Self-Care During Quarantine

Social media might lead you to believe that you need to leave your social distancing stay-at-home quarantine with a new skill, new business, or even having learned a new language. But at the end of the day, you’re living through an incredibly stressful and uncertain time – a global pandemic, and the only thing you really need to be focused on is your mental and physical well-being.

This downtime should be spent pampering yourself, and reconnecting with what makes you happy — not feeling pressure to live up to Instagram expectations. If you do anything, it should be prioritizing your own sanity, and working on a few self-care projects to keep you going until we’re all back outside again. Need a few ideas? Here are a few self-care projects that you can indulge in.

Have a few things that you’ve been pinning to your Pinterest board since last year? Whether it’s a home DIY project you’ve been putting off, a dress you’ve always wanted to create, or a quilt you’ve always wanted to put together — now is the time. Many craft stores even offer same day delivery and curbside pickup so that you can do your DIYs at home.

Practice mindfulness
It’s safe to say that many of us are stressed and under extreme pressure right now. With over 22 million people who have filed for unemployment, children who are out of school, and many of us unsure of what the next few months will look like — staying sane is the most important goal. Taking this time to reconnect spiritually will do wonders for your life moving forward. Tons of free apps out there can help your meditation and mindfulness by offering expert-created guided meditations.

Upgrade your home
Since many of us will be at home for the foreseeable future, it only makes sense to upgrade your house to reflect the wellness sanctuary that you need. Not only will this increase your feelings of happiness, and love, but will also do wonders for your productivity in those moments when you can’t find motivation. Upgrading doesn’t have to be in the form of major overhaul either. It can be something as simple as swapping out your bedding, rearranging some furniture, or adding some greenery to your home.

Have fun
What about a Zoom call over happy hour with your friends? Have you planned an at-home date night with your partner? If you’ve got time for work and all the other things, then you certainly need to incorporate time for yourself. Quarantine can also be fun, if you let it.

Virtual workouts
Move your body not only for the sake of moving your body but also because it makes you feel good afterwards. Exercising releases endorphins that boost your mood and reduce your overall stress. So turn off the news sometimes and move your body! Many gyms offer free workouts, and you can find plenty of free workouts through YouTube and fitness apps.

Do nothing
And probably the most important of them all — doing nothing! Take a little time out for yourself and rest your mind and body. Not only is it good for the spirit, but it increases productivity for those days when you have to force yourself from the bed to the couch.