We are living in a stressful and unprecedented time at the moment. The global pandemic has brought a lot of uncertainty to many people. Because of this, there have been reports of increases in depression and anxiety for many people. If you’re feeling the pressure during this time, self-care can be an important factor in helping you through it.
Self-care activities aren’t a selfish exercise to partake in. In fact, if you’re in a position where you care for others (such as elderly parents or children), you may find that looking after yourself allows you to help others more effectively. Caring for yourself also means you can handle extra stressors and feel more relaxed. There are a number of easy, simple and cheap (sometimes, free!) ways to care for yourself from the comfort of your own home.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice that has been undertaken by many people of all walks of life for thousands of years; and for good reason. The reason it has been practised for so many years is that many people found it to be a good tool in dealing with stress and improving mental health.
It’s easy to get started, too. There are a plethora of smartphone apps that can guide you through a meditation practice. Whether you want to improve your sleep, help find clarity or just want to relax into your day, there is an app/meditation available to help you. If you don’t want to download an app, you can also find a number of Youtube videos of guided meditations that are available completely free.
Write A Gratitude List
Now, more than ever is a good time to remember what you are grateful for. In the big scheme of things, it may feel like there is a lot of negativity surrounding you and not much positivity to keep you afloat. A list of all the things that you are grateful for is a good way to get started on remembering the good that is still around you.
You can choose to do a list on a one-off basis or you can choose to write your list at the end of each day and just choose two or three things to write down. Gratitude helps you to be more grounded and allows you to reflect on the things that you are thankful for.
Unplug For The Day
Social media and online reports are full of negative headlines and stressful news. Even your friends and family may be making it hard to stay positive during this time. If you’re staying at home for the day, that might be a good time to turn off your phone or avoid going online. Turn off any unnecessary devices and spend time alone, with family or a friend. Having a break can help you feel recharged and help reduce any stress surrounding the pandemic.
If you really need to know what is happening with current events, you can still unplug for the day. Ask a friend or family member to only let you know of important updates so that you can still get the information you need without being inundated with reports.
Try Something New
Have an old keyboard in storage? Always wanted to learn a new language? Now is a good time to take on new skills. Learning something new not only helps keep the boredom away but also gives you the confidence to know that you have achieved something. Learning a new skill is certainly a form of self-care as you’re looking after yourself and improving yourself in some way.
If a new language is something you’d like to achieve, a good way to get started is via an app called Duolingo. It is free to download and use, but there are paid options if you choose to utilise them. There is a huge number of languages to choose from, so you’ll be able to learn a language you love in no time.
Self-care should be an important aspect of your daily life, regardless of whether there is a global pandemic or not. The key to its success is by finding an activity you love and one that you can stick with. If you find something you enjoy, it will be easy to take care of yourself and get through stressors easier.