5 Tips for Self-Care during the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to impact mental health around the world. Many individuals are having a hard time adjusting to the “new normal.” Some individuals have lost their jobs, some began working from home, and some began home schooling. The list of responsibilities continues to grow, but what about self-care? Many individuals have reported difficulty incorporating self-care into their daily routines. Here are 5 tips to help you get started!
1. Get Active. This will not only help your physical health but also your mental health.
If you enjoy the outdoors, go for a daily walk or hike. Whether it’s in your neighborhood, local park, or a trail, it’s important to get some fresh air and connect with nature. For more indoor activities, check YouTube as there are many at-home workouts that you can do even without equipment. The videos may include low impact to high impact cardio, stretching, yoga, and more.
2. Engage in a hobby. Pick a new hobby or find a new one! There are many hobbies that you can engage in from the safety of your home. For example, many individuals enjoy board games. While this is an activity to do with others, there are now virtual meet ups where people can play together. Other ideas include photography, cooking, journaling, and crocheting.
3. Learn something new. Being at home, you may find some extra time on your hands to watch movies or binge watch a new TV show. Instead, find something new to learn. For example, maybe you want to learn how to play the piano or learn how to make ice cream. Now is a great time to start! Search for different articles, podcasts, and documentaries to learn about something new.
4. Take a break. It is often easy to stress and get into the zone of doing everything we can such as work and chores. Sometimes it’s good to pause and take 10 minutes or so to practice mindfulness. You may want to sit and enjoy a glass of coffee or tea on your deck. Maybe you want to practice meditation. There are now many free mindfulness apps such as Insight Timer that provide free guided meditation.
5. Connect with your friends and family. Plan a socially distant walk. Maybe plan a video call with your family who lives far away. Take some time to connect with individuals you love that you may not be able to see due to the pandemic.