Due to COVID-19, many Americans are working from home and have likely found themselves stretching their time and energy to balance work and family needs. In doing so, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Your schedule is hectic and ever-changing, but taking time for your own well-being can help you cope with the chaos and continue to thrive through these changes.
In taking care of yourself, you are more able to care for others, and Edutopia explains self-care as encompassing three areas – physical, mental and social care. Here are a few tips to help you practice self-care, and remember it’s important to find what works best for you and fits into your regular routine.
Physical care can mean many things, but let’s focus on the importance of maintaining consistent sleep and exercise routines. Sleep gives your body time to recover from the impacts that daily life has on your body and mind, and regular exercise provides your body with much needed energy to get through each day. If you feel like you’re struggling to keep up, you could try to use a sleep app to help track your sleep patterns or a fitness app to help provide motivation and guidance.
Mental care promotes taking personal time away from work and family responsibilities and taking time for yourself. Solo activities and hobbies can provide much-needed time to recharge and refresh your mind. It’s important to schedule this time of relaxation and personal growth into your routine. You can find activities that calm you or keep your mind active in other ways, such as meditating, learning new crafts, playing games, reading or listening to music or podcasts.
Social care is more important than ever, as social distancing can prevent you from gathering with loved ones in ways you’re accustomed to. Video meetings are a great tool to connect because it allows you to share a smile and other non-verbal cues that can otherwise be lost in a phone or text conversation. Regularly connect with family and friends by scheduling time to virtually visit with them for things like dinner dates, book club meetings or just to talk about your days.
WBTL-0821 (May 20)