I am excited to present a guest blog entry from author Ralph Macey from https://www.savantcare.com/blog/:7 Self-care steps to be happy and healthy during the pandemic
“The first rule of kindness is to be kind to yourself.”
Self-care is important. Period.
If you don’t take care of yourself, then how will you take care of your loved ones?
If you’re not well and happy, then how can you make other people happy?
The COVID-19 outbreak has pushed us into unchartered territory where grief and loss predominate everywhere. Job losses, pay cuts, social isolation, and painful deaths have shaken our emotional well-being. This is a challenging time, and we all have to survive it somehow. And, the first step begins with taking care of yourself. Here are a few simple steps that can help you to stay happy and healthy during the pandemic.
1. Maintain personal hygiene:
This is the first step to self-care, especially during the pandemic. You have to do everything to avoid this viral infection. I think anyone will agree with me on this. It’s essential to maintain personal hygiene during the pandemic. Wear masks when you’re going out. Wash your hands properly. Use a hand sanitizer before touching anything from outside. Wear gloves if possible. Stay at home and maintain social isolation.
2. Do what makes you happy:
Your happiness belongs to yourself, and nobody else. So, stop searching for happiness from somebody else. Love yourself unconditionally so that you can keep other people happy. During this period of social isolation, do what makes you happy. If you love to watch web series, watch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime, or any other video streaming platforms. Listen to good podcasts to motivate yourself and calm your agitated nerves. If you love to read books or plant trees, then do that.
Just remember one famous quote by Buddha:
“Happiness doesn’t depend on what you have or who you are.
It solely relies on what you think.”
So, think about good things in life. Think about what makes you happy. Think about the purpose of your life. And, when I say purpose, I don’t mean that the purpose of your life is just to be someone’s mom, wife, daughter, son, husband, or father. Those are social relationships that you share and cherish. The purpose of your life is to do what makes you happy and then spread happiness, among others.
3. Explore various ways to destress yourself:
There are a couple of steps you can take to destress yourself. The first step is to exercise for at least 20 minutes every day. Regular exercise helps to release harmful toxins and get rid of negative energy. Go to the terrace and work out for 20 minutes. Feel the nature and refresh your mind. When your body is too exhausted, your mind doesn’t get any time to nurture negative thoughts.
The second step is doing meditation for at least 30 minutes every day. You have to take 50 minutes out of your busy schedule for your physical and emotional well-being. Do prayers for half an hour to seek spiritual solace. Tell what is bugging your mind to the Lord so that he can solve all your problems. Remember this quote from the Bible before starting your meditation and prayer:
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart
Psalm 37.4
Positive thinking helps you to stay relaxed and calm. It helps to reduce anxiety and stress. Doing gratitude prayers helps you to stay positive. Express your gratitude to God for everything you have – food, home, clothes, medicines, family, and so on.
4. Have adequate sleep every day:
Sleep is good food for both your mind and body. Working remotely and at the same time taking care of your family 24*7 is a tough task. But, your mind and body are doing this task sincerely every day. So, like everyone, they need rest too. Make sure you sleep at least for 8 hours every day. Don’t watch movies or web series until midnight. That is not good for your sensitive nerves. Wake up in the morning and have coffee in your balcony or garden. Your body would love to feel the soft breezes, and that will refresh your mind.
5. Connect with your friends and family:
Seeing the same faces and the same walls make life boring. So, why don’t you have video chats with your friends and relatives? Fix a time every day when you all can do video chats. Ask them how are they and what are they doing to stay positive and motivated during this difficult time? Share your thoughts and feelings with them. Talk about the beautiful days that you have spent with each other. Share funny and interesting stories to be happy and stay positive. It’s a good way to reconnect with your siblings and friends. Don’t miss it out.
6. Have a healthy diet to stay healthy:
Remember this quote from the Bible?
“It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.” – Proverbs 25:27
It’s not only medical science but also our Holy Bible instructing us to have moderate amounts of honey (sugar) in our food. When we are at home, we tend to eat more. Too much eating without regular exercise is bad for our health.
Plan healthy and simple meals for yourself. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables during this time. Cut down on sugar, salt, and oil to have a healthy body during the pandemic. Boost your immunity system to keep viral infection at bay.
7. Accept the situation as it is:
Social isolation and job loss have made a huge impact on us – both physically and psychologically. Many people are working like robots with brave faces. This is not required. Being on a self-denial mode won’t be fruitful in the long run.
Accept the situation as it is. Learn to be comfortable in this uncomfortable situation. At the end of the day, suffer what is there to suffer, and enjoy what is there to enjoy. No one can avoid troubles, grief, and loss. Both grief and loss are a significant part of our life and we have to deal with them. If you have lost somebody, it’s okay to grieve and mourn. It’s okay to cry and vent out your pent up emotions. Your body and mind need it. Express your sadness so that your heavy heart gets relief.
Final words before I finish this post
Life is not over yet. As long as you’re alive, there is hope. So, instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, start hoping for a brighter future for everyone. It’s the hope that keeps our spirit alive. It’s the hope that drives us to fulfill our dreams and achieve our goals. Stay positive, be healthy, take care of yourself, and hope for a world where everyone can live with dignity.
Make sure to check out more ways for self-care by listening to the lastest Confessions From a Red Couch podcast episode.
