Before quarantine, during your everyday life, it might have been hard to fit self-care into your busy schedule. Now, however, the stay-at-home order has given many people more time to prioritize their health and well-being over work, school, or any extracurricular activities. Here are some quick, easy, and essential tips about how to take care of yourself without paying a penny during this troubling time.
1. Hydrate, Don't Die-drate: As the spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsm and a certified diabetes educator Vandana R. Sheth, R.D.N., said, "Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. We often wake up after a night's sleep slightly dehydrated." Despite the simplicity of this action, not many people manage to stay sufficiently hydrated on a daily basis, leading to the development of a short temper and bad attitude.
2. Practicing Positive Self-Talk: As much as we refuse to admit it, we spend A LOT of time looking at ourselves in the mirror. But what do we do during that time? We criticize ourselves. We see our forehead acne, untamable hair, and imperfect bone structure. Instead of emanating this negative energy, we should compliment ourselves and point out what we love about ourselves. Remind yourself that you're beautiful, special, and one-of-a-kind. Give yourself a pep talk, detailing your greatest strengths and encouraging more confidence. This boost in self esteem can truly help you gain a positive outlook on life.
3. Know Your Limits: Never say no to saying no, even though this might be hard for many of us. We often feel obligated to say yes to everything, stemming from the belief that we owe those we care about our time and energy. But the truth is, constantly responding yes to any situation can lead to a burnout. When we lose our energy, we lose our motivation, and this may result in higher levels of anxiety and irritability. It is important to understand that everyone has limits, and learning how to say no for yourself is liberating, like a large weight lifting off your shoulders.
4. Let Yourself Laugh: There is a reason people say laughter is the best medicine. Stress can be exhausting, and scheduling just a few minutes of "play" into your schedule can greatly improve your state of mind. Along with releasing endorphins, laughter has the ability to ease your body's response to stress while stimulating circulating and helping with muscle relaxation, according to the Mayo Clinic. So watch a funny movie and spend quality time with your friends, it won't be a waste of time.
5. Organize Your Surroundings: When was the last time you cleaned your room? Yesterday? Or you can't even remember? Taking time to organize the space around you might seem boring at first, but finishing the task at hand is followed by a sense of inner calm and relief. Whether it's clearing up your emails and google drive or physically cleaning out your closet, organization is known to boost productivity and stimulate creativity. The next time you're yelled at for not cleaning your room, remember this.
It is always important to take care of your body, mind, and soul. Especially now, more than ever, self-care can help people manage stress over this situation and be resilient despite any hardships. If you have any other ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine, let us know! As always, stay safe and healthy!
Written by: Kruthi Gollapudi, Publicist
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