The Coronavirus pandemic has brought uncertainty, fear, and unease as people around the world have been encouraged to stay in their homes and practice social distancing to reduce further spread of the virus. Stress and anxiety can snowball at a time like this, especially when your daily routine has been upended and self-quarantine means time away from the family, friends, and colleagues you’re used to seeing on a regular basis.
All we can do, for now, is focus on that which we have control over: taking the best care of ourselves that we can and making the most of the time we’ve been given to reflect, reset, and reconnect with our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Read on for some tips to practice self-care during this time of social distancing, with love from ORA Director of Acupuncture Gabriel Sher, Prima co-founder and COO Laurel Angelica Myers, and Mama Glow. XO
Stop reading about the Coronavirus because it will make the most relaxed person have anxiety. Many cities and news outlets are offering updates via text message or email – consider subscribing to a resource you trust so that you are receiving any necessary new information that will help you stay in the know and free you from hours spent scrolling through social media and reading/watching news stories related to the virus.
Try apps that help with meditation and calm. On Spotify, there are numerous guided meditations available depending on your experience with meditation and what you’re in need of. Calm is a great app for meditation, stress reduction, and improved focus, and is currently offering a free trial. While ORA’s New York City flagship location is temporarily closed, their acupuncturists are available for informative live chats and tele-consultations to support clients.
Use essential oils and candles to make the space you’re in feel refreshed and soothing by activating your sense of smell. Rotating which scents you use will make each day feel new. At ORA, they carry Será’s “Summer in the Woods” candle and Aromatherapy Mist; the lavender, clary sage, and pine smell evokes a fresh, uplifting, and energetic clarity. Vitruvi has a great line of diffusers to use with their wide array of essential oils. Their “Boost” blend combines bergamot, grapefruit, juniper, and lime to help you get your morning started and motivate you to make the most of your day.
Reorganize your closets. Get rid of stuff you don’t need, and take advantage of the hours at home to start your Spring cleaning. Now’s the time to go through those junk drawers you’ve been to busy to clean out. Plus, if you have to stay at home, a clean and organized living space can reduce unnecessary stress and improve productivity.
With your living space tidied, you can then make your home warm and comfortable. Sher suggest you buy soft, comfortable sheets towels and bedding as well as nice lighting and candles. It doesn’t have to feel like you’re “stuck” inside if you focus on designing a space that you enjoy being in, and cozy details enhance any movie marathon or TV series binge. Ettitude‘s bamboo lyocell bedding and pajamas can help induce deeper, comfier sleep (and make the prospect of “Work From Bed” a rather appealing option).
Get in touch with friends you haven’t had time to connect with in the past. Take advantage of video calling. While we might not be able to gather in person, technology makes it easy to see the faces of those we love. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, pick up your phone or computer and video call a friend or loved one, and if working remotely for the first time, use video calling for that too. 85% of communication is non-verbal, and seeing each other’s facial expressions and making eye contact is one of the most important things we can do to stay connected to one another.
Eat well. Prepare your own nice healthy meals and get back to nourishing your body. If you’re used to eating out multiple nights a week or having take out lunches at your desk during work, take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time in your kitchen. For those times when you don’t want to cook or are looking for a nourishing treat, mele shake‘s individually-packaged and plant-based protein powders are perfect to keep stocked in your cabinets. All you need to do is mix one packet with water, and you’ve got a healthy shake that tastes like you’re enjoying dessert!
Take a bath and make it super luxurious. If you have a bathtub in your home, now’s the time to use up all those bath time accessories and add-ins you’ve received as gifts over the year. Allow your skin to be immersed in the warm water while listening to music or reading a good book. With only so many rooms to retreat to in your home, time spent in the bath (especially if that’s not already a part of your routine) is a nice change of scenery and a moment to check in with yourself. We love Prima’s CBD bath gem, which ensures that every bath promotes lasting feelings of relaxation and tranquility.
Try to get exercise and breathe. Myers says “Whether it’s taking a walk, going for a run, or even doing a stationary workout at your home or apartment, getting physical activity is important for keeping your immune system strong, and for getting endorphins flowing that will help with your mood and overall wellbeing.” While gyms and exercise studios are closed, many are offering online classes and meet-ups, and there are a number of great online workout programs and videos available so you can mix up your routine with a new physical activity every time. Caravan Wellness offers a number of exercise videos including pilates, yoga, and core training. They also have multi-day programs to help you establish routine wellness practices.
Above all, be kind to yourself and to others, and remember that everyone is struggling with heightened levels of stress and uncertainty. If we treat each other and ourselves with kindness, patience, and forgiveness, we’ll all be better for it once this moment in time passes.
