Self Care At Home
Happy Friday ladies, I hope you’re keeping it all together while you self-distance, shelter at home and/or self-isolate. California has been “locked” down for ever almost a week and cabin fever is running high at our house.
This situation is new for all of us. Some are not dealing with it as well as others so today, I’m sharing some self-care practices while you shelter at home, are self-distancing or self-isolating.
1 – Get Outside
Yes, we need to keep our distance from others but we also need fresh air. Go for a walk, keeping a safe distance from others or simply sit outside. A healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun will lift your spirits and fend off depression.
2 -Take up meditation
I’ve been meditating on and off for many years. Remember when I flew south for a meditation retreat with a broken hip? The truth is it’s been hard for me to commit to it every morning so I love it when Deepak Chopra does his free 21 Day Meditation Challenge. He’s just started a new one called Hope In Uncertain Times which seems particularly poignant. My daughter is doing it in Vancouver and my husband just started it. If he can do it, anyone can do it because his AA personality means he is always on the go.
3- Unplug From Technology
Being constantly plugged in to what’s happening, is stressful. It’s not healthy during normal times and this is anything but normal. Schedule a time to step away from your cell phone, computer, radio, and television. Have some quiet “me” time with no input from society. Read a new book, test a new recipe, knit, sew, or simply do nothing.
4 – Stretch
Most of us are missing the gym or exercise classes. Yesterday I drove past a parking lot full of women all jumping around to loud music. Each woman was 6 or more feet from the other and the instructor was at least 12 feet away in front. They looked like they were having fun, but that’s not practical for most of us. I prefer calmer forms of exercise and found some great free online yoga classes here, and here, and here. Yoga helps stretch your muscles and calm your nerves.
5 – Keep Your Routines
Making your bed may seem like a simple thing and easy to ignore, but I promise you that simply making your bed nicely every morning will improve every day. If you don’t believe me, watch this moving commencement speech. I spray my pillows with lavender water each morning which freshens them up and smells heavenly. Scents have a powerful effect on your mood so use ones that you love.
6- Get Dressed
It may feel luxurious to hang around in your pj’s and robe all day, but I promise, you will feel much better when you get dressed. Do it for you! If you have a hard time, plan your outfit the night before and remember to include a few accessories.
7 – Learn Something New
Learning is a great distraction and many universities are offering free classes for you to take. Always loved the beauty of Caligraphy? Take free classes here. Harvard is offering classes here. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at art, some of these classes look great. There are free crafting and sewing classes here.
8 – Beauty Treatment
Just because you can’t get to the spa or salon, doesn’t mean you can’t have a beauty treatment. Turn on some relaxing music and use that face mask you bought and never find time to use. Change your toe and fingernail polish for a cheery color. I switched to a brighter pink and it lifts my spirits just seeing it. Heat some oil and give your hair a deep heat treatment. If you have nothing at home, good old olive oil will work. Egg white face masks have been used for years with great results.
9 – Stay In Touch
Don’t let this time be lonely or allow you to get emotionally isolated. Pick up the phone, Facetime or Message friends and loved ones. Texting and emailing can feel sterile during these stressful times, so I encourage you to talk and see the people you love.
Now I’d like to hear from you. How are you staying sane and what can you share in the comments to help the other ladies here? This community is filled with strong, smart and kind women. Thank you for being part of it. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
XX
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Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Thanks for “Learning something new”, I’m going to sign up for one of the Harvard courses. I love doing online learning, and this seems exciting.
Dee
Thank you for this post, it hit the right spot! I felt relief when I read it. I have been inspired over the last week by the change of season and spacial distance separation and have got the clothing I have not worn recently out and had a good look at them. I have changed a calf length chiffon jacket with long side splits to be a shirt dress by closing the side slits, adding two more buttons and buttonholes to the bottom of front opening and I will wear a belt around the waist blouse it over spas a shirt dress. Have re-hemmed one pair of slacks that were too long, 1 more pair underway! From Australia
It’s so satisfying to get these things done. Way to go.
We are in full lock down in New Zealand too so yesterday I had a huge tidy of my costume jewellery sorting my earrings into colours and having then on a new picture frame filled with Chicken wire that my significant other made for me. As a way of staying cheerful I am dressing property each day and wearing colourful jewellery even though only one other person will be seeing it. He called it “tiara time” when I am deciding what to wear.
I love “tiara time”! Such a fun expression. We are cleaning the garage which is not nearly as much fun as jewelry. Stay safe
Hi Jennifer,
So enjoy reading all your posts and I want to thank you for the Fiona Davis recommendation. I was not aware of her and really like her stories. I’ve read The Dollhouse and now into The Address….the following two will be next in line….so thank you for making this self quarantine much more pleasant❗️
I especially like your honesty on all issues and your sense of humor with tales of your RV adventures
Stay positive and I’m send healing thoughts for your daughter. Hope she is feeling much better.
❤️Susan
Thank you so much Susan. She is feeling much better.
I thought I had everything we would need for a month at least but forgot extra Mayo and eggs. It seems everything I want to cook has eggs. So, I’m going to try and make my own Mayo today and I found you can sub eggs with oil or applesauce.
I’ve been reading all about how they coped during the depression If you are not familiar with Clara’s Kitchen on you tube, you should check it out. It is wit and wisdom from someone who went through the depression. You’ll love her, I promise.
Heading over to check her out right away! How fun:) Thanks, Eve.
Love your tips. I’ve been walking, baking, cooking, tidying the house, reading, and watching TV guilt-free. I get dressed every morning and put on makeup. I’m trying to keep things as normal as possible for the kids. My french lessons continue online, which is a blessing. It’s quite surreal. I can’t imagine that many of us will come through the other side of this unchanged. Xx
I agree we will all be changed in large or small ways. I’m impressed you can take French online! xx
I wish the weather would warm up, but this is California, and we’ll be hot soon enough. I cook for the family (breakfast, lunch and dinner.) There are six of us, including two teenage boys (who eat everything in sight and still get taller and skinnier.) When it was just my husband and myself, I cooked less often, and we went out a lot. Now that I’m back to cooking for a big family, I find I have lots to do. Instacart has been a lifesaver. (Oh, I just cook. My daughter cleans!)
Instacart has been a lifesaver for us too.
Thank you ladies, for practicing social distancing. As an RN in a hospital, I know that all health care workers really appreciate the sacrifices everyone is making. When I come home from a stressful day, I am cross stitching which has really helped. Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Be safe, Joan. You’re really on the frontline. We are so appreciative of your work.
I continue with my daily routine at home. I have not gotten into cleaning as a lot of people have as there will be weeks ahead to do it. I did all my major errand stuff a couple of weeks ago. We are not in lock down in my city but are told to stay home Work was cancelled mid month and I am enjoying having this extra time. I do a little bit of gardening. I have written out 7 Haiku (Japanese poetry) that I sent to people by snail mail. People enjoy opening 1 each day – Haiku is very calming and one can visualize the scene. I’m enjoying seeing Spring unfold outside our living room window – there are magnolia trees. I am taking a course which has to now be done on ZOOM which I had never heard of before. So interesting as we all are visible on the computer screen and can listen and chat. Today I will make an orange cake and go for a drive to see the water. I am sad tho as a friend got her prognosis re cancer = terminal and I can not visit.
I love Haiku! What a good idea! (So sad for your friend.)
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. Sending prayers.
We returned from Barcelona 2 weeks ago Sunday, so have been self-quarantining since then, right along with everyone else, as it happens! And I’m happy to continue that til the threat greatly decreases. I’ve worked from home, for our travel business, for years, but now my nearly-retired husband is also working from home, so that’s a pleasure!
What I have delighted in during this time is the almost-daily calls from our adult children and grandchildren! Previously everyone was so busy they rarely called – but now we enjoy hearing from them frequently!
So much to be thankful for as we travel this unknown path…
Such a great observation Anne. We do need to be grateful for small blessings. Stay well.
I am increasingly a huge fan of yours. Your
kindness and empathy shine thru and I love that
you connect very different, but interesting,
women. You share in an authentic way. I love
to read all the comments you receive.
Thank you Jennifer.
My readers are the best! I’m glad you’re here with us Carol. Start safe