September 21, 2020

5 Ways to Practice Self-Care During COVID-19

Benefits of Meditation Infographic including self care, awareness, sleep, attention span, kindness

Staying home can be difficult for many of us. Especially if we do not get to see other people, or have now had to adjust our work environment into our own homes. Many people leave self-care at the bottom of their list because they believe the other matters in their lives are more pressing. However, taking care of yourself should not be seen as a luxury... it is essential! How much alone time do you spend a day? You may only have a few minutes to yourself away from your family, or you may live alone and spend all your time by yourself; either way, you need to set aside time for self-care, because a healthy body needs a healthy and well-rested mind.

Here are some tips and methods you can use to clear your head and enjoy your presence:

MEDITATION:

The topic of meditation turns off many people at first because it can be difficult to get started, but let's talk about all the benefits of it.

First, meditation reduces stress and controls anxiety. It is a great way to calm your nerves and promote emotional and mental health. Meditation improves self-image and overall makes you more self-aware. You will have a more optimistic outlook on life and see yourself with greater understanding. This leads to personal growth and helps you grow into your best self! Who doesn't want to be their true and best selves?!

Along with self-awareness comes organizing and recognizing the harmful or self-deprecating thoughts. When you focus on yourself and your breathing, it lengthens your attention span. Imagine what we could do if we took just 10 minutes a day to meditate, rather than scroll down Instagram for the tenth time! Overall, meditation makes you a much more optimistic person. Not only will you have more positive feelings towards yourself, but you will also extend that kindness and forgiveness externally to those around you. Meditation helps you relax your body, release tension, and place yourself in a peaceful state of mind. This contributes to improved sleep, so it is worth the time and focus! Meditation helps your mental and emotional health, and anyone can do it! It is not only for the strong-minded or focused people; you can start wherever you are.

Creating the right headspace can make all the difference. This means creating an environment that is conducive to meditation and relaxation. Aromatherapy and Feng Shui are great ways to help create a space that inspires you to meditate. If you want to find the best scent for you and your needs, our scent guide and blog about "How Scents Affect Our Mood" can help.

Now you know that adding meditation to your daily routine helps you boost your attitude, sleep better, and become more self-aware, but we don't always have the time or willingness to do so.

Here are 5 easy ways to take care of your mind and body:

1) Make time for yourself

Even the most extroverted among us need time to recharge and decompress. Whether you are meditating, reading, going on a walk, baking, taking a bath, or just binge-watching your favorite show, find time to relax. Whatever you've got to do to get away from your daily life's stress and clear your mind.

2) Be realistic

News flash!!! You are not perfect! No one is. The sooner you accept that you cannot do absolutely everything at once, you start being real with yourself. Tell yourself it is ok to stop there, it's ok to take a break, and it is ok if it takes you longer than you thought to finish a project. Be proud of what you do accomplish rather than worrying about what you did not do.

3) Reconnect with things you enjoy

It is the perfect time to get back in touch with the old hobbies you like to do but do not always have time for. Hopefully, no matter what this is for you, you can find some joy in the old activities you used to find the time.

4) Find new things you enjoy

If you don't have a hobby to get back into, pick up a new one instead! Try something you've never done before; you never know what you'll get into. You might just find your new favorite thing. Here are some suggestions:

Find a new show to watch
Adult coloring books
Go for walks outside of your neighborhood
Listen to podcasts
Reorganize your living space
Go for hikes
Try to make a home-cooked meal or new recipe every week
Meditate everyday
Find a book series to read
Try a new workout class
Go to new places on little day trips
Gardening
Journaling
Upcycling or sewing
Volunteer somewhere

5) Get out of the house

Fresh air is always an excellent way to clear your mind and forget about your anxieties. If you are working from home, getting out of the house or your workspace is one way to step away from the projects or assignments you need to get done. Sometimes the most challenging part is just getting out of the house. Put on some walking or exercise clothes to get motivated to get outside. Even if it is just a walk around the block in between zoom calls. Try to make it a goal to do something outside every single day!