We’re All In This Together

Dear guests,

All around the world, the coronavirus has had a profound effect on the lives and economies of people from all walks of life. Each day brings new developments and we are still unsure about how or when this pandemic will be resolved. It'll take some time the experts say, but this too shall pass.

Right now, time is what we have a lot of, as we stay at home to protect each other. So in this issue, we'd like to share with you some ideas and tips on how to make the most of your quarantine time. From meditation to exercise to cooking, there's a variety of activities we can all try to make the best use of our days.

For us at Matabungkay, we're using this time to maintain the resort. Our stay-in housekeeping team follow the WHO guidelines for disinfecting and cleaning as well as social distancing.

This way, our guests who had to postpone their stays with us can expect to come back to a Matabungkay that is fresh and rejuvenated. We know that when this pandemic is over, everyone will want a vacation from this ordeal.

Stay tuned on our social media sites for updates on what we have in store for you in the future. We know times are tough, but let's look to the future with hope and plans. These are the things that can help us in our day to day. Stay safe and we will see you at Matabungkay soon!

Matabungkay Beach Hotel

Surviving the Lockdown: Some Tips

Community quarantine is definitely not a vacation. So if you feel anxious, mad, depressed, stressed out, know that it is normal.

Some of us may have work-at-home arrangements, which is great. But you may find that it is also difficult to focus on work and tasks. Some of us have no work at all – which is equally stressful. What can we do to manage?

1. Set a routine. This may involve sleeping and waking up at certain time, scheduling meals at regular times, as well as doing exercise, chores, and enjoying some form of entertainment.


2. Stay connected. Despite our physical distance from friends and family, now is not the time to be socially and emotionally distant. Technology allows us to keep in touch with those we care about – so don’t scrimp on calls, even video conferencing. There are quite a number of apps that you can download to still have a meal or hang out with loved ones. Try Facebook, Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts, just to name a few.


3. Exercise. We need to keep our body strong and healthy. See what you have in your house: A yoga mat, stairs, dumbells, or kettle bells? A jump rope? Somewhere you can do pull ups? Maybe even containers of drinking water? Maybe some dance music? Be creative about what you can do and use to break a sweat or get those muscles moving!
   
   Try these YouTube pages for tips and programs:
   Calisthenicsmovement, Pamela Reif, Athlean-X, Alo Yoga.
   
   
   Athlean-X is a great go to source for challenging home workouts without equipment.
   
   
   Alo Yoga is a great site for many yoga and bodyweight programs.


4. Limit your time on news and social media. It is great to stay informed, but it can also be very toxic. Give yourself a break from time-to-time. Being offline can give us time to focus on the important things such as calmness, our inner needs.



5. Meditate. Meditation is a way to center one’s self, developing mindfulness and focusing on the breath. It can teach us to be more accepting of our thoughts and feelings without judgement – just letting everything be, letting everything pass. How can we meditate? It can be as simple as deep breathing, in and out, focusing on the breath, for 5 to 10 minutes. When we are able to accept our thoughts and feelings without judgement, we become more aware of where we are and can become kinder to ourselves, and in turn, kinder to others. If you are new at meditation, there are some apps that can guide you through it. Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer are just a few that experts tend to recommend.
   
   Headspace.com can help you relax and center yourself.
   
   Calm.com is a reliable app when you need something to sooth your tired mind.


6. Talk, Play, Bond. Do you have kids at home with you? Take this time to really get to know them and spend time with them. Talk about what is going on in terms of COVID-19, explain to them what is happening. But also talk about other things – what are they into? Bring out the board games or card games! Do a family dance routine or watch some shows together.



7. Read. This time could be your chance to catch up on some books that you’ve been wanting to read! Books can also be a great escape – plunging us into different, fantastical worlds. Or it could also be a way for us to make sense of the feelings that we have but cannot put into words.
   
   Try these websites for free book downloads:
   Open Library, Many Books, Gutenberg.
   
   Can't go to the library or bookstore? Openlibrary.org is your next best bet.
   
   Named after the inventor of the movable-type printing press, Gutenberg.org has many free books for download.