Let’s face it – lockdown hasn’t been the kindest to most people. For many of us, anxiety is high, therefore you might have slipped out of your old healthy routines and self-care habits. Being truly healthy isn’t just about eating the right things and working out every day. Mental, emotional and social health are all vital parts of true holistic wellness too.
Here are 8 things to do to practise self-care during lockdown.
1. Connect with a friend or family member
Connecting with other people (even virtually) not only helps you to feel more valued, it can also help to give you a different perspective on things. If you’re having a bad day, talking things through with someone can help to lighten the load. Check in on people that you know are living alone and don’t have any face-to-face contact.
If you don’t fancy talking to someone you know, online support groups can be a great place to start and connect with other people.
2. Get outside
If possible, try to immerse yourself in nature every day. Appreciate the fresh air. If you don’t have access to a local green space, instead admire the architecture and the quiet spaces around you. Having limited time outdoors should make this outdoor tranquillity even more precious.
3. Declutter
Facing this time at home, it’s important to create an environment that feels good to you. Organise and simplify your home space by decluttering physical items that don’t bring joy into your life. Start in the kitchen and take it one drawer at a time.
4. Get crafty
Getting creative is a great way to take your mind off of things for a while. There’s something very therapeutic and calming about sitting down and creating something, whether that’s a watercolour painting or a line drawing. Just try to give your brain a chance to switch off and experiment with colours and shapes.
5. Keep yourself physically active
Now that our gyms are no longer accessible, you need a bit more creativity to practise self-care during lockdown. Use the internet to its full advantage with its yoga classes on YouTube, fitness apps and more. You’ve got the choice of keeping active alone or enjoying live classes with a community.
6. Make yourself a fancy lunch
If you’re working from home for the time being, why not make the most of your kitchen during your lunch break? Treat yourself to a tasty meal to give yourself a boost at lunchtime, not to mention that cooking in itself can be incredibly relaxing.
7. Digital downtime
Make sure you take a break from the constant screen-time and news overload. This is particularly important in the evenings, as relaxation and good sleep is fundamental to our health.
8. Have fun!
Fun is the best way to practise self-care during lockdown. Learn a new language, cook a new recipe, take up a hobby. Just make sure you have some fun, even if it’s putting on your favourite music and having a dance around the house. There is so much joy to be found in the simplest of pleasures, and now is a great time to reconnect to them.