Self-care tips during self-quarantine
Photo credit: Kelly-Ann Thompson
The emergence of COVID-19 has reached pandemic levels, and we are all going through a difficult time. The constant bombardment on social media and news outlets can be overwhelming and make you incredibly anxious. It is great to be well informed but there is a thin line between having that knowledge and overconsumption. Everyday life as we know it is at a standstill; social distancing is strongly encouraged. Many places of employment, schools, and entertainment venues are closed. Restaurants and bars only offer delivery options. All of these sudden changes and uncertainty can lead to depression, loneliness, fear, and anxiety. Now more than ever is a vital time to start practicing some self-care techniques to cope during this challenging time. Below are some helpful self-care techniques to get you through.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
Faith over Fear
As a child of God, you must trust that you will be taken care of. The bible states countless times to not fear. The Lord knows that we have bills, rent, and other obligations. He is Jehovah Jireh (our provider) and he will always take care of his children. We must have faith that he will see us through. Take time to pray and reflect on God’s promises daily. If you have a favorite scripture, repeat it to yourself throughout the day for encouragement.
Live life Unplugged
If you look around, every social media or news outlet is discussing the Coronavirus. The number of cases are increasing and anxiety levels are high. This heavy influx of information is too much to consume and can lead to fear and anxiety. Take the time now to unplug and detox yourself from reading any articles or scrolling through social media posts. Read that book that you’ve been meaning to start, do a workout session in your living room.
Create an inviting workspace
A lot of people are working from home since the virus spread. If you don’t have a home office, set up a warm and bright workstation to keep yourself motivated and ready to work. Change out of your pajamas, hang some inspiring quotes on the wall, burn a citrus smelling candle to awaken your senses, use your favorite mug when sipping some coffee while checking your emails.
plant care reduces stress
Since most of us are quarantined, we may feel trapped in our homes and apartments. Living in NYC, there aren’t many areas of open greenery. Many city dwellers rely on their houseplants to provide a botanical pick me up. Take the time to provide TLC to your plant friends. Talk to your plants as you wipe down their leaves, set up that propagation station you’ve been dying to start, plant some seeds and start a herb garden indoors. Since taking care of plants I’ve noticed a significant change with how I manage my stress levels.
Get connected
Thanks to social distancing we are forced to isolate ourselves to a certain extent. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Take advantage of video conferencing to catch up with friends and family. Do you miss happy hour with your friends? Break out a bottle of wine and have a virtual happy hour with your girls! We have so many digital ways to connect,we should utilize it.
Chase your dream
Did you ever have a dream/goal that you wanted to attain and never found the time to? Well this is the perfect opportunity to learn a new craft, take continuing education credits, or work on that business idea that you’ve been putting off.
Eat the rainbow
While being confined at home, it’s so tempting to carb load, eat lots of junk food and watch Netflix all day (raises hand). We should aim to eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. They are rich in phytonutrients that boost your immune system. Also be mindful to drink plenty of water.
Rest
Make sure to get proper rest by sleeping a good amount each night. You should be getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep makes you susceptible to illness.
Laugh
Laughter does amazing things for your body and mind, it is the best medicine. Laughter lowers stress levels and boosts your immunity. Sit back and watch a comedy special on Netflix or reruns of your favorite sitcom.
Move it
Just because you are stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t move your body. Do a workout routine in your living room from a Youtube channel. Turn on some music and dance around your house.
I hope these tips were helpful! Stay blessed and healthy tribe.
love + light,
danielle