2020 has taught us a lot about ourselves, but perhaps one of the greatest takeaways from the year that has defined uncertainty is this: self-care is not self-indulgent. In fact, it is essential for our overall well-being. As we continue to navigate the stormy seas of a global health crisis, it can be easy to give up on ourselves and lose our sense of fulfillment. But the bottom line is that honoring what makes you happy can significantly improve your connection with others and yourself.
While self-care looks different to different people, here are a few ideas to help balance yourself during this unprecedented time:
Get Outside
While options outside the home may be limited as temperatures drop, escaping the comfort of your home can improve both your mental and physical health. Not only can fresh air and a little sunshine help restore your energy, but it can also strengthen your body’s defense against a series of diseases. That’s because direct exposure on the skin from the sun’s UV rays helps to manufacture Vitamin D in the body, which helps us fight off depression, cancer, and osteoporosis. Vitamin D also plays a significant role in mood stability and helps to support brain and heart health. Additionally, a change of scenery can help us see new places and evoke new ideas which can help alleviate stress and improve our self-awareness.Take a Digital Detox
Unplugging from your email and social media even for an hour at a time can help bring you back to the “here and now” and away from negative news stories and the continuous flood of comparisons that social media activates. Setting social “time-outs” into your daily schedule can allow you to recharge and focus on what you need in that moment.Declutter Your Space
Studies suggest that messy areas of our homes and personal spaces can lead to elevated stress and fatigue. In fact, it has been reported that individuals who frequently describe their homes as cluttered or disorganized have higher levels of cortisol in their bodies, leading to chronic stress. On the other hand, tidying up anything from a stack of papers to an overly neglected spare closet can help us rid whatever may be crowding our lives and minds as well. You may also find comfort in revising the blueprints for furniture placement in the home. Rearranging furniture can help bring a sense of newness to an existing space, allowing for a better flow of creative energy.Bring Out Your Inner Child
“The opposite of play is not work, the opposite of play is depression” – Dr. Stuart Brown, author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. As we grow older, the burdens of daily life can take up most of our time that was once spent on play and creativity. To balance your work/life balance, it’s imperative that you channel your inner child and do things that bring you joy. Whether it’s building a fort in your living room, constructing a snowman in the backyard, having a dance party in your kitchen, or unwinding on the couch with your favorite comedy on the screen, finding time for play can diminish daily stress and allow us to be present with ourselves and cherish the moment, as significant or insignificant as it may be.Do What Makes You Feel Cozy
Comfort looks and feels a little different to each of us, but one thing is for certain, a warm and inviting atmosphere can benefit our emotional wellbeing in a variety of ways. From the warmth of an oversized sweater to the softness of a plush blanket, surrounding yourself with comfortable objects can promote a sense of safety and wellbeing, especially as the days grow darker and colder. Other objects that can help instill a feeling of comfort and warmth include scented candles, a hot home-cooked meal or hearty soup, an Epsom salt bath, and warm lights throughout the home. Times of heightened stress can bring on feelings of loneliness and having items in your home that evoke feelings of warmth and snugness can help you feel encompassed with love and abundance.
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