The coronavirus has changed the world forever. Never again will be in a large crowd of people and not worry just a little bit about catching some disease. We will all be a little less carefree and a lot more stressed. Taking care of yourself has never been more important. But, what does self-care actually mean? Is it really that important? And how do we do it?

What is Self-Care?

When we mention self-care, we are talking about engaging in purposeful activities used to promote our psychological and physical health. It can be especially difficult in times of social distancing when most activities (and people) are off-limits. Self-care is often confused with “having fun” but the two are not the same thing. For example, going out with your friends and drinking a 6-pack of beer may be a good time but it is not necessarily good for your health. Ideally, self-care is both pleasurable and good for you.

Is It Really That Important?

In a word, yes. Self-care allows us to feel good emotionally and function at an optimal level. When performed consistently, it improves mental acuity, mood, and physical fitness. And despite its name, it isn’t just a selfish practice. Think about how much better you get along with others when you are at your best. Although self-care certainly helps in the moment, it has additional long-term benefits. Consider it an inoculation against present and future stress. And who couldn’t use some help with stress these days?

How Do I Practice Self-Care?

The following five behaviors are essential to self-care:

Sleep

Almost nothing is more critical than sleep. Getting a good’s night rest heals the body and the mind. Without it, all facets of human functioning suffer. Unfortunately, the average American does not get enough rest. That is either because they are not prioritizing sleep or they have some sort of difficulty achieving it. Practicing proper sleep hygiene and emphasizing its importance will help you reach your self-care goals. The one good thing about the coronavirus lock-down is that it gives us all the opportunity to sleep more. If you aren’t getting at least seven hours of sleep a night it is a problem.

Set Limits

We lead busy lives with loads of responsibilities. There is also considerable pressure to meet social obligations and other people’s expectations. However, overburdening yourself is sure to lead to increased stress and decreased productivity. Everyone needs some down-time to decompress and regroup. Don’t be afraid to say “no”.

This is especially important during the coronavirus pandemic. You want to be there for other people but you have to prioritize yourself and your family. In addition, you have to say no to a lot of activities that might bring you and your children joy in order to stay healthy This is one of those instances when you have to endure some short-term pain for long-term gain.

Exercise

Getting some form of exercise is paramount to self-care but you don’t need to go to the gym for hours. Any type of movement will help. If you have been out of the exercise game for a while, start by taking a walk. If possible, exercise outside in a natural setting. Being in nature has been shown to help alleviate stress and improve physical health. 

Luckily, getting outside and walking is one of the few activities you can do during the pandemic. Most trails remain open for hiking and biking. If all else fails, you can always perform some bodyweight exercises from the comfort of your own home. Although you may feel like being a couch potato, being stuck at home is no excuse to avoid exercise.

Healthy Eating

When your parents said: “you are what you eat” you probably laughed it off. Who knew that it was—at least partially—true? The physical benefits of a healthy diet are well documented. What is less well known is how healthy eating increases your emotional health. In order to improve your diet, it may take some tweaks in your lifestyle. For example, it is much easier to eat healthily if you plan your meals ahead of time and make them at home.

There are some possible benefits to the coronavirus. During the pandemic, you won’t be going out to eat. This will make it easier to create healthy meals at home. And an added benefit of healthy eating is to build up your immunity. Eating sugar and junk food reduces your immunity and makes you more susceptible to catching an illness. Even if you have been exposed to the coronavirus, a strong immunity may keep you from becoming ill.

Fun

Getting pleasure out of life is crucial to self-care. You can’t be happy if you never have a good time. And you are not healthy if you are never happy. How you have fun is a personal choice. Some people like to hang out with friends whereas others like to watch a movie.

Of course, you may have to tweak how you have fun due to coronavirus restrictions. But you can still video chat with friends and be social. It is also a great opportunity for quality family time since you are all stuck together. Whatever the case, make sure you are appreciating the joys of life. 

Schedule Your Self-Care

Self-care is too important to be optional. Taking steps to maintain your physical and psychological health is no less essential than going to work or getting groceries. In that vein, it may be necessary to schedule self-care into your life in the same way as you do with other responsibilities. Taking self-care seriously may require a change in lifestyle; it is not just a temporary fix for what ails you.

You may be asking, how do I practice self-care when I am stuck at home with other people 24/7? Well, we tend to be able to carve out time for things that are important to us. Tell those people in your house that you need some time alone. Or ask your partner to watch your kids if you have little ones. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Do yourself a favor and practice self-care today.