Quarantine Self-Care Tips When You’re Feeling Down

These 2 months have been the most reflected time of my life and it took a worldwide pandemic to show me the realness of my own space. We have all been affected by this pandemic one way or another, while for some it could be a time to slow down and spend time with your loved ones and for some of us who is used to staying indoors, it could be boredom. Don’t get me wrong, as a blogger, I’m mostly indoors working on my projects so staying home is pretty much my cup of tea – until it gets too ‘restricted’. When experiencing stressful situations, it’s difficult to find healthy ways to cope and take care of yourself and we need support to navigate through this uncertain time. I hope you find these tips on how to care for your mind, body, and spirit helpful because it certainly helped me

10 Quarantine Self-Care Tips

1| Pay attention to your body. Establishing a check-in practice will help you develop self-awareness by bringing conscious attention to your physical, mental, and emotional state. It enables you to take notice of your current condition without judgment, especially during times of uneasiness. Ask yourself questions like, “What is out of my control and needs surrendering?” Based on that information, you can make intentional decisions that support your overall wellbeing.

2| Cry. We are all experiencing some type of grief and it’s okay to acknowledge and mourn our losses. So let it out.

3| Connect with friends. Don’t underestimate the importance of friendship. Identify the positive and loving people in your life and schedule a phone date with them. During this difficult time, engaging with people you connect with is medicine for the soul. We can support and be supported, receive, and offer words of wisdom or encouragement. Engaging in open and honest dialogue reminds us we are not experiencing this alone.

4| Limit your media consumption. Protect your energy. Take in what nourishes you: your body, mind, and spirit, and remove what doesn’t. This will help to reframe your thinking and shift your perspective. So try evaluating, monitoring, and limiting the amount of content you consume: the news, social media, emails. 

5|Label your feelings. This may sound elementary, but it works. When you’re feeling uneasy, put a name to it. So if you’re feeling anxious, tell yourself, “I’m anxious.” This helps you to take a step back and recognize that your anxious thoughts are just that, thoughts. They are not your reality, and you don’t have to let them consume you. Putting a word to your feelings is a way for you to recognize your emotional state and learn how to regulate your emotions. 

6| Do some mindful breathing. Do a few breathing exercises to calm your body and mind. Being intentional and taking notice of your body’s response to an environment or situation helps you to refocus and remain grounded.

7| Do some journaling. Find a place free from distraction, where you can get your thoughts flowing. Many forms of journaling can be used for emotional processing or stress management. Putting pen to paper has positive effects on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

8| Give back. As our lives have shifted into a new reality, we have a prime opportunity to take care of one another and show up for those in need. When you help someone, you also benefit because you gain a sense of joy, knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. Any act of kindness, whether big or small, can go a long way.

9| Do something you love. Make room in your schedule for something that brings you happiness. It will help boost your mood and produce more positivity in your life. When you feel better, you do better. Get lost in a good book, do an at-home workout, listen to your favorite podcast, play a fun game, or do some other activity that you enjoy.

10| Nourish your Spirit. During times of worry or fear, we can fix our eyes on God instead of placing our dependence on humans. People are great resources, but there is only one who can completely comfort our souls, handle our emotions, and provide us with the truth. He is our point of information and source of comfort. So set aside time to spend time with God. Allow Him to support you during this time.

Be safe, stay home, and take care.