This is indeed a difficult time for everyone, no matter which part of the planet you reside. Amid everything happening around us, we tend to forget self-care. We need to build self-care into our daily life and day-to-day activities. All the things we do to take care of our self will help manage our stress. By taking good care of ourselves, we will be better equipped to take care of others. Below are some self-care ideas that you may find worth reading. I originally compiled these tips for my clients- but I feel that this might help more than just those I work with. Try whatever speaks to you.
- Meditate – Even a five-minute meditation can calm your mind and body. It will positively increase your focus on the things that matters most to you. Try a five-minute meditation on your own or do an Internet search for a guided meditation. App options include Insight Timer, which is free, and Headspace, which offers 10 free sessions.
- Deep Breathing– Taking deep breaths will allow you to concentrate your focus and bring you back to the matters at hand each time your thoughts drift away. Relieve your anxieties in the moment by paying attention to your breathing and noticing if you are OK right now, with no thoughts of the past or future. Remind yourself of winning strategies you used in the past to get through difficult times.
- Pray– For those who believe in religion or divinity of any sort, you might find peace in praying as it possesses healing powers. No matter which religion you believe in, pray to the divine source of power.
- Complete pending chores– clean out your garage, or a closet, drawer, shelf or de-clutter your desk or a room. Feeling organized helps you feel in control.
- Re-establish lost connections– Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while and enjoy catching up. FaceTime or video chat with one or more family members, friends or colleagues.
- Start a journal – pick a subject to write about each time you make an entry. For example:
- Name 10 things for which you are grateful.
- Make a list of short-term goals.
- Name some internal and external resources you have at hand to help you through the pandemic.
- Share something that has made you proud or happy in the past two weeks.
- Listen to music– write down a playlist of favorite songs from your past and listen to them.
- Bath– take a warm bath
- Read about something other than the virus
- Exercise– five minutes of exercise will provide you a new wave of freshness.
- Digital Detox- start a digital detox by leaving your phone or electronic gadget alone for a while
Syed Masiul Hasan
Toronto
