Remember the adage about the airplane oxygen mask? Well, the same applies for caring for yourself and others. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity, particularly in times of high stress. If you believe that pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion (as I often did/do throughout my life) will lead to a great reward, you are woefully wrong.
It is challenging to function optimally and to live your best life without self-care. Irrespective of age or stage of life, regardless of the extent and breadth of your responsibilities, self-care should be a priority. Oscar Wilde made a good point when he stated, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” Self-care is, indeed, an act of self-love. Some see it also as a necessary part of human growth and evolution, as remarked by Vironika Tugaleva, an award-winning author and life coach: “Learning to love yourself is like learning to walk—essential, life-changing, and the only way to stand tall.”
Taking care of yourself need not be time-consuming, expensive, or extravagant. It may as simple as a brief daily meditation, having a gratitude practice, or making sure to take a few long and deep breaths every hour. Some simple, effective, and basically free means of self-care include (source: nomadsoulzz.com):
-Talk a walk
-Declutter or clean a room
-Play a game with (your) kids.
-Cuddle with pets
-mindfully water the plants and say some kind words to them whilst you’re at it.
-learn something new on YouTube
-Follow a free online yoga class.
-Meditate (in silence).
-soak your hands and/or feet soak in warm water—give yourself a mani-/pedi
-Dim the lights and listen to some music without distraction.
-enjoy a soothing cup of tea (or coffee).
-Take a power nap.
-Light up some incense and enjoy how the scent spreads throughout your house.
-Write down 3 things you are grateful for.
-Keep a gratitude journal;
-Follow a free tutorial online.
-Burn (a) candle(s) and reflect on the flicker
-Read a book.
-#goals: write your goals for the following year
-Facetime, Skype, or Zoom with friends and family
-Go through some old pictures and rejoice the beautiful memories.
-Draw, paint, doodle, photograph, sing, dance, knit, play an instrument, design, upgrade an old piece of clothing… Whatever it takes to spark your creative soul!
-Throw away or donate 5 things you no longer need or use.
-Sketch out a personal self-care routine for yourself. Make a small checklist of self-care activities you love to do and schedule them!
-Watch a (free) documentary online.
-Go to bed on time—before 10:30 pm for the most restful sleep.
-Switch off your phone for an hour or more.
-Write a letter to your future self.
-Take a good shower and fully moisturize your body afterward.
-Do more research on a topic you have interest in.
-Learning a new skill
-Make a vision board.
-Focus on forgiveness.
-Dress up for no reason.
-Stretch.
-Exercise
-Enjoy the sunrise or sunset.
-Help someone in need.
-Listen to a podcast: I recommend this one, Forever FAB.
If you have the resources to indulge in more extensive self-care, have at it. Examples of aspirational self-care include:
Take a vacation
Go on a road trip
Go on a yoga retreat
Diffuse essential oils
Get a massage
Enjoy a spa day
Take yourself out for breakfast or dinner when restaurants re-open
Dress up—and go somewhere or nowhere
Buy yourself something new (and within your budget)
Buy a plant
Donate to charity (time and/or funds)
Work with a life coach
Learn something new—a language, a skill, a hobby
In times of social distancing, I recommend these online activities (this is a partial list of my favorites):
Yoga: Kula Yoga Project (also offers digital classes) and AloMoves (app)
Pilates: Erika Bloom Pilates (also offers digital classes)
Trampolean: The ness (also offers digital classes)
Aerobic release: The Class by Taryn Toomey (also offers digital classes)
Personal training with David Kirsch (also offers digital classes)
Meditation: Insight Timer app
Dress up and workout at home: Mirror: mirror.co
Learn: coursera.com
In the interest of self-care, there are also ways that you may disrupt your immune system when you thought you may have been helping it (source: draxe.com):
-too much sitting: a sedentary lifestyle puts you at risk not only for weight gain but also for reduced immune function;
-negativity: avoid pessimistic thoughts, people, and situations. They will not only bring down your mindset and mood, but also your immunity;
-fear: know the difference between the fear of protecting yourself and the fear of self-sabotage and of that which you cannot change which may help you to evolve; discern and manage it;
-over-exercising: if you are training rigorously, but your performance deteriorates, you may be over-doing it. Over-training can also adversely affect your immune system.
-loneliness: solitude is sometimes helpful to help us to refresh, recalibrate and gain perspective. Extended or prolonged periods of loneliness may indirectly negatively affect the immune system.
Stay hydrated.
Stay informed.
Stay realistically positive.
Honor your temple.
Stay nourished.
Keep exercising.
Be hopeful.
Be loving.
Protect your health.
Help protect others.
Do your part.
Take care of yourself.
Help take care of those in need and less fortunate.
Be grateful.
Be safe.
Stay well-- inside and out.