It is no doubt a stressful time for everyone right now. Apart from worrying about your health, you might also be worried about your job and what the future holds. And while you may be trying to adjust to the “new normal,” which includes social distancing and staying at home, this sudden upheaval in your life may be affecting your physical and mental health.
That is why in these stressful times, practicing self-care is more important than ever. The University of Texas at Austin defines it as “more than an occasional treat.” Self-care now means doing things that make you feel refreshed and incorporating them into your everyday life.
Of course, how one person practices self-care is different from another. Self-care to you might mean going to the movies or spending a day with your friends. Unfortunately, some of these things aren’t possible now because of the shutdown and home quarantine orders. So, the next best thing is to practice self-care at home. Here’s how:
1. Give meditation a try
With all the stress and anxiety you’re feeling, it can be difficult to find time to relax. When you’re a ball of anxiety, being productive or simply being content is nearly impossible. To give yourself some much-needed peace of mind, why not try meditation? It’s a simple and straightforward practice that promotes calmness and clarity. If you don’t know where to begin, The New York Times has a helpful guide. When you start your day by finding peace and feeling serene, it’ll be much easier to face the day and all the stress it brings.
2. Take a relaxing bath or shower
If there’s one good thing that came out of the coronavirus home quarantine, it’s the time you can now spend for life’s little luxuries. This includes taking a longer and more relaxing bath or shower. In your daily routine, you might have always been racing against time, so you were used to taking quick showers. But taking the time to feel the hot water loosen your muscles goes a long way to easing stress. Make these baths or showers more luxurious by using your favorite essential oils, turning your typical bath time into an aromatherapy session.
3. Pamper yourself
You might not know it, but your home is likely full of things you can use to pamper yourself. First, check out your pantry. You might have honey, oats, and other ingredients you can use for a DIY face mask. Just make sure to avoid DIY face mask ingredients that are bad for your face or you might end up needing to go out of your Salt Lake City home to visit your skin doctor. After primping, you can make yourself a bowl of popcorn, snuggle on your couch, and enjoy an hour or two (or four) of Netflix movies. Or you can read a book, exercise, or focus on a hobby. This form of self-care keeps you occupied with other things so you can escape from concerns that stress you out — at least, for a few hours.
When you’re stressed, it’s easy to forget the importance of taking care of your well-being. Keep these self-care tips in mind and practice them regularly.
