Self Care tips during COVID-19

Can we, just take a minute here, and revel in the times we are living in? This pandemic is yes, full of confusion, sacrifice, and scared emotions as we all experience COVID-19 together as a human race. However, it is also a time of great history in the making. We are what everyone will be reading about for ages to come. This, dare I say, experience of a lifetime will most likely never happen again for us and I hope you take full advantage of that fact.

By take advantage I mean utilize the time we have been given to sit in stillness with ourselves. We are so used to looking for the answers to our problems from social media, influencers, stores, work, etc. when in reality all we ever need is within us. It’s the little voice inside telling us where our heart is and what step to take next.

Everything happens for a reason, which means COVID-19 came with a cause. No one will ever know all the reasons but I do believe there are some obvious ones. First and foremost Mother Earth needed a time out to recoup. She was stressed, over worked, and on the brink of destruction so she pulled the mama card and sent us all to our rooms so she can rest.

The second reason, was for you. I do believe God in all his magic, created this at a time when YOU needed to pause and reflect as well. Perhaps you were headed in the wrong direction, or something you were setting up was going to blow up in your face and you needed a moment to re-think and re-strategize. I know this pandemic came at the right time for me. I was headed down a direction that didn’t necessarily feed my soul but I was progressing down a path that was safe.

Safe is rarely the way, and risk is needed when you want to go for the bigger dreams, the ones that fuel your life and heart in a way nothing else can. During this time is when you get a second chance, especially if you were let go from a job you didn’t love but did for the paycheck. What would you rather be doing? Where is your little voice inside telling you to go next?

These questions may be hard to answer if you are in a survival mentally. When you are not in your power you are unable to truly listen and feel everything the world is trying to tell you. To get into your power you must first spend some time with yourself, giving yourself some self love. There are many ways to do this so this list does not include everything but below I have detailed some activities and ways you can spend some time in self care and bring yourself into your power.

1. Spend some time every morning in quiet time. Have a cup of coffee or tea and sit in silence, taking deep long breaths, make a list in your mind of a few things your thankful for, and enjoy the fact you are alive and well.
2. Write in a journal. Writing is one of the best ways to release any emotions you are feeling. Sometimes a brain dump is all you need to clear your mind and allow new ideas to come in. Write how you’re feeling, whats happening in your life, small projects you wish to get done during this time, and anything else that comes to mind.
3. Give yourself Grace. Right now is hard, really hard with some days being better than others. It is ok to not be okay. Anger, fear, sadness are all normal emotions to feel and express. It’s good to release them through tears, talking with someone, working out, or any other positive way so you don’t keep it bottled up.
4. Find a hobby. This one is important. It’s a hobby that doesn’t have anything to do with anything except it gives you joy and releases tension. Mine has been plants. I’ve slowly started growing more herbs and have recently attempted an avocado tree, we’ll see how it plays out. Some other ideas are drawing, painting, reading books, re-decorating the house, etc.
5. Exercise. Even if you’re not an avid fitness person, going for a walk, run, or doing an online workout will help release aggression and make you feel better.
6. 80/20 Rule. “Snacky snacks” are trending and if you’re an emotional eater like me, this time is tempting you like no other to eat your emotions. The 80/20 rule is simple: you eat healthy food 80% of your day and allow up to 20% for junk food. It’ll help keep a balance and not let the junk food make you feel sluggish and lethargic.
7. Stretch. We are spending a lot more time in front of the television and phone right now which leads to tight hips which then leads to a ton of other tightness in the body. Once a day while you’re watching your show of the week, sit down on the floor and do a series of stretches to keep your body less stressed and mobile.
8. Change your environment. Your home is your sanctuary but now it is also kind of your cage so make your cage pretty and less cluttered. Go through closets, rooms, cabinets, and other places random things like to hide and go through it. de-cluttering your home also helps you de-clutter your life. Your environment plays a huge part in your mood, if your home is cozy and clean, you’ll feel that way too.
9. Spend some time with Nature. If weather and your town permits go for a walk or run in nature. If you are unable to then sit next your window and look at the trees or watch a nature program on Netflix or Disney+. They have tons and there’s something about nature that is healing from the inside out.
10. Give your body TLC. Moisturize your face and body with lotions, soak your feet and paint your nails, take a bath, give yourself a mini facial, pamper yourself and allow your body to release the stress that its holding in.

We are all in this together, but we are also all called to use this time to grow within ourselves. Not just for ourselves, but for the world as a whole. When this ends, and it will, what kind of life do you want to have? What kind of world do you want to live in? Do you want to go right back to the way things used to be, or do you want to work toward a better, more fulfilling life and world?

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth going back to.”

Dave Hollis