Being in self isolation can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Especially if you’re going at it alone. Being away from friends and family for long periods of time is depressing. Let’s not even talk about the anxiety of not knowing how long you’ll be in this situation. So it’s important to have self care practices to help you keep your sanity and make it through. Here’s some ways to practice self care while in self isolation.
KEEP UP WITH YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINES
When in self isolation, keep up with your beauty routines although you have nowhere to go. It will give you a sense of normalcy and keep you feeling good about yourself. Do your morning and evening skincare routines. Keep your hair clean and minimally styled, or throw on a headwrap (see my Headwrap Tutorial). Shave your legs. Give yourself a Brazilian Sugaring or use an epilator. Do an at home pedicure. Put on some predesigned press on nails. Looking good will help you to feel good.
COOK AT HOME
Skip the takeout and cook at home. A lot of people may think of cooking as just a chore. It’s not. Cooking is not only a way to nourish your body, but the process itself can boost your mood and give you a feeling of accomplishment. When you’re feeling blue, cook up your favorite meal. Then experience the joy of sitting down to eat, knowing that you made your meal with your own (clean) hands and that you’re putting good things into your body. Check out my recipes archive, and see my cooking blog Moore Mealz for more recipe ideas.
KEEP A JOURNAL
Keep a daily journal or adhere to whatever schedule works for you. Journaling will give you an outlet to express yourself and document your time in self isolation, including your feelings while living through the COVID-19 crisis. Have a hard time getting your feelings out on a blank page? Then try a guided journal. It will give you prompts to help you get started. Journaling can be as simple as writing down what you’re grateful for every day.
PRACTICE CALMING ACTIVITIES
Practice calming self care activities to combat anxiety. Light up some incense and curl up with an Adult Coloring Book with stress relieving patterns. Read or listen to self help books. Create a relaxation playlist. Listen to a meditation podcast. Whatever makes you feel relaxed, do that.
STAY CONNECTED WITH LOVED ONES
Staying connected with friends and family will help tremendously with the loneliness that self isolation can bring. Pick up the phone and actually call your loved ones. Better yet, video call so that you can see each others faces. You can use FaceTime or a video conferencing app to connect with multiple people at the same time, and can even plan virtual happy hours and brunches. You’ll realize that although those you love may not be there with you physically, they’re still with you in spirit and thought, and just a phone or video call away.
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
Most importantly, give yourself Grace. You’re going through a tough time and will have good days and bad days. Cry if you want to. Sleep all day if you don’t feel up to doing anything. It’s okay. Do whatever it is that you need to get through, and be kind to yourself while doing it.
