Since my move to Spain last year, I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride. For many months, I felt I wasn’t able to stick to a consistent sleep and training routine. I traveled back to the country after my visit to Dubai at the beginning of February this year and just a few weeks later, lockdown was implemented in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

My nutrition coach emphasizes the importance of time-blocking your daily schedule to fill it with tasks and skills that you wish to make a habit

Many things seem uncertain during these times, but we need to focus on what we can control. So, from the onset, I made a list of things that I wanted to focus on to create a structure that I can then translate into my life post quarantine. My main focus is to ensure that I do little things that would keep my spirits up, and that means waking up in the morning and listening to the birds chirping by the window, smelling freshly brewed coffee, and walking my dog.

I’m lucky to have been able to work with amazing coaches, who have helped shape my life. These days, I’ve shifted my training focus on doing the things that I can do with what I have available at home. I’m currently studying Precision Nutrition, which is a nutrition coaching certificate, so I block out 30 to 45 minutes of study time for it before I do my morning training session. My nutrition coach emphasizes the importance of time-blocking your daily schedule to fill it with tasks and skills that you wish to make a habit.

This means waking up and sleeping at the same time, and cooking, studying and reading at certain times during the day. In between, I get to enjoy watching my favorite TV shows, while getting movement through mobility exercises including stretching. This not only helps me recover from training but also keeps the blood flowing after I’ve sat for too long. We’ll find ourselves sitting more and doing less as the days go by, so it’s really important to keep stretching, rolling and doing whatever we can to keep our bodies pain free and healthy.

To help give back to my followers during this time, I’ve created a YouTube channel called ‘Quarantine Questions’, where I ask my coaches, inspirational people and specialists in various fields to answer a few questions that my followers have shared on my Instagram stories. Topics include what habits to adopt, how to create structure and not feel like every day is Groundhog Day, but also to allow ourselves to grieve and feel. It’s okay to feel angry, sad and lonely because we’re only human. This is a good time for self-reflection and slowing down.

It’s also important to check in with friends and family and inquire how they’re feeling, spend time with family but also make sure you get some time to be with yourself. Have faith that this is temporary and trust that the governments, institutions and leaders are taking the necessary actions for your health and safety. Keep moving.

Shaikha Al Qassemi is an Emirati Red Bull-sponsored CrossFit athlete, who is currently based in Spain. She has been competing in CrossFit since 2013, taking podiums such as placing third in the Gulf category at Battle of the East, Kuwait in 2015, and third in the international category at Battle of Heroes, Bahrain in 2016 during her early years. Shaikha moved to Spain to follow her dreams of training to compete full time as a CrossFit athlete. Follow her @Kikiforcrossfit on Instagram.