Over the last few weeks, the meaning of selfcare has shifted for a few of us. With social distancing and emotional stress, we have been forced to change how we care not only for others, but also for ourselves. As the saying goes, taking care of yourself is the foundation of taking care of others. The healthier the tree, the better the fruit it can offer. This has never been truer whether we are on the front lines providing essential services or finding ourselves at home. Stress has been at an all time high for many of us and stress over long periods of time tends to take a toll on the health of your body and brain.
With our routines being shifted, this does not mean we can’t adapt and pivot when it comes to our self care. Below I am sharing 5 ways for us to rethink and incorporate self-care during these times.
Plan it: We must first have a plan. Schedule it. Then execute. Having a plan takes all of the guess work out of what to do and where to turn in moments of crisis. This helps you respond instead of reacting to what is going on and can result in one feeling less chaotic. Make it a point to write your self-care time down on your calendar or block out designated time for yourself. Remember if you don’t make time for wellness, you will be forced to make time for illness.
Get outdoors. – If you are blessed to be in an area where you can enjoy outdoors and nature, please take advantage. The goal is to get some fresh air and sunlight. Not only may sunshine help our mood by boosting feel good chemicals like serotonin, it can also help our internal sleep clock (also known as the circadian rhythm) to function better. Keep in mind, this is isn’t a time to visit highly trafficked places where you may encounter many people.
Limit how often you are accessing social media and news outlets: Take note of how you feel after you watch the news, scroll certain social media platforms or even after speaking to others. Do you feel anxious, worried, or upset afterwards? Limit your exposure or take a break from the news and social media if you find that it stirs negative feelings.
Bring the spa to your home: We can still relax and glow in the comfort of our own homes. Consider taking a bath with Epsom salt and essential oils or try your own DIY face mask with ingredients from your kitchen. One of my favorites glow masks include: ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tbsp milk, and ½ tsp honey. Apply the mix to your face, let it dry for 20 min then rinse off.
Fuel your body with healthy foods. During these times, it’s certainly easy to let our nutrition fall to the wayside. Healthy eating is vital to supporting our immune system to ward off illness and even help us recuperate faster if we fall ill. Consider setting time aside to prepare nourishing meals with clean vegetables, healthy fats and quality proteins.