Life was already stressful enough before the world completely shifted and we suddenly became prisoners in our homes. In addition to the stress of day-to-day life, COVID-19 has also brought upon us fear, panic and uncertainty. With the majority of the U.S. following the Stay Home Order, people have come up with newfound ways to spend their time indoors. It feels like everytime I tune in to social media or speak to friends and family, I’m bombarded with tips on how to be productive while quarantined. Sure, reorganizing every part of the house, cooking gourmet meals and having a full on gym session daily at home sounds like a great use of time. Honestly speaking, most days the only thing I want to do is… nothing. This global pandemic is traumatic and while we are going through it collectively, each of us is handling it differently. I want to remind everyone that being productive can include caring for your own well being. If you’re spending your time redesigning the landscape in your backyard, that’s great! If you allowed yourself to take a thirty minute nap without feeling guilty, that’s equally great! We should be able to celebrate the big and small things during this isolation period. The constant attempts to overachieve will eventually lead to burnout. I want to share with you a few ideas for selfcare that can help you relax and relieve some mental stress.
At Home Facial
I try to take care of my skin as best as possible with a simple skincare routine. Lately I haven’t been wearing makeup. Some of you may already know that my day job is in banking and even though my line of work is essential, I’ve been fortunate to be able to work from home because I am in a back office department. Unfortunately, that means I’ve been lacking in giving my skin some attention. On days when I feel overly stressed, I like to take about thirty minutes to myself and give myself a mini facial. It’s best to start your mini facial after a nice warm shower so that your pores open. Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser, then exfoliate. You can also do this step in the shower. Next, apply a toner to remove excess oil from your skin. Now that you’ve prepped your skin, put on a detoxifying mask – I like to focus it on my t-zone then apply a hydrating mask for the rest of my face because my skin tends to be dry. After about fifteen minutes, wash off the mask. Follow up with a hydrating eye cream and skin serum. After your skin has absorbed them, put on some moisturizer. Last but not least, don’t forget to give your lips some attention. A lip scrub and moisturizing lip balm go a long way.
Breathe
While this may not be new information to you, I only learned recently from Subia that taking in deep mindful breaths can lower stress and make you feel more calm and relaxed. Breathing exercises are simple and extremely effective. When you breathe consciously, your body can release negative energy that may be stored and causing you to have tension. Try following the four breathing techniques from Subia’s recent article, Don’t Hold Your Breath – Breathing Techniques to Calm the Chaos. A step by step video is included to guide you through each breathing technique. Ten minutes of meditation can also decrease stress and lower anxiety.
Get Some Rest
Simply put, our bodies need rest. Studies show that a good night’s rest consistently, can keep our immune system strong. In addition, getting enough sleep will increase your focus and restore your energy. Listen to your body if you’re feeling tired or fatigued. Try to sleep an hour earlier or sleep in an hour later than usual. One way I’ve found that helps me sleep earlier is to put away my phone at night. We’ve probably all been there more times than we’d like to admit but surfing the internet late at night can drag you into a deep dark circle that just keeps going round and round. Another way to rest your body is by taking a nap – they’re not just for toddlers. If you’re feeling groggy at 3 p.m. take a recharging power nap. Don’t guilt yourself for prioritizing your well being.
Get Moving
Exercising is known to release endorphins and endorphins trigger a feeling of positivity. I’m not saying we all need to come out of this quarantine as bodybuilders but taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood is a great form of light exercise. Just be sure to maintain six feet of distance if you come across others also going for a walk. If you don’t feel comfortable being outside, jump rope indoors to get your heart rate going or jog up and down your stairs.
Give Back
For many of us, the feeling of lacking control over the ongoing situation can cause anxiety and stress. I can certainly speak for myself when I say I’m feeling helpless right now. Many Americans are experiencing unemployment or loss of income. Seniors are sheltering in place because they have a higher mortality risk if they contract the virus. Schools are out and that means many children that relied on school meals for daily nutrition could be going hungry. Animal shelters are seeing an increase in animals needing foster care due to people becoming seriously ill or hospitalized. There are several ways we can do our part and feel like we are contributing to society. If you’re able to, consider donating to an organization that provides meals or financial assistance to families suffering due to COVID-19. Feeding America, No Kid Hungry and Meals on Wheels are doing great work to feed American families. Check in on your elderly neighbors and ask if they need anything that you can pick up for them if you’re already planning on grocery shopping, etc. Call your local animal shelter and adopt a pet or find out what supplies they may need that you can donate. If you’re not able to adopt, consider fostering. The American Red Cross has declared a severe shortage in blood as result of blood drives being cancelled. Call and make appointment to donate blood if you’re able to. Giving back to your community or performing an act of kindness can give you a sense of meaning and internal satisfaction. We need to do our best during these tough times and not be so hard on ourselves.
