Katrina
There’s no doubt that self-care is highly important in life. However, with normal routines out of the window under this current uncertain and unsettling climate, it’s now, more than ever, absolutely vital to prioritise looking after your mental and physical health.
Here at Fuzzable we’ve rounded up five of our favourite self-care tips and ideas which will hopefully shine a little light into your life during this dark time.
Embrace the arts
It’s no secret that a lot of people find their happiness by going to gigs, the cinema or the theatre. The arts offer a sense of escapism which is unmatched, allowing you to forget about the outside world for a few hours. Whilst we won’t be able to experience this outside of our own four walls for the foreseeable, there’s no reason why you can’t embrace the arts from the comfort of your own home.
During this lockdown period, many of our favourite artists and theatre performers have been putting on virtual performances from their homes. For example, Lambert Jackson and The Theatre Cafe are hosting several live-streamed gigs a day (Monday-Friday) featuring some of the West End’s brightest talents. A number of musicals and plays are also available to watch online, with the National Theatre and Andrew Lloyd Webber making some of their productions available to watch for free.
In terms of music, Global Citizen and the World Health Organisation are putting on numerous live-streamed concerts as part of their #TogetherAtHome series. The likes of Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, Anne-Marie, and Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have already taken part.
If films and TV shows are more your thing, then now is as good a time as any to make the most of your Netflix subscription. Whether you want to try out new releases including Tiger King and Coffee and Kareem, or finally binge-watch those talked about shows that you haven’t got round to watching yet, Netflix and chill time has never been more appealing.
Channel your inner Dua Lipa and get physical
Exercising is a great way to give your physical and mental health a boost, and it’s possible to enjoy a workout without leaving your living room. Leading the pack is ‘The Body Coach’ Joe Wicks, who has been doing daily PE lessons for children (Monday to Friday) to keep them motivated whilst schools are closed. Despite being aimed at kids, the workouts are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Better still, the advertising revenue from his PE videos is being donated to the NHS!
If dancing takes your fancy, then Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse and her husband Marius Iepure have been sharing dance lessons for children and adults on YouTube. Performing to songs from The Greatest Showman, Moana, Frozen and more, these classes really have the feel-good factor.
If you’d rather something a little bit more relaxing, there’s nothing more calming for your mind and body than yoga. Combined with exercising your breathing, yoga has a number of health benefits including increased flexibility, improved muscle strength, as well as improved energy. Yoga-nna want to give these free online classes a go!
Keep in touch with your friends and family
Just because you can’t go out and physically visit your friends and family right now, it doesn’t mean that you can’t keep in touch with them. In fact, it’s never been easier thanks to an array of apps including FaceTime, Zoom, Houseparty and more. We know that topics of conversation might be a bit limited at the moment seeing as it feels like we’re living the same day over and over again, however, these apps are also great for hosting quizzes, mini parties and more. The world’s your oyster when it comes to virtual hangouts and you can check out our list of the best apps to hang out with your friends and family here.
Have a social media clear out
During lockdown, it’s likely that you’re spending even more time endlessly scrolling your social media and quite frankly, some of the content being shared right now can be quite disheartening. Now’s a great time to perhaps have a little clear out of your social media by muting or unfollowing accounts which you find damaging to your mental health.
Whilst seeing news about the COVID-19 pandemic is unavoidable, it might be beneficial for you to limit the sources in which you receive news from. It’s also important to make sure that you’re following reliable news sources, rather than accounts which may be prone to scaremongering.
Once you’ve removed any accounts which are having a negative affect on your mental health, make sure you fill your feed with accounts which bring you joy. Whether that’s your friends and family, your favourite celebrities or positive influencers, make sure that the content you’re consuming at present is spreading happiness during this difficult time.
Relax your body and mind
Finally, there are a number of ways in which you can relax your body and mind, and some of these should be a part of your self-care routine today, tomorrow and always.
Many people enjoy a good old soak in the tub, and it’s well known for being a great way to de-stress so grab a bath bomb and set aside enough time to enjoy a steaming hot bubble bath. Others like to de-stress with a good book or podcast, by enjoying a blissful cup of tea, by baking their favourite treats or by writing out their thoughts. There’s no right or wrong answer here – it’s all about what makes you feel calm and at peace within yourself.
It’s also important to make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep. Under the current situation, it’s quite possible that your sleep pattern has left the building. However, it’s important to try and create a routine for yourself by making sure you get enough hours in the Land of Nod, which will set you up for the day ahead.
