10 Ways to Self-Care During Quarantine
Self-care is so important to our everyday lives. It can have positive effects out on our health, emotions, attitude, and outlook on life. Self-caring during quarantine is especially necessary. It can keep our spirits up, give you extra support, and keep you zen. The traditional ways to self-care like getting a massage and getting your nails done might be a little hard to come by during this time. Not to worry, here are some new ways you can self-care during the quarantine.
1. Going for a walk
When is the last time you went for a walk? Now, I’m not talking about going for a jog or getting some serious exercise outside. I mean like a leisure, peaceful, and easy walk. I also mean not in your busy neighborhood but in and around nature. Now is the perfect time to get outside and immerse yourself in the Earth. It can give you the peace and quiet you need to take inventory of your thoughts and give you the chance to have some positive self-talk with yourself.
Listen to some soothing music on your walk, or just enjoy the quiet sounds of nature. Going for a walk allows you to release the stress in your body while at the same time quieting your mind.
2. Sunbathing
For most of us, summer is right around the corner, so take advantage of the good weather and sit or layout in the sun. The sun is known to have healing and relaxing properties as well as the commonly known Vitamin D we might have been lacking from being indoors more often. I
t is said that people who are outside more often are happier and calmer than those who are not. Allow the sun to melt away all the anxiety, stress, and any other negative energy you might be feeling. Take even just a few minutes out of your day to be in the soak in the rays.
3. DIY facial
We are all craving that trip to the salon for a nice facial, however, it might be a while before we can get it professionally done. So, try your hand at making a homemade facemask and giving yourself a facial at home. DIY facemasks are easy to make and you probably already have the ingredients right in your kitchen. For example, if you have some plain yogurt, a banana, and some honey than wa-la you have yourself a soothing, hydrating facemask.
Luckily, the internet is also filled with thousands of facemask recipes for you to pick from. You can also buy everything from cleansers to scrubs, to oils for your face at your local retailer. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your at-home facial.
4. Yoga
Now would be a good time to try something new by taking up yoga if you’ve never done it before. Yoga helps relax your body and stretch out your muscles, but it also releases stress and anxiety and helps you feel zen with its unique breathing techniques.
Yoga is great because anyone at any level or age can do it; there is a yoga practice for anyone. There are so many combinations and poses that it will never get redundant or be mastered too quicky. So let’s say “namaste” and do some yoga. Bonus points if you do it outside!
5. Treat yourself meal
Most of us have been utilizing our kitchens more and have been making a lot of home-made meals with all this time on our hands. However, if you don’t feel like cooking one day, or have a craving for food from your favorite restaurant than treat yourself to a good take-out meal. This can be your favorite Starbucks drink, ice cream from Baskin Robins or a burrito bowl from Chipotle. Obviously, your choices are endless those are just some of my favorites!
6. Take a bath
When is the last time you took a bath? We’ve gotten so used to being on the go and barely stopping to breathe. Now, with all this extra time, we are able to slow down during the day. Instead of jumping in and out of the shower, try taking a bath. Feel the hot water warm your skin and relax your muscles. Baths can relieve stress and calm your racing mind. Bonus points if you use candles, bath bombs or salts, or soothing music.
7. Dance
That’s right. Treat yourself to a good dance. As kids, we all used to dance and sing out hearts outs in our bedrooms with a hairbrush as a microphone. Let loose and jam to your favorite music. If your afraid people will hear or see you, close the curtains, and plug in your headphones because this is no time to be shy. Have some and fun and dance your butt off. This will release any stress you have and get those good endorphins going, all the while burning some extra calories.
8. Have a drink
There’s nothing wrong with having a little something to drink. Quarantine is a stressful time and we can all use a little pick-me-up. So, break out the wine glasses, kick your feet up and enjoy some you time with a good drink. This can also be a good time to try making new drinks. There are tons of recipes on Pinterest.com for wine spritzers, margaritas, and much more. You might find your new self-care drink-of-choice!
9. Meditate
When some of us hear the word meditate are first response is a big yawn. But hey, don’t knock it until you try it. Especially if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, stressed, sad, anxious or pretty much any other negative emotion meditating can be really beneficial. Now, you don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor while chanting “om” for hours. You can simply sit quietly in a comfortable area in our home or outside and just focus on your breathing. For those of you who meditate on the reg, you know that I just pretty much described meditating.
Meditating can help you release all those negative emotions and reconnect with your inner peace. Start with just five minutes a day and watch it transform you. Soon, you’ll start to really look forward to it.
10. Journal
Journaling sounds boring, but trust me, once you make it apart of your routine it’ll be something you really look forward to. This is a great way for you to get all your thoughts, emotions, hopes, dreams, and anything you want really out of your mind and on paper. You can be as honest as you want as it is for your eyes only.
Journaling can allow you to physically see and organize all these thoughts and maybe even recognize patterns, heal old wounds, and stay focus on your goals. This is the ultimate way to self-care by allowing you to be you, just in written form.
