The coronavirus pandemic can feel overwhelming and stressful for a lot of people – with new information, being isolated at home, adjusting to working from home, practicing social distancing, and caring for yourself and your family.
We at Dallas Dental Wellness have experienced being self-quarantined at home. Just like you, we are not used to it. As we adjust to this new normal by staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus, we now have the unexpected gift of more space and time to care more for ourselves. Self-care is just what we all need in these uncertain times.
Self-care can mean different things to various people, but essentially, it means doing anything that makes you feel good – physically, mentally, and spiritually. This could be taking a bath, lighting a candle, caring for your skin, or meditating. Now is a great time to experiment and discover what works for you.
If you don’t have a self-care at home routine, any of our recommendations below is a great place to start.
1. Find time to enjoy nature. Watch a sunrise or sunset, or simply appreciate something in nature that you were too busy to notice back then.
2. Stay calm. Using techniques like meditation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises can help.
3. Start a journal. You can choose a subject to write about in every entry, like making a list of goals, jotting down things for which you are grateful, or writing about your present challenges.
4. Get in touch with someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
5. Sleep 30 minutes earlier than usual. Now is a great time to be well-rested.
6. Declutter your home.
7. Go online or consult a cookbook for a recipe you haven’t tried out yet.
8. Get rid of things that you don’t really use.
9. Unsubscribe from junk mails.
10. Make a list of your favorite songs from the past, create a playlist, and listen it.
11. Make a wholesome breakfast and practice mindful eating – savoring every bite while taking your time, without reading or any other interruptions.
12. Listen to a podcast about a topic that interests you.
13. Unfollow social accounts or social groups that don’t bring you joy.
14. Try meditation. If you’re a beginner, here are some great places to start:
15. Write a mantra of a comforting phrase, and say it daily. It might be phrases like “All will be well,” “I am calm,” or “I am happy and healthy.”
These simple tips from your Dallas Dentist on practicing self-care at home can help you become more grounded and resilient during these times. What’s your favorite tip?
Sources:
Michael, R. “What Self-Care Is — and What It Isn’t,” PsychCentral, https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/.
“5 Ways to Use Your Journal For Self Care,” Simply Fiercely, https://www.simplyfiercely.com/5-ways-to-use-your-journal-for-self-care/.
“Why Meditation Is An Important Component Of Self-Care,” Huffpost, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-meditation-is-an-impo_b_10381578.
