Focusing On Self Care During a Crisis

Self care is not a new concept. However, it is something that is being talked about more often thanks to the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many people are faced with financial uncertainty, stress and upheaval. Finding effective self-care strategies is essential for maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Try these simple self-care tips to keep yourself on an even keel during challenging times. Make Yourself a Priority It's easy to fall into the trap of looking after everyone but yourself. Sacrificing self-care to the point of running on too little sleep, not eating enough, and not taking time to decompress is counter-productive. The impact of sleep on brain function is well documented. If you feel like you're running yourself ragged, it's time for a change. Make a point of improving your sleep hygiene and getting to bed on time. After a few days, you may discover that your days are far more productive when you're clear-headed and not chronically tired. Stay Active Another thing that tends to fall by the wayside during times of stress is exercise. Taking time out to go to the gym when you have a lot on your mind may seem indulgent and wasteful, but it can actually be one of the best decisions that you could make. Exercise is good for your mental health, and can reduce your risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease too. Get into the habit of going for a walk, doing some yoga or even following a quick dancercise video online every day. The pay-off will be a better mood for the rest of the day, and maybe even better sleep too. Enjoy Some 'Me' Time You deserve to treat yourself, and if you're finding that your love life is a little quiet at the moment, there's nothing wrong with taking matters into your own hands. Treat yourself to some personal products. If you can't or don't want to go shopping, why not buy vibrators online? There are many options to choose from and taking some time to explore your body and what makes you feel good can be a liberating and relaxing experience. Accept You Can't Do Everything Prioritizing is a skill that is useful at any stage in your life, but it's even more important in a crisis. If you are feeling overwhelmed with new responsibilities, sit down and assess the things that are placing demands on your time. Make a list of the things that are the most important, the things that would be 'nice to get done', and the things that are no longer necessary. Schedule some self-care (exercise, sleep, treats) in the important category along with your most pressing responsibilities. Learn to let go of the rest either by delegating, or just accepting that you can't do everything. When you stop worrying about things that really don't matter, you can start enjoying life again.