It’s a famous mantra among millennials today – love yourself first. Indeed, if you practice taking care of yourself, everything else falls into place. After all, you cannot give with an empty cup.
This is true even during the pandemic period that we are experiencing this year. You cannot help others if you need to help yourself first. You cannot contribute to a cause if you are spending most of your time sick in bed. That is why it is essential also to take a breather, stop looking at others for a moment, and to start looking at yourself. If you feel like you need a timeout from everything that is happening nowadays, here are some seven fun self-care steps that you can do:
If you are stuck at home, try to get enough sleep, and make it a priority. Even if you are still going out of your house to work, do your best to recover your energy by getting ample sleep. You cannot do anything fun or productive if you do not start with this simple body function. It is also the best self-care activity you can do.
Physically, your body repairs and replenishes during sleep. That means your immune system is reliant on you getting the right number of snoozing hours. There are immune system reactions that activate only when you are deep in slumber. Lack of sleep will make you unfocused and tired all day.
Mentally and emotionally, sleep gives your whole body some rest. Getting enough sleep can improve your mood, and lack of it will make you feel irritable and increase your stress levels.
Move. Move. Move. Exercise has been proven to be an immunity booster and is encouraged by health experts. Typically, a quick 20-minute run or a 30-minute brisk walk to start your daily morning routine is enough; however, the Covid-19 outbreak forced individuals and families to stay at home and follow strict protocols if traveling or going out. As an alternative, try Zumba or dance routines in your backyard. Yoga is also another thing you can do. There are a lot of videos on the internet that can help you start if you have never tried these activities yet. It is high time that you stretch those muscles and move your arms and feet!
Have a social media detox. If you want to take the self-care challenge seriously, try to have a social media hiatus. Stay away from your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other online platforms where you can see what’s going on with everyone. Better yet, limit your screen time, whether it’s your phone or the video game console. As you detach yourself from digital technology and superficial social connections, take time, and smell the roses.
Get busy in the kitchen. Since eating out is highly discouraged nowadays, it’s time for home-cooked meals to take center stage. Most people find it therapeutic to cook. If you have no experience in baking, start with simple recipes like chocolate chip cookies or butter cookies. You can also learn how to prepare a new recipe. If your grandmother did not leave you with a cookbook full of family meal secrets, you could always ask Google or Youtube for the step by step procedure.
Nurse your green thumb. They say that this generation’s new children are animals and the new pets are plants. Learn the pure zen of taking care of a pot of ornamental flora from assembling the right soil base to picking the perfect container that will hold your plant and complement your room. These plant companions have different colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. You can choose from succulents, tropical plants, moss terrariums, ferns, or hanging plants. Let your outdoor and indoor space spring to life with these greeneries. Get your hands dirty, and look for your first plant today.
Learn a new craft. Discover something new about yourself and find a new activity to be engrossed in right now. If you have always wanted to knit, by all means, pick up a yarn and two needles and learn how to knit. If you already know how to do it, try another related activity, like crocheting or making a macramé. If you want to get a little adventurous, you can also learn a new hobby, like playing the ukulele or kalimba, for example.
Literally, take care of yourself. You can try all self-care tips to protect your body and your sanity, but sometimes, you still end up getting sick. If you are feeling ill during the pandemic, you will need proper care and treatment. Consider your local walk in clinic Calgary centers if you are looking for immediate health service without going to the hospital. Check if they also offer online consultations so that you can still talk to a doctor and get prescriptions without going out of your house.
Are you feeling the burnout setting in? Maybe it is time for you to step back and think more of yourself to restore what you have lost. Remember these tips and maintain your well-being and your personal and mental health despite the ongoing threat of the viral outbreak.
