If you are anything like to me, these times can be very stressful, lonely and scary.
Here are some tips on how best to practice self-care as not to fall into the rabbit hole of self-sabotage while paying attention to your healthy and emotional needs. These tips come from the heart, from my own experiences and especially from my own reaction to the uncertainty we are collectively dealing with.
Let me start by saying thank you…thank you for allowing me an opportunity to share some of my time home the best way I can…creatively, responsively and compassionately.
Continue your Daily Routine
This is a practice I’ve learned from my 93-year homebound mother-in-law as well as my own grandmother when she was alive. You must keep to a routine especially if you are working from home. By that I mean, get yourself up at your normal time, shower/bathe and GET DRESSED! Each time I visit my mother-in-law, she is showered, lotion appeared, dressed with her hair brushed. If we could, we could put her in the car to take her to any restaurant for lunch. She would only need to grab her coat, purse and keys. Getting up and dressed is key to self-care. I will admit that yesterday I did not practice this tip. I was dressed, but I realized later in the day that I had not showered. This is all a practice. LOL!
This is NOT a Snow Day
Again, if you are anything like me, snow days are days when healthy eating is thrown right not the window into the pile of snow accumulating outside. During this time of isolation, it is so important that we follow our healthy food plan more than ever. I know you are feeling sad, isolated, depression and SCARED. All these emotions are valid and cannot be stuffed down with processed foods that will pack on those unwanted pounds so quickly
Get Outside
Last I checked the state parks are still open for walking, hiking, etc. Visit your park, take the kids out for some fresh air. Yes, keep the recommended six-foot distance as best as possible, do not have your kids play on the jungle gym, but they sure can have a catch with each other. Sunshine and fresh air will keep your immune system healthy.
Stay Connected
Reach out to friends and family who live alone. We are born to be connected. Personal interaction may not be available, but zoom conferencing, SKYPE, FaceTime are all great ways to connect. My daughter who lives in California is joining us in Brooklyn on Sunday for a virtual game of Scattegories. This is something we as a family will totally benefit from. We need to come together as a family to remain connected. #virtualfamilygamenight
Worry Time
Over the weekend, I had a bad morning…like really bad. I became very anxious and overwhelmed with so many emotions. The most pronounced being my need to control and fix. These protective patterns are what keep me feeling safe. Nothing today is in my control and we all know there is nothing I can do to fix this. I reached out to my Tapping buddies, and after a few rounds of tapping, I came up with a solution of allowing myself one-hour of worry time a day. Whether that is 30-minutes in the morning and 30-minutes in afternoon. Or allowing myself to watch the morning news for one hour which is part of my normal routine. It’s something that has been working.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Please comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
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