When it comes to stressful times, one of the things that often gets put on hold is self-care. Everything else takes priority and doing the little things, even though they are the ones that make us feel so much better, are put on the backburner. Say yes to self-care and try these 8 tips for self-care during lockdown that will put a smile on your face.
What is self-care?
When we think about whether or not we take care of ourselves, our answer more times than not would be yes. But is taking care of yourself the same as self-care? While taking care of yourself could be anything from having a shower to freshen up or having a good paying job that keeps you financially secure, self-care is more intentional. It could be any activity that you undertake that takes care of one of the facets of your health – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and others. There are many, many benefits in indulging in a little tender loving care and now is the perfect time to start a self-care during lockdown routine.
Benefits of self-care
While sometimes it could seem difficult to find the time and the energy to put into self-care, even giving 5-10 minutes of your day towards an activity that is mindful of your needs could make you feel better. Improving mood, feeling more relaxed, rejuvenating mind and body, providing a break from stress and giving you the opportunity to spend time with yourself are some of the benefits you could see from indulging in self-care during lockdown.
8 self-care routine tips to follow
1. Get more sleep
It’s not just about the quantity of sleep, but the quality too. The first step towards sleeping better is to stick to a schedule. Pick a sleep time and wake up time and try to stick to it as much as possible. Once your body gets used to it, when bedtime rolls around, you will automatically feel sleepy at that time.
Create a more relaxing atmosphere – dim the lights, make your bed, remove any distractions and adjust the temperature. Once your bed is ready, you can also do something relaxing before settling in like reading your favourite book, having a warm bath or even listening to calming music to unwind and also put you into the mood to sleep.
2. Movement is key
Other lockdown self-care tips include moving your body – in short, exercising. That doesn’t mean only going to the gym or doing anything strenuous, it could even just be taking a walk on your terrace or in a park, dancing, riding a cycle, walking your dog, playing a sport or even just cleaning your house. Find the type of exercise that resonates with you the most and include it into your schedule.
3. Take frequent breaks
While taking breaks seems like an obvious one, it is often overlooked by many. We get caught up in the many meetings we attend, reading emails or taking calls and forget to take a moment to breathe. If possible, switch off your phone and laptop and take a break from everything. Make this moment better by making yourself a cup of tea or doing anything that relaxes you. One of the best ways to take breaks is by adding several short breaks throughout your day rather than just one long break. It could also mean taking a day off from work if you really need it.
Also Read : 8 Things to do with loved ones during lockdown
4. Digital downtime is a must
How much time is too much screen time? These days without even realising we end up spending a lot of time on our digital devices. With WFH being a regular, the time spent on screens has increased even more. That combined with being at our laptops for work, watching TV and streaming movies on online platforms means that we spend a large portion of our lives connected to the digital world. Switching off your devices for an hour a day and getting some screen-free self-care time in can help relax and recharge you. It can also help you sleep better if you include this screen-free time just before you get to bed.
5. Get some fresh air
Lockdown self-care ideas like this one is an easy tip to factor into your day. It could be something small like standing on your balcony or terrace and taking the fresh air in or something bigger like a trekking trip over the weekend. Not only will the fresh air refresh your mind, but getting some sunlight is said to help improve your mood too. If you can, start your day outside by going on a short walk before you settle down with work or household chores.
6. Declutter & organise your space
Whether it is redoing your closet space and organising your things more carefully or vacuuming and mopping your house, decluttering your home is a definite mood-booster. Without realising it, living in the middle of a chaotic home can make us feel even more stressed out than we would normally be. Being in a neat and clean space will not only make finding things easier and your everyday routine quicker, but it will also relax your mind.
7. Keep in touch
One of the best self-care tips for our emotional wellness is staying connected with loved ones. Reach out to family and friends – anyone with whom you can share your thoughts and feelings with. Instead of just giving them a call, you can try different ways of interacting with the important people in your life. If you’re not in lockdown along with them (or even if you are), try game nights, movie nights, virtual dinners, online workout sessions and other fun ways to stay connected.
8. Eat well
We all know the many benefits that comes with healthy eating. Eating well goes beyond just getting the proper vitamins and nutrients your body needs. It also can act as a mood-booster, help you sleep better, leave you feeling less fatigued and improve your overall well-being. Eating a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables (including the green, leafy ones), whole grains and lean proteins is vital in getting the right meal in every time. Cut out processed foods and oils where possible. But remember, there’s no harm in eating your favourite treats once in a while. The key is in balancing your diet rather than giving up any of the foods you like.
