Self-Care

Self-care is very important. No matter who you are or what you do, it’s important to take care of yourself mentally, physically (and if need be) spiritually. As you know we are going through a pandemic and this is a stressful time for many people. Some people are on furlough and out of work, some people were let go from work entirely and others are “essential workers” doing what they can during this time. Regardless of where you are, making sure that you take care of yourself is important. Rather than listing out a general list of self-care routines, I’d rather share what works for me.

Yoga and exercise has helped me so far in making sure that I keep mentally sane. Before the lockdown started, I was in the gym fairly frequently. I got sick right around the beginning of the lockdown and I stopped being active for 2-3 weeks just so I could recover. Once I began feeling better, I found an at-home full body workout routine and a yoga app. Since then, I began working out again on a regular basis and yoga as well. The time I go through my workout/yoga routine is the time I can quiet the world around me and focus on my routine. Nothing else matters other than finishing the workout routine. Afterwards I’m less stressed about the things that are going around me.

Now another self-care routine for me are video games. This may seem trivial but with the extended periods that I’ve been home there isn’t much to do. Of course I can read a book or maybe pick up a new skill but anyone that knows me knows that I am a child at heart. Video games is another escape from the reality around us. Whatever game you choose allows you to enter another reality for an extended period of time and your only focus is whatever the objective is of the game.

Now these are just a few things that have helped me stay calm during this stressful time and honestly you don’t have to listen to me. The great thing about self-care is that it’s specific to the person that does it. Some people like to do affirmations every morning and that’s cool. I get nothing out of doing that, therefore I don’t do it. My self-care routines stem from something that I enjoy and something that can take my focus on what we are dealing with everyday and unfortunately will be dealing with for some time. I ask that you find the same for yourself.