Quarantine is not fun for anyone. Some people are able to deal with the relative isolation and boredom better than others. But you probably won’t find many who are actually celebrating this unprecedented and difficult situation.
If this is the new normal, however, we need to find ways to adapt. Especially when it comes to our health and wellness.
Staying inside more often than not may be great for stopping the spread of disease. But we are social animals who crave interaction and are used to being outside.
So if you’re still struggling to find a balance and just can’t seem to regain that pep in your step, you need to practice some self-care. Don’t just accept our new fate. Be proactive and try these three tips for self-care during the quarantine.
Table of Contents
Self Care During Quarantine
1. Stress Reduction
It’s really hard to manage stress(1) these days. You surely are operating with higher-than-normal levels, and many of our typical outlets for stress reduction have been cut off. Many gyms are closed, for example. So are yoga studios, spas, and saunas. We can’t even try to blow off some steam at bars and movie theatres in a lot of cases.
This makes it more important than ever to find ways to cope at home. Meditation may be a great option. You can lift weights or otherwise work out in-home exercise routines. Or just start talking long walks. Whatever you chose, make sure to make stress reduction a priority.
Read: Yoga for Stress Management
2. Don’t Put It Off
Given the situation we’re in, it’s easy to say, “Oh, I’ll just do it next month when things are closer to normal.” This might be your excuse for exercise or eating better. And, honestly, nobody would fault you for having an extra cheat day or choosing to binge some Netflix on a Saturday instead of going for a run. But you do need to keep up with certain things.
Even small stuff, like haircuts and skincare routines, can make a world of difference in how you look and feel. And don’t forget to maintain key appointments for your eye doctor or dentist. It is always important to have dental coverage in place, including a Medicare dental plan for those eligible, to stay current with your preventative care and maintain your oral health.
Read: Dental Problems and Treatment
3. Indulge in Moderation
After all, we’ve been through, we need some ways to relax and unwind. Many of your normal means may now be impossible — especially if you can’t see some of your loved ones and best friends. Lacking close contact really can affect your health and well being. So feel free to let your self indulge a little bit — guilt-free. This doesn’t mean drinking a whole bottle of wine every day or eating all of the cookies.
But moderation in those areas is OK. And find other ways to treat yourself. Maybe it’s staying up a little late to finish a favourite movie, talking to a great friend for two hours on a workday afternoon, or lounging outside in the sun when you should be doing laundry. No matter how you chose to splurge, make it count. And don’t beat yourself up about it. We have all earned a little bit of luxury at this point.
Read: Social distancing and coronavirus
You Need to Be Kind to Yourself
Inactivity, especially for months on end, can really degrade our lifestyles, mood, and overall well being. We need to find ways to adapt and counteract the negative effects that this situation is having on us as individuals. We need to be kind to ourselves.
This is the essence of self-care. Find ways to reduce your stress, don’t delay important appointments or routines, and feel free to indulge a little bit here and there.
None of us knows how long this all will last. Hopefully, things will go back to the way they were before too much longer. But until that happens, you still need to work on yourself. Practice some self-care and it will help make a bad situation that much better.