Self-Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak
As COVID-19 becomes more widespread in the United States, medical experts have strongly encouraged social distancing to help decrease the spread of the illness and to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. Here’s some self-care tips to not only survive social distancing and self-quarantining, but to thrive during your isolation.
Limit your exposure to media coverage. Some news exposure is certainly necessary to keep up-to-date on recommendations, and to help empower you to make appropriate decisions. However, be sure to evaluate what is helping you and what is hurting you. Consider setting limits for how much you read the news each day, or only read updates from certain reliable sources such as the CDC and WHO. Setting limits for social media during this time can also be beneficial.
Reach out to family and friends. Yes, you may be in quarantine, but technology makes it easy to reach out to others. Start a silly meme thread with friends. Facetime with a family member that you haven’t spoken to in awhile. Look into virtual meet ups, such as virtual book clubs or game nights.
Get some fresh air. Being quarantined doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t leave the house. Sit outside in your backyard on a nice day, go for a hike, take a walk around your neighborhood. Fresh air has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental health, including strengthening your immune system. Just be sure to keep your distance from others.
Do some of those tasks you’ve been putting off. Clean out your closet, organize photos or music, do a deep clean of your house (not a bad idea during a viral outbreak), rearrange furniture, read a book, do your taxes, binge a show you’ve been meaning to watch… the possibilities are endless! Crossing those tasks off your to-do list can help you feel accomplished and allows you to exercise control over some of the things that are actually in your power.
Practice acts of kindness. Participating in randoms acts of kindness has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. With the impact we’re seeing as a result of the virus, what a wonderful time to show a little kindness! Check in on your neighbors, especially the eldery and immunocompromised. Send a gift card to someone who may be struggling financially as a result of decreased work. Express gratitude to first responders or those in the healthcare field by sending an e-card or message. Make a list of people you’re grateful for and reach out to say thanks.
Learn some new relaxation skills. Try out yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, or a prayer exercise. Now is an excellent time to set aside time for your mental health, and maybe you can learn some skills that you’ll use on a regular basis even after the social distancing period is over.
Have a regular routine. Sure, you might be sleeping in a little more than usual. But don’t forget to practice basic self-care: take showers, get dressed, eat regularly scheduled meals, take your prescribed medications at the appropriate time, and get enough sleep. Routines can have a positive impact on your mental health.
Schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. It is common for people to be experiencing increased mental health difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re having trouble coping, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. Many are offering Telehealth appointments at this time, so you may not even need to leave your house.
We are all in this together. Take a deep breath, and take care of yourself.
