Pandemic Self Care

Let’s start out with the obvious caveats. Will any of these practices solve problems caused by the pandemic? No. Will they help you cope with life now and when it inevitably gets stressful later? Yes.

Taking Breaks

Regular breaks to do nothing or to move will make you feel better especially if you are having a stressful day and feel like you can’t take a break. It’s even more important on those extra frantic days to take a minute to breathe.

Doing Nothing or Less

The most useful practice I’ve developed for dealing with life and the pandemic is leaving ample space for nothing. Sometimes you need to distract yourself from the shiny distractions by doing nothing. It’s a never ending cycle.

Before the pandemic I wasn’t afraid of doing nothing but I did like to be entertained. This is a common practice for most people working full time. It’s one of the reasons you don’t realize the hours are slipping away which is fun occasionally but gets more problematic with regularity.

Everyone enjoys a good binge watch, The Queen’s Gambit anyone, but this overload of content makes my brain fuzzy. I could watch tons of {insert streaming platform of your choice} I choose not to most days. Even though doing nothing can feel scary and unproductive it actually does the opposite. I usually come up with my best ideas when actively doing nothing. Try it. What do you have to lose? Nothing.

Take a Screen Break

No judgment since we are all on screens more than ever. Taking a screen break to go outside or just sit in a patch of sun usually feels better than a few more minutes of scrolling or browsing. All those things on the internet will still be there when you return.

Body movement of your choice

I’m not trying to convince you yoga is magic and a cure all. But every day I do yoga I feel better. I stay consistent in my practice and keep feeling better. Any type of exercise or movement you enjoy works here. Even if it’s only 20 minutes a day.

Take note of your body and mind after you’re done. If you feel better then when you started try to make it a regular practice. I figured out recently that working out and moving my body improves my mental health and any positive side effects on my body are a bonus.

Volunteer

If you have some spare money or time volunteering will help boost your faith in humanity. I did text banking for Biden during a stressful and tumultuous election and it made me feel better to have some genuine connections with people. I also donated gifts through transanta which was an easy way to give back.

Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself and the people you care about. It’s usually the easiest, simplest things that make us feel better. Taking a break, mindful breathing or walking around the block to ground yourself will improve your mood and remind yourself that you are capable of great things.