Merritt Clubs Blog

Do you find yourself wishing you had more hours in the day? Or maybe you struggle to follow through on your good intentions because you feel so pressed for time?

Shout out to anyone who has noticed a new divot in your couch, perfectly formed to your posterior. This blog is dedicated to you and all of the couch cushions that will never be fully fluffed up again.

Has anyone else been lamenting their canceled vacations and fearing the rest of the year without a break? Spending their nights crying over a fancy new summer dress that you will never get to cut the tags off? Online shopping for big bags of sand to put in your back yard so you can pretend you are at the beach?

As the summer months continue to trek along, many of us have started leaving the safety and isolation of quarantine and are venturing back out into the world, slowly and cautiously. As we walk the fine line between staying safe and returning to some sort of normality, we are faced with the concerns and fears of contracting the virus and keeping our families safe and healthy. In a measure to protect ourselves and our loved ones, it is vital that we take all the precautions we can to boost our immunity and maintain optimal health.

Back in March, life as we knew it changed. When the COVID-19 virus began spreading through our country, stay-at home orders were enforced and all non-essential businesses closed. Although it seems like that was a lifetime ago, it has only been three months since we were told to remain at home and avoid all social interactions. Back then, most of us could not wait for the curve to flatten so life as we knew it could resume and we could see our loved ones without using the screen of a computer. Now that rates of the virus have slowed and restrictions are easing, a new anxiety is setting in for many as we begin to plan to return to our old way of life.

After several weeks of dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s evident that we can learn lessons and find personal take-aways from this crisis. During these uncertain and stressful times of social distancing and quarantining, it is essential we tap into reflective activities that can drastically shift our thoughts to a positive mind state.  Thus, helping us get through this with as much grace and peace as possible.

“Watch your thoughts, they become Words. Watch your words, they become Actions. Watch your actions, they become Habits. Watch your habits, for they become your Character. Watch your character, for it becomes your Destiny.” -the Upanishads

Have you ever talked someone who loves to run? They make it sound glorious.

After my dad passed away about a year and a half ago, I started attending Friday night services at my synagogue on a regular basis. Initially, this was so I could say the Mourner’s Kaddish (prayer for the dead) for my Dad. But, as time went on, I realized that I enjoyed and appreciated the ritual of ending the work week in this way. The service lasts just under an hour, there’s lots of joyful singing, and, it’s a chance to see friends I don’t see on a regular basis. I always leave my phone in the car, and surprisingly, even that one short hour gives me a chance to unplug from the rest of the world and focus on what’s important and right in front of me.

Last month, we discussed some of the science behind stress. We all know that stress can take its toll on our physical and mental well-being. Research continues to probe the ways stress is linked to disease and can shorten our life span. And it can certainly make our remaining years less enjoyable.