During this period of quarantine, it can be hard to stick with healthy habits that keep us feeling our best. Self-care has never been more important than right now. Before we dive in, let’s explain what self-care really is. When we picture self-care we typically think of bubble baths, face masks, or a mani-pedi. While these are great ways to take care of ourselves, they aren’t always the most ideal. By definition, self-care is the act of caring for oneself (Merriam-Webster). Essentially self-care is completing tasks that support you emotionally, mentally, and physically.

With these trying times ahead of us it is important to address the impact this will have on mental health. Experts have begun to address the issue of anxiety during quarantine with Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre stating, “Prolonged quarantine or social isolation (without compensatory methods in place) will exacerbate anxiety, depression and a sense of helplessness.” Though these feelings of anxiety are normal, there are ways to make the symptoms less severe. Some ways to help manage these emotions are, staying in contact (digitally), exercise, meditating (Headspace, Simple Habit, Calm, or free YouTube meditations are a great way to meditate), and prioritizing sleep (a great way to do this is setting an alarm 30 minutes before you plan on going to sleep to stay committed). Keep in mind that habits like these take time to develop, so be patient with yourself. Slowly adding a habit every couple of weeks is a great way to incorporate self-care into your routine.  Overall, taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health during this time is crucial.