The Importance of Self-Care During the Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything that we are used to dealing with. From rolling lockdowns, social distancing, working from home, losing jobs, a failing economy, there is so much fear, uncertainty, stress and more, that we are all going through.

Self-care is most important in times like these. Self-care can be defined as any activity that we do deliberately, in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Self-care helps to reduce stress, anxiety and illnesses, also it helps us to form better relationships with those around us, and ourselves.

Ideas On How To Start Your Self-Care Routine

The first thing to realize is, everyone’s self-care process and routine is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all option that you can blindly follow. Explore as many options as possible and then follow what feels good for you. What you can keep in mind is –

• Self-care is an active choice; you need to make time for it in your schedule and tell others about it if it makes it more real. Pay attention to what you do, why you do it and how it makes you feel.
• Create a list of things that you will make an active effort to stop doing, this list will include things you have realised you don’t like and don’t want to do. Example – no checking emails at night, no attending gatherings you don’t like, no taking calls/ responding to texts during meals, no phones in bed etc.
• Make an effort to follow a healthy, balanced diet.
• Do things that help you get enough sleep. You need at least 7-8 hours of good, quality sleep each night.
• Since exercise is good for emotional health and physical health, make it a point to exercise daily. Start off with simple exercises like this, and then settle with something that you enjoy doing.

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• Keep track of your health, go for check-ups regularly, don’t self-medicate and ignore signs you’re your body sends you.
• Learn to relax, meditate, try some relaxation exercises anytime you feel too stressed out.
• Connect or re-connect with your loved ones, enjoy the time you spend with them.
• Find something to do every day that relaxes you and improves your mood. This could be anything from gardening, to talking a walk, to cooking, to playing with your pet. Spend at least 30 minutes a day doing this.
• Look for opportunities to laugh, the best way is to arrange calls with your friends and family and talk. Don’t focus on the news and what’s happening around you, try discussing light topics and have some fun.

• Don’t stress-eat or eat when you are emotional
• Start a journal to keep track of your accomplishments and joys.
• Read or watch something that inspires or excites you.
• Do your part to help our struggling community. Contribute time, money, or resources to those suffering around you.
• Do something creative, draw, write, paint, play an instrument.
• Take a long shower, this will help you relax, and get some ‘me’ time.
• Make your space more ‘you’. Get rid of junk and don’t hoard. Surround your self with things that make you happy and keep you relaxed. Clutter is not good, so clean up regularly.

• Indulge in your self-care, from using face packs, to body scrubs, or painting your nails, to a massage. Do something that you find joy in and that helps you look and feel better.

This lockdown can be a lot of things for us, but let's focus on how we can make the best use of this time. Staying happy and healthy is critical, so if you have never believed in self-care, this is the time to start.

Remember, stay indoors, stay safe and stay positive. If you have any other self-care ideas, drop us a message below. If you're searching for a new house visit NoBroker without going outside.

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