Good morning! xx
Wether you’re struggling with mental health prior to this traumatizing event or not, Self-care and managing your mental health can be especially hard in times like this.. yes, even if you are in country like mine where we are slowly rebuilding a new normal and letting go of some restrictions over time –It’s personally worst on my anxiety..-
Related; Mental health & Isolation/Quarantine, How I deal with my anxiety.
Disclaimer; of course, remember that we aren’t all build the same, thus what works for me or someone else might not be the best for you personally. We also aren’t health professionals and you should always keep your own health in mind.
My general approach for managing my own depression and anxiety has always been more toward isolating myself, as of which we know isn’t exactly the healthiest to do… but given the current times, we don’t really have any other choice, as we can’t really do much nor go anywhere in current times. Of course, this list will also work when we aren’t in times of pandemic anymore.
❤︎ Take a bubble bath or just a “regular” bath
To be honest i’m not a fan of taking baths, I like showers so much more.. but sometimes it is needed. Working on your hygiene works wonder on your mood; I’ve done either relaxing and reading in the bathtube, or even if you just wanna sit then for a 10mins to clean yourself and get out without any more fuss — it still gives you the little boost that you need. For a little plus, I’ve opted to cream my whole body afterward to give it some more love.
❤︎ Taking a walk / Sit outside for a while
When the panic comes and you seem to suffocate in open air, I feel that the outside air ease myself quicker.. just feeling the breeze on my face “fools” my brain into thinking it is breathing easier. In the spring or Summertime, one of my favorite thing to do is lay on my porch to stop and stare at the stars for a little while.
❤︎ Listen to music
Of course, music is an integral part of this list! Can be paired with any other points, or on it’s own and just relaxing and closing your eyes. Again, I don’t follow “the rules” and tend to go towards music that relate to how i’m feeling 😅
Here’s my usual playlist.
❤︎ Reach out and talk to someone
It can be a stranger, a friend, a long-lost friend, anyone! If you are going through a dark time, which is even amplifiated by all this things going on, it’s really important to talk about what you’re feeling and not keeping it all to yourself. If you have or can get one, I’d also suggest talking to a professional; although that can be specifically harder within quarantine.
❤︎ Getting lost in another world
Picking either through books, video games, or any other thing for that purpose is again generally what I prefer to do. Gaming has been one of my outlet since i’m quite young; my favorite ones right now for that purpose has been Animal Crossing New Horizon, Zelda Breath of the Wild & Sims 4.
❤︎ Writing
Another one of my outlet when i’m not feeling myself is writing, I prefer to write on paper.. but then I don’t get actual “feedback” on it, so I tend to use my twitter for that purpose 😅 Words has always just popped into my head, and just contantly keep going and going; the only thing that can ease them to settle down is actually writing them down (which is mostly what happens with my posts aswell!) — inconveniantly happens alot when i’m trying to sleep, of course.
Self-care can englobe quite alot of stuff; generally taking care of your body, your mental health, or yourself as a whole — although I mostly went over the “mental health” part of it in this post, as it’s what i’ve been struggling with myself this past time. This list has been without saying the obvious of taking a step-back on social medias.. as we all know it’s ALWAYS a good idea to do so frequently; and I do believe it can be even more important nowadays as it seems that people are only and always talking about the corona everywhere.. and I do need a break of that over-stimulation, I can’t hear about it anymore.
What are your tips for Self-care in Quarantine?
I definitely miss not having a bath in this apartment!! I used to love spending an hour soaking in the hot water (with epsom salts) after a really long day or a tough work out at the gym, and read a book!!
Great post!!
Thank you!
Oh yeah, that’s my mom 😂 almost every night. Although i’ve been prioritizing baths recently too