I’m reporting to you live from my couch, which I’ve been using as my workplace a little more often than I’d like to admit recently. Like many of you, I’m diligently fulfilling my duty of staying home during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The world is in a crazy place right now, and if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed , stressed or just super hazy – you are definitely not alone. I for one just ruined a not-so-cheap pan (given to my boyfriend by his grandma) by burning oatmeal in it, and I 100% blame it on my quarantine brain fog.

We’re all anxiously waiting to see what the future holds, and what the new normal will look like. During uncertain times like these, practicing a whole lot of self-care and compassion is not only necessary, but non-negotiable.

That’s why today I’m sharing some of my self-care recommendations to help you through this period, as well as some of your own tips!

 

Some self-care tips from me to you 💌


Check-in with yourself & others

In times like these it’s important to stay in touch with how you’re feeling by checking in with yourself regularly throughout the day.

Whenever stress or overwhelm starts to kick in, make it a habit to ask yourself the following question: What would feel really good right now? Then go do that thing – whether it’s making a nice cup of tea, calling a friend or taking a nap. If you have pressing duties that you absolutely can’t get away from, make it a point to schedule whatever you’re craving for later in the day.

Also make sure you’re checking in with loved ones on a regular basis. Especially when you’re struggling or feeling off, getting out of your own head and talking to someone else can do wonders. Chances are they need it as much as you do!


Keep a sense of normalcy

For many of us, being at home offers unprecedented freedom. This can be both a blessing and a curse. As appealing as it might be to wake up whenever the heck you want and spend the work day in your PJ’s, it might not be the best thing for you mentally or physically.

I highly recommend cultivating a routine to help you keep a sense of normalcy and stay sane. Try waking up at the same time every day, and actually get ready. You don’t have to go all out – I’ve been thoroughly enjoying going bare-face lately – but some proper skin care and a cute outfit goes a long way. ✨

If you need some inspo, I love how this girl split up her quarantine routine into different phases, such as doing something for the soul, something for the body, something for the heart, etc.


Use a bounce-back checklist

This is a practice I learned from YouTuber MuchelleB, and something I reach for anytime I start to feel ‘meh’. This simple self-care checklist will help you make sure you’re taking care of your basic needs, and it’s life-changing. 📋

Whenever you feel off, simply go through each item. Once you find a need you haven’t been fulfilling properly, act accordingly. This is the list I use, but I highly recommend adapting it to what works for you!

  • Have you eaten a nutritious meal? → make food
  • Have you had enough water? → fill up a big bottle, add some lemon
  • Have you had enough sleep? → take a nap
  • Are your surroundings clean? → do a 10 min tidy
  • Are you clean? → shower
  • Are you put together? → get dressed, put on some lipstick
  • Have you moved your body? → do a yoga flow or take a walk outside
  • Have you spoken to another human? → text or call someone
  • Are you feeling ashamed or guilty? → journal with self-compassion
  • Is a task hovering over you? → take a tiny step towards completing it
  • Have you accomplished a task recently? → do a simple task


I recommend keeping this checklist in a place where you can easily refer back to it. I personally keep mine in Notion, but a bullet journal would also work very well.


Make your down-time sacred

When you do everything at home, the lines between work and down-time can quickly become very blurry.

I highly recommend creating structure and balance in your day by having a fixed start-up and clock-out time for work. That means no answering emails or checking on projects outside of that time period. If possible, also try to designate different areas for work and play in your home.

Doing this will not only help you protect your down-time so you can properly chill out, but also help you focus better during work. Win-win! 💪


Disconnect

As we’re all fully aware, the internet is obsessed with COVID-19 right now. Open up any social media app or news outlet, and you‘ll be bombarded with all the latest updates.

Staying in-the-know can make us feel more in control, but this constant wave of information also keeps anxiety and negativity at an all-time high. If you want to stay informed, I recommend picking one trustworthy source that you check once per day at most.

I also blocked my social media in the morning, which has been great for starting my day on a happy note. 🌞 If you’re looking for more positivity and calm in your Instagram feed, here are some accounts I’ve been following:

  • @cabinporn – just a bunch of cabins I wish I was quarantining in right now.
  • @monalogue – this incredible account will make you want to buy a cottage and escape to the English countryside.
  • @covidgoodnews – the only COVID-19 content that is allowed to live on my feed.
  • @heyamberrae – when it comes to feelings and figuring out how to deal with them, this lovely lady is my go-to.

Spend some time journaling

You’ve heard time and time again that journaling is one of the most beneficial habits to get into, but it’s during tough times like these that this practice really proves its merit.

Putting your thoughts and feelings onto paper helps you work through whatever you’re facing and clears your mind. It’s also a very therapeutic way to document this unique experience in your life. ✍

If like me, you like to journal with a bit more guidance, here are a few prompts you could write about:

  • How do I feel about what’s happening in the world? How am I reacting to the situation?
  • What have I learned about my values through this experience?
  • What do I need right now? Am I fulfilling those needs?
  • What do I feel grateful for?
  • What positive things have come out of this situation?
  • What am I going to take away from this experience moving forward?
  • How can I be kind to myself during these times?
  • What do I want to change when this is over?
  • What am I excited for when this is over?

I asked you to tell me your self-care tips, and here’s what you said 💬

“Workouts at home – I really enjoy using Fitness Blender, which is a YouTube channel as well as their own website. They have an extensive variety of videos which keeps things fresh, and their format works really well for me. 😊 Also trying new recipes & doing my skincare routine!” – @daphnekchen

“5 minute daily mental health check-ins. I personally keep it simple but intentional. I find a quiet spot (usually in my bedroom because I am quarantining with my family) and I assess my day, my emotions, my attitude, etc. I ask myself questions like: Did I do anything to better myself today? Did I react out of love or out of stress today? Is there anything I can do better tomorrow? What am I grateful for? Sitting with my thoughts has been effective for me so far, but I am also super interested in combining my check-ins with a daily journaling habit.” – @nataliehettmakesthings

“Running 4x a week and started learning watercolor. 🌻” – @compassionate_universe

“Journaling, walking, and setting strict work and rest hours to keep it all balanced. I’ve also been working out a lot more often– my favorites are Yoga with Adriene or Barre3 on YouTube. I also use the Nike Training Club app because there’s a variety of exercises for various levels targeting different muscle groups. The app is free. Also, people can try different workout challenge videos, such as dancing videos. They may make you feel silly but it’s fun to do something new and different from time to time! ” -@academic.eve

“Additional therapy sessions and making sure I pack my office away every evening.” – @inderpreetkthind

“I’ve been organizing one area of my room / the house each day, taking the time to declutter a ton (e.g. camera roll, laptop files, closet, playlists) and making it a point to reach out to at least one friend each week for a FaceTime. ” – @nataliehettmakesthings

“Allowing myself to do nothing when I feel less motivated and painting to calm my mind!” – @creativithee