lazy these days. I hope you do too. Being a perfectionist is far too much work. And plus, if you’re not feeling well, it’s the ultimate excuse to be lazy if you wish. You can also spend all your time helping others and if you’re motivated to do so, go for it! I tried doing that for many years, but found it unsustainable. I'm now able to enjoy resting, guilt-free and am grateful for that privilege. Everyone’s different - do what feels right for you. Self-care is a key part of all this.

8. Apply Your Values To Your Challenges

There’s so much nice research showing that when you apply your values into your life, things go well. You are motivated, your wellbeing goes up and life is more meaningful. So pick one of your values, and put it to work. I like creativity, so I’m gonna do some more painting, and probably come up with a new creative masterclass series on mindfulness and other things like that. Pick one challenge and pick one value and use that value to solve the challenge.

For example, let’s say your challenge is feeling anxious and your value is being kind.

So then you think about ways of being kind to your anxiety. Talking kindly to anxiety. Drawing what your anxiety looks like, with a sense of warmth and kindness. Doing kindness based meditations. Being kind to others and seeing what happens to your anxiety when you do that.

Try it - it’s a fun and unique way to deal with your challenges.

9. Take Vitamin D

The National Health Service here in the UK is recommending we take 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day. With people going outdoors less, you get less sunshine and therefore less Vitamin D in your system. Some cereals and soya milks are fortified with Vitamin D, but probably not all of them. If you have unique health challenges, check with your doctor first.

10. Put Your Walking Shoes On Daily

If you can walk, put on your walking shoes and go for a walk everyday, outside in the fresh air. Combine it with mindfulness for best effect. Leave your phone behind from time to time to help clear your head too. 

If your lockdown doesn’t allow for outdoor walks, you’ll have to make do with the seemingly millions of exercise videos on YouTube that are all completely free to watch and follow. Or sign up to a class with a teacher on Zoom or similar.

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