Self-care has been a buzzword for a long time now. But, the meaning of the word has changed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lately, self-care is less focused on trying to save time for ourselves in our busy world and, instead, has become more about keeping our bodies and minds healthy during confinement.
Now that you’ve spent so much time at home, your priorities are shifting while the world constantly changes around you. So, what can you do to take care of yourself and stay grounded? Our team has a few suggestions.
1. Scheduling Time for Creativity and Recreation
Creativity and recreation can have a significant effect on our mental health and our energy throughout the day. But while we’re home, it’s easy to fall into a rut. If you find yourself bingeing Netflix, working more hours than usual, or becoming hyper-focused on cleaning, take a break. Set aside time for yourself each day to engage in the creative activity of your choosing. You are never too busy or too old to inspire yourself.
Here are a few examples for inspiration:
- Take a virtual trip to a museum
- Paint or draw
- Build a model airplane
- Play a board game
- Learn an instrument
2. Stepping Away for Breaks
To prevent burn out, try scheduling breaks to step away from your work. Even small breaks (10 to 15 minutes) will help you increase your productivity throughout the day and help you keep your energy up. If you’re worried that you won’t get back to work, set a timer to help you stay on track or write your schedule down in a journal.
3. Discovering New Hobbies
Do you have a hobby you’ve always wanted to explore? Now might be the time. With an influx of online classes, you can learn anything from the comfort of your home. You and friends can even take up a new hobby together via Zoom calls.
4. Taking Time to Catch Up
You don’t have to use your extra time at home to be productive on new projects. Maybe what would help you the most is just having time to catch up on the day-to-day you feel behind on: cleaning, lawn care, meal prep, pet care, etc. Taking time to get caught up can help you feel lighter and more balanced.
5. Indulging in a Subscription Box
It can be fun to treat yourself with a little indulgence once in a while. Find a subscription service that caters to your interests and sign up! You’ll love getting monthly gifts at your doorstep.
6. Keeping a Daily Routine
From the beginning of the pandemic, every work-from-home article shouted the need for a daily routine. There’s a reason for that. As you’ve likely seen during your time at home, the days when you have a schedule go much smoother than when you don’t. Do what you can to set a daily schedule that works for you. If it helps, write the schedule down and hang it up somewhere where you can reference it frequently.
7. Socializing with Friends and Family
Technology has made it easy to connect with loved ones via video call. Set up virtual hangouts with your friends and family to stay connected. You can add elements based on your interests, such as playing games, having a happy hour, or watching a movie together.
8. Focusing on Healthy Foods and Exercise
The snack cabinet is close-by at all times while you’re home. It can be tempting to eat more junk food or to sit on the couch more. By focusing on healthy snacks and daily exercises, you can help your body and mind stay balanced.
9. Limiting Social Media and News
Try to limit the time you spend looking at social media and watching the news. In times like these, we can find it difficult to have separation from the situation. Social media is a useful tool, but too much of it can have negative effects on your emotional health.
10. Having Realistic Expectations
You are only human, and this is a challenging situation. Do what you can to take care of yourself, but don’t beat yourself up if you feel like you’re falling behind. We’re all in this together, and we’re all just doing our best.
Productivity is important, but if you want to give your all where it’s needed most—loved ones, health, work—you must make yourself a priority. At Southwestern Investment Group, we are people-focused. We want you to live the best version of your life, even, and maybe especially, during such challenging times.
Keeping your financial well-being in check is a big part of self-care! You don’t need to add financial stress and worry to your plate. Contact us today to discuss your financial health.
