Taking Care of Yourself While Quarantined

With the uncertainty of the future and not knowing when the stresses of this global pandemic will end, it is an anxiety inducing time for many. The resources you may have had access to, like therapy or other outlets that helped ease your mind, may not be doable at the moment. Below, you will find some therapeutic activities that can help you get through these tough times.

Read a Book

Pick up a book and start reading. Often times, you are too tired to read at the end of a workday or have too much reading to do for school. Now is the time to take an hour to yourself either before bed, in the morning when you wake up, or any time of day to read for pleasure.

Clean the House

Cleaning can be very therapeutic for many. Taking a cluttered room or a dusty carpet and cleaning will not only will take your mind off the pandemic, but can help lead to a sense of accomplishment. It is both the process of cleaning and seeing the end result that eases your mind.

Exercise

Gyms are closed, so what better way than to be resourceful than to use items around your house to do an at home workout. Take a paint can, propane tank, or cans of food and put them to use. Working out not only has many physical benefits, but psychological benefits as well. Exercising releases endorphins which can help boost your mental health, and we need this now more than ever especially in these trying times.

Cook or Bake

Cooking and baking are incredibly therapeutic outlets for many people. It can be both the process of preparing a recipe as well as seeing the enjoyment from others when they try your food. While this is not the time to be sharing food, you can still cook! If you are living with a roommate or family, they will be able to indulge in what you make.

Pamper Yourself

Take a day and paint your nails, do a face mask, or relax and sink into a nice hot bubble bath. Anything that will make you feel special for the day. Doing activities that will put a smile on your face is imperative when you have to stay home all day and things you normally do are closed for the time being. You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel at the end of the day.

Write in a Journal

Some people are better at talking about their feelings while others are better at writing about their emotions. Writing and journaling is a great way to put your thoughts into words to help you cope. Bottling feelings inside can be exhausting, so this is a healthy way to keep your mind active and process your thoughts.

Rest

Now is the time to take care of yourself and relax. Whether you are working from home, studying, or finding new hobbies, resting is still important. Take a mental health day, watch a movie, do yoga, take a bath, or go to sleep early. Find the things that relax you the most and practice them daily. While being quarantined is not ideal, make the most of it and relax because you may never have this much downtime again.

Do you have something you do to help process everything going on in the world? Something that is therapeutic or a way for you to practice self-care? Let us know in the comments!