Photo Credit: Rosenberg Center
By: Kristen Marshal
As quarantine relentlessly holds on to people’s daily lives, many are taking this time to relax and take a break from everything. However, there are specific self-care tips you can follow to make sure that when quarantine ends, you will be healthy and happy with yourself.
- Take Care of Your Mental Health
In this time of devastation, most are panicking when they must remain relaxed. Yes, everyone should be taking proper health precautions, but stress is only causing harm. Release yourself from negative thoughts by doing things that bring you joy. Engage with your creative side. Try keeping a journal or draw pictures that help you express your emotions.
- Create a Nourishing Self-Care Routine to Follow Daily
Making a routine that you can follow daily can help you be still in the midst of chaos. Create a daily schedule to keep yourself organized and build healthy habits. Give yourself time during the day to take care of yourself and your health.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Avoid social media, emails, or any form of technology for at least the first hour.
- Whatever it is you consume in the morning, really savor it. Take your time preparing your beverages or food. This in itself is a form of meditation and is calming.
- Do something that soothes and grounds you, such as meditation, or journaling.
- Practice some morning stretches, or go for a walk with your family or pets. Move your body in a way that feels good.
- Sleep Sufficiently
Most people don’t acquire enough sleep during quarantine thinking they don’t need it. Sleep can have a large impact on how you feel both emotionally and physically. Not getting enough sleep can cause major health issues. But stress and other distractions can affect your sleep. Stay away from electronic devices before going to sleep and try to relax the best you can.
- Eat Healthy
The food you consume has the potential to either keep you healthy or contribute to weight gain or diseases such as diabetes, but it can also keep your mind working and alert. Pay attention to what’s on your plate.
- Enjoy Nature
Though it is mandated that you wear a mask, you are still allowed to take walks outside. Enjoy the fresh air outside and be gravitated by nature’s miraculous beauty. This is relaxing and beneficial for your physical and emotional health.
- Organize Your Workspace
Getting organized is often the first step to becoming healthier because it allows you to figure out what you need to do to take better care of yourself. A small change, like keeping a planner or a calendar, can help you write down all your responsibilities, while at the same time keeping your life more organized.
- Workout
Keeping your body in shape and healthy is essential. There are many apps you can use to create a personalized workout routine. Working out will not only keep your body fit and healthy, but you will feel much more positive at the end as you did something crucial for your body.
- Reduce Technology Usage
Though it’s difficult to not use electronic devices during the quarantine, try your best to limit your usage of technology. Instead, do activities that don’t require devices such as taking a walk, spending time with your family, or reading a book. Using technology for an excessive amount of time can have various negative side effects and can damage your Circadian Rhythm or sleep cycle.
- Read as Much as You Can
As Frederick Douglass once said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Though you may feel trapped and caged up at home, realize that you have the ability to read and that can truly transport yourself outside of the physical world. Reading allows the reader to take flight and discover new territory in which they have never dabbled in before. Use this quarantine as an opportunity to read books you enjoy and you will see the true benefits afterward.
