Tag Archives: wellness

How RSVP Staff Members are Managing Health/Wellness

While both of our Chicago and Los Angeles locations have been closed for over a month, RSVP Gallery staff have been working from home, which meant a big change in routine.

 

Check out how a few of our staff members have adjusted, along with a short-list of online resources below:

 

DW

 

Dawn Apang, Managing Director 

 

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of?

I’ve been using an app called Shred and I love it. It lets you build a workout depending on what kind of equipment you have (or don’t have!) at home, and has short, no-nonsense videos of each exercise. The circuits are intense, so it doesn’t waste your time. I think I’ll be using this app long after quarantine.

 

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? 

I’ve been reading a lot, writing, and sending letters to friends and family… I’ve tried to keep in mind all that humanity has lived through and eventually overcome in far worse circumstances than those we are experiencing now. An excellent reminder of this is Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. He lived through being a prisoner in a concentration camp during one of the darkest times in history and was able to still find freedom and purpose through that experience, leaving behind a beautiful work of art for the rest of us.

I’ve also been teaching myself amigurumi, which is the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. Crocheting has a ton of mental health benefits, including improved focus and memory, and relief from depression and anxiety. It’s also very gratifying to see the improvement in every subsequent shape you make!

 

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Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful?

I am on the computer and iPhone a lot for work, so the rest of the time I honestly try to stay off my phone as much as possible. I do love the app Simple Habit, though. It has short meditations and a lot of different options for white noise to help you fall asleep.

 

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share?

I’m lucky that my boyfriend loves to cook and has been experimenting with tons of awesome vegetarian recipes for us during quarantine. This recipe has been one of my favorites so far! Also, this site is super user friendly and you don’t have to read someone’s life story before getting to the recipes.

Cauliflower-and-Chickpea-Masala-V2

 

What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without?

Right now, probably FaceTime. Normally I don’t really enjoy it, but now I am so grateful to be able to have at least a face to face conversation with family and friends, even if it can’t be in person.

 

joshray

 

Josh Ray,  Creative Team/Salesperson

 

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of? 

I usually wake up around 7 or 8 in the morning and stretch. Being quarantined takes a toll on my body so I do about 30 push-ups and 30 sit-ups. I am not the most active person so I am slowly leaning into it and feel like it is a good start for any beginner. 

 

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful? 

Making sure to take time out of my day to take deep breaths and be in my thoughts. Recollect and calm myself through meditation. 

 

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share? 

My favorite thing I’ve cooked has been seasoned lemon pepper chicken with buttered noodles and broccoli on the side. 

 

What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without? 

One item I could not live without would be my laptop.  I work, educate myself, and create all from the realm of tech. 

 

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Kam Casey, Creative Manager

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of?

I’ve been keeping my normal routine up for the most part. Even before quarantine, I was running 8-10 miles every day. I think the biggest difference now is that, since there aren’t any specific races I’m working towards currently, I’m a little easier on my body. If I’m hurting, I’ll take a rest day, do some yoga, and let my body recover.

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful?

I think the main thing that I’m doing is making sure to take everything at a comfortable pace each day. I think people underestimated how hard it was going to be to have to stay home all the time. I just try to be mindful of the mental toll it can take on me and take my time with work and personal projects.

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share?

I pretty much eat the same breakfast each day; eggs, toast, and vegan sausage with coffee. That’s like my daily ritual haha, no matter when I wake up, 8am or 12PM, that’s what I make. Nothing special there, except I put Japanese fish stock in my eggs to season them. Other than that, I’ve been making curry, homemade gluten-free & vegan pizza, Korean pancakes, all things I was making before quarantine!

What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without?

Coffee. I don’t know why, but like, the ritual of making coffee is symbolic of me starting my day. I do a French press each day, but I do it the long way. You pour a tiny bit of water over the freshly ground beans, just enough to get them wet, then let that sit for 5 minutes. Then you fill the press the rest of the way, press the filter just passed the foam at the top, and let it sit another 5 minutes. Pull the filter out, stir gently, then press it all the way down slowly. I know that sounds overkill, but that’s how 95% of my days start.


List of Apps We Like:

Shred (Workout)

Nike Training Club (Workout)

Calm (Meditation/Wellness)

Headspace (Meditation/Wellness)