This quarantine season, it is of great importance for us to take the time to nurture and care for ourselves for it enables us to move from stressful situations to self-care solutions. Here are some things that we can look into:
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE. If you’re tired even without activity, maybe it’s because you’re not using your body enough. You’re becoming lethargic. Your body is getting used to non-movement. When it remains in that mode for too long then even the simplest movements can feel tiresome. It can lead you to suffer from body aches, joint pain, and all other bodily complaints. Listen to your body. How does it feel when you’re becoming lethargic? In some ways, we are similar to the items we have at home. When we don’t use them, they turn rusty.
Perhaps moving at the time of quarantine is something that you’re too lazy to do. However, it is essential to keep on moving. Start stretching. When you move your body and choose to be functional, you are able to remain agile.
Eat your fruits and vegetables. While it is tempting to binge-eat, choose to nourish your body with healthy food.
Finally, physical self-care is also a great time to rest, to get those extra hours of Zzz’s, and to take a deep pause from the hustle and bustle of life. Always choose to do something that your body will thank you for.
MENTAL SELF-CARE. Cultivate a positive mindset. It is a choice you have to continuously make. Don’t wallow in pity. Resist the urge to moan your day away because positivity in itself is a self-care solution.
Play! Re-connect with your inner child, and return to those things that used to make you giggle in glee. Whether it was watercolor, playing with bubbles, or coloring – make time for play. This is the perfect time to go back to your hobbies and expand your interests because you are so much more than your day job. It is not being childish; it is nurturing the child in you! This is the best time to do it again and again! Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
When you are mentally healthy, you’ll find yourself catching your thoughts. This is becoming more aware of them than become overwhelmed by them. When you take the time to be more mindful of how you care for yourself- whether it is through a 10-minute power nap or a break to the bathroom, it allows for thoughts to come clearer.
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE. When you spend time to understand your emotions, you empower yourself to face the issues that you have left unresolved. Self care also comes in the form of being honest with yourself. It is learning how to say no to people and situations when you feel that you cannot deal with at the moment.
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE. It is connecting and surrendering yourself to the one who made you. The experience is freeing. Spiritual self-care is caring for your mind, body, and spirit. When you care for your body, you thank God for your physical wellness. When you don’t let negative thoughts consume you and instead adopt an attitude of gratitude, that, too, is spiritual self-care.
Learn how to pause, and do something for yourself. Pause and pray. Pause and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. There is so much to appreciate about the blue sky, the chirping birds, and the refreshing trees. You’ll never run out of blessings to count if you know how to pause, count, and thank God for all your graces. Praise God for every little thing. When you become mindful of all your blessings, spiritual self-care becomes a beautiful form praise and thanksgiving.
Allow me to wrap this post with a quote from my book, The Beauty of 40: “We need to learn to take care of ourselves so we can have more to give to those we truly love.”
To be able to healthily and effectively deal with the people around you, especially your loved ones, you have to resort to self-care solutions. Keep in mind that self-care is something you have to constantly choose and do for yourself because no one can do it for you but you. Your self-care is of primary importance as it will make you the whole person that God made you to be. — WITH PAU DE VERA