Self-Care Inspiration During COVID-19 (or any time)
Look, how you handle your isolation time is completely your business. Get productive, or don’t. Organize all the closets in your house, or sit on the couch eating flaming hot cheetos while you binge-watch your favorite show. Do whatever you need to do to handle this weird phase in our society. And feel good about the fact that you are taking care of yourself.
If you need some inspiration, here are some self-care ideas:
Replicate our spa experience at home with hot towels! Heat up fully damp (not dripping) hand towels in your microwave at 30-second intervals. Wrap it around your neck and shoulders, feet, or whatever ails you. As an added bonus, add some of your favorite essential oils to the towel after it’s been warmed.
There’s a lot of talk about “practicing your breath” in yoga and meditation. Ever wonder what that means? There are some techniques that help with reducing anxiety, and focusing the mind. One exercise looks like this: Sit or lie comfortably in a quiet place (use headphones if you have to) with your eyes closed; inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, exhale through the mouth for 6 seconds. Do this for about a minute. This helps regulate your heart rate and can help slow your mind. Try it out!
Make a simple facial spray with essential oils: Mix 8 drops of essential oils with about 2 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Shake and spray! Use whatever combination you like; some popular oils are lavender, sage, rose, peppermint, or orange, Use to hydrate or just to smell something uplifting.
Some other small ideas to make your time more relaxing:
Herbal teas or coffees - caffeine ramps up our stress hormones. If you’re already stressed, maybe try some caffeine-free beverages.
Journaling (you can find prompts on websites like this)
Play board games or card games
Random acts of kindness (there’s a whole organization dedicated to this cause)
Put on some chillhop or coffeeshop jazz or music with relaxing nature sounds on youtube (some of them have relaxing images, or cute animation)
Warm your heart with some videos from SoulPancake.
You are important, and taking care of you is also important. You don't have to be productive during this time. I personally find it a little relaxing to do something productive. You may find it more relaxing to...just relax. Take care of yourself at this time, whatever that looks like for you.