During this pandemic, I’m sure there are a majority of us who have been affected by it either directly or indirectly. The Covid-19 pandemic has put a stress on our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. I recall the challenge of working from home not just for me but the whole family. Everyone locked down in the house for an extended period of time. This really challenged ourselves and our family. In order to rise above this challenge, we had to take practice some self-care tips.
By the way, before we explore further on self-care tips, check out WHO’s page for more info on Covid-19.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is the act of caring for one’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It can be done in many ways including therapy, exercise, meditation, listening to music, or even distracting oneself.
Self-care is important because it provides a sense of relief and takes away some of the pressure that life often brings. For example, one might exercise to relieve stress after a long day at work or they might take time to read on their lunch break in order to relieve their stress.
Self-care is not just about mood management but also has physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure and reducing risk of chronic diseases.
Here are a few self-care tips during this time:
Self-Care Tip #1 Exercise
Exercise is a great way to release endorphins and de-stress after a long day at work. This does not necessarily need to be intense workout sessions; even going for a walk or stretching will do wonders for your body!
Self-Care Tip #2 Self-massaging
One of the quickest ways to relieve some pressure and pain from too much sitting is by self-massaging. A self massage can help with muscle tension, which will likely arise after prolonged periods of sitting. Self-massaging is also an excellent way to warm up before any exercise routine.
Self-Care Tip #3 Stay Hydrated
Drink water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Drink a glass of water before your workday begins. Drink two glasses per hour during your workday, or more if you’re working hard or being exposed to dry conditions like air conditioning or heating systems.
Check out Healthline for 5 Best Ways to Stay Hydrated (Water, Coffee and Tea, Skim and Low Fat Milk, Fruits and Vegetables, Oral Hydration Solutions)
Self-Care Tip #4 Sleep Well
When possible, sleep for seven to eight hours each night. This includes taking naps when needed to help manage fatigue. Sleep is the time where your body and mind recover from the stresses of the day. Sleep deprivation has been linked to a number of chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and depression.
Self-Care Tip #5 Eat Healthy
Self-care can be both mental and physical. It’s important to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of others. Eating healthy is one way that we can do this. Fruits and vegetables provide us the vitamins and proteins that we need to keep our bodies running smoothly.
Self-Care Tip #6 Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that is growing in popularity in the Western world. The aim of this technique is to bring attention to the present moment and one’s thoughts and emotions. This practice can be done in many ways, such as mindful breathing, mindful eating, mindful walking or mindful standing.
Self-Care Tip #7 Take time off or take a break whenever you need it
Working all the time isn’t healthy. Taking some time off or taking a break can help you de-stress and remember what it’s like to enjoy life. There are lots of ways to take time off work, like taking some vacation days, giving yourself a mental health day, or taking an hour for lunch instead of working through lunch.
Add on: Don’t forget to wash your hands frequently and stay safe
Conclusion
Self-care is vital to our well-being. It can be easy to forget about our own needs when we are so focused on the demands of work, family, and other obligations. It’s important to take care of ourselves in order to remain productive and healthy. This will not only help us stay energized but also maintain a positive outlook. I wish you well during these challenging times. These self-care tips are some important tips that will help you through this time.
I do hope that everyone take some time off to work on self-care for yourself and your family during this time.
