Are you having a hard time adjusting to a work-from-home setup? Are you stressing about returning to school with your weight gain? Have you been worrying about you and your family’s safety on a daily basis?
These stressors might seem shallow for some but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t real.
And it doesn’t mean you’re the only one feeling them. A recent study found that 18% of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 also showed symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
A year and a half into the pandemic and self-care routines have become more relevant than ever. Here are five vital self-care tips that would help get you through your daily stress and improve your life:
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Focus on fitness
You can’t really focus on maintaining your emotional and mental health if your body is in pain. The first step into becoming completely healthy is by physically working on your body.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that help relieve stress and pain. Once your body gets used to the feel-good hormones, physical activities won’t seem such a drag.
Exercise daily even for as short as half an hour. Do some squats while cooking, lift your water bottles as you walk, do sit-ups as you watch TV. Add physical twists to your household chores and daily routine. Washing dishes while jogging in place might be the key to getting the toned body you’ve always dreamed of.
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Remember your hygiene
If you get your car washed regularly why mustn’t you do the same for your body? Your body is your only constant possession in life. Keeping it as clean as possible is a responsibility.
Work on your glow-up. Take time to tend to your skin’s needs. Do not settle with just washing your face. Using moisturizers not only helps you look fresh, but also keeps your skin healthy.
Work on your smile. Just brushing your teeth is not enough. Visit your dental clinic every six months. Now is exactly the right time for you to smile more. And smiling with cleaner and whiter teeth might give you the confidence boost that you need.
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Stimulate your mind
Unwanted repetition is one of the most common causes of stress. Doing the same things day in and day out can suck the life out of anyone. Combine working and studying from home with having limited options for social interactions and you get a higher probability of getting burnt out.
Spice up your life with new weekly challenges and help your mind grow. Take up voice lessons or practice dancing. Study creative writing or enhance your DIY crafting skills. Rekindle your childhood passions. Choose a skill you used to love and pick up where you left off. Learning new skills will help keep your mind balanced and active.
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Give your mind some rest
Getting updates about everything happening in the world can be a double-edged sword. As important as staying informed is, anxiety caused by too much news consumption is becoming more common these days.
When health and financial problems seem to pile up hourly, giving yourself a minute of nothing but good music can feel like an eternity.
Your mind deserves the luxury of escaping a world of worries even for a little. Binge-watch TV shows, listen to music, play games, take naps. Rest. Facing your day and all its challenges becomes easier with a well-rested body and a fresh mindset.
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Learn to communicate
Even with the lockdown lifted, some people might still feel isolated. And since talking to a psychiatrist is not something everyone is comfortable doing, many choose to ignore what they are feeling. But there are actually simpler alternatives for you.
Reach out to friends. Reconnect. Start conversations in your social circles. Share the highlights of your day. Talking about what you’re going through can be a good way to process your feelings. It gives a sense of control to your narrative. And knowing you have people who understand you can give you a kind of peace you’ve never imagined.
As simple as all these tips may sound, most of us actually pay little to no attention to our well-being. And as we face the “new normal” and the psychological, social, and financial limitations it brings, it is now the best time to focus on taking care of ourselves. We need to consciously take the first step and start working on our welfare through self-care routines as simple as the ones listed above. Remember that you are the only one who can truly help yourself.
