Most of us are now approaching the two-month mark on our isolation and social distancing due to COVID-19. You have likely been juggling many things while trying to adjust to a sense of normalcy during these unprecedented times. You may have found yourself in a new role as an educator while parenting full time, worrying about employment, struggling with loneliness, or even just wondering when things return to what you knew before. Whatever your circumstances may be, now can be a good time to receive a reminder to keep up with caring for yourself. Here are some attainable tips to maintain your self-care while you’re still distancing.
Body scanning:
Taking a moment to just check in with yourself can be vital in revealing what you might need. If you’re beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed or overtired, then snag a peaceful spot in your home and sit comfortably. If you feel like you might not have too much time, you can set a timer on your phone for one to three minutes. Close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Then, simply scan through your body and see if you have any aches, pains, or needs that may need addressing. The purpose of this is to become attune to your needs and to prioritize them.
Eat good food:
If you haven’t been able to get to the grocery store as much as you would have liked within the past few months, then perhaps you may have been hitting the take-out a bit harder. That is totally fine! However, now that a bit more time has passed, taking the time at least one to two meals per week that are nutrient dense can be monumental in caring for yourself.
Move your body:
Staying inside might have altered your regular exercise routine. Maybe you miss going to group classes, running outside, swimming or any other way you were used to moving outside of your home. Major fatigue may have also set in when you have no actual places to be. So it can take a little extra effort to keep yourself moving, and it is so worth it for your overall wellbeing (especially your mental wellness).
So in order to either get back into it or maintain your movement self-care, try an online workout class, do some deep stretching during the commercial breaks of one of your favorite shows, or if it is allowed in your city, go for a stroll outside to get some fresh air.
Treat yourself:
Have you been missing your monthly pedicure, massage, or facial? I know I have definitely been missing regular nail care. Even if your skill set is not quite at the professional level, try and take some time to do what you can to pamper yourself.
Paint your nails, do a facemask, take a longer shower and exfoliate, or even do that hair mask you have been waiting to try! Even if you have nowhere to be, it is important to feel as much like yourself as you can! If that means keeping up your beauty care routine, then go for it!
Jubilance cares about your wellbeing and we hope these tips can help give you some comfort during these trying times.
Becca Lantry holds an MA in Counseling and Education and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. She works with youth, young adults, and families around confidence, love, relationships, and empowerment. Becca has been taking Jubilance for the last few months and she is able to love herself more during those times of emotional PMS because of it.
