2020 has been full of twists and turns that no one could have possibly predicted. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s felt like reality was shifting on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. That’s why I came up with these 7 simple self-care ideas to help us all through this difficult time.
The last several months have been one long, difficult season. Depending on your particular circumstances, this “difficult season” may have taken on a variety of different forms. Perhaps you’ve been faced with some unexpected financial strain. Perhaps you’ve had to start homeschooling your children while working from home, or find childcare for them because you have an essential position. Most likely, your family’s normal schedule has been tossed completely out the window. For most of us, this has led to no small amount of worry for our loved ones’ safety, generalized anxiety, and a general sense of uprootedness.
Are you feeling sore and want to reduce the sources of your inflammation?
Or maybe you are tired of always feeling like your clothes are too tight when really it’s just the fact that you are bloated.
Registered Nutrition Coach, Dawn McGee has put together a simple and straightforward, 7 Day Detox Guide that will not only reduce inflammation and bloat but also prep your body if you are wanting to continue releasing stored fat.
Click the button below and we will send you your free workbook for your 7 Day Detox.
In my practice as a nutrition & health coach, I talk a lot about the importance of self-care. Prioritizing your mental health can be tough even when life is going well, but during difficult seasons like the one we’re in, it’s far too easy to simply let your self-care slide in favor of other more important activities.
However, when life starts getting turbulent, THIS is when prioritizing your mental health becomes truly crucial. So in that spirit, I wanted to bring you a few simple, high-impact ideas for practicing self-care during this difficult season and beyond.
RELATED: SELF-CARE MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK IT IS
7 SIMPLE SELF-CARE IDEAS
Find—or create—your own space
Has your family been stuck together like glue since early March? Even now, as the world starts reopening a little at a time, finding your own quiet space may still be a challenge. However, one of the simplest and most effective ways to recharge your batteries when you’re stressed out is to simply spend a few minutes totally alone in a quiet, peaceful place.
If you happen to have an extra room in your home dedicated to your interests—a hobby room, a home-gym, or an office, for example—this is a great time to take advantage of that space. If you don’t, though, just locking yourself in the bathroom or taking a solo walk can be enough to hit the reset button.
Do something you love
Speaking of hobby rooms . . . What once-beloved hobbies had you all but forgotten before the quarantine? Maybe you used to adore reading, but your bookworm tendences came to a halt when you had kids. We’re all restructuring the fabric of our lives at the moment, so this is a great time to re-incorporate more activities that make you feel like “you” into your new normal.
And honestly, this is one of my favorite simple self-care ideas!
Spend some time creating a higher-effort, higher-reward dish
This may or may not make you happy depending on how much you enjoy cooking, but as someone who’s far more into eating good food than preparing it, I think there’s still a lot to be said for occasionally trying more involved, interesting new recipes. If your family’s been doing way too much pizza or takeout this year, a fun new recipe might be just the thing you need to break out of your funk. Get creative with whatever’s in your pantry, or skim Pinterest for healthy, colorful food ideas. Get your family involved—or don’t, if you’d rather tackle it on your own. The choice is yours.
Do what makes you feel beautiful
When we have nowhere to go and no one to see, it’s easy to step away from our usual grooming routines. If you didn’t wear a smidge of makeup from March to May, you’re not alone! However, if you’re someone who typically puts more effort into your appearance, dressing down and not taking care of yourself might be making you feel sloppy and out of sorts. Think about what makes you feel beautiful—a new outfit, a mani/pedi, getting your hair or makeup done, or even a fun photo shoot. Try doing more of that thing this summer. You might be surprised how it affects your energy!
RELATED POST: HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR DURING QUARANTINE & BEYOND
Enjoy the great outdoors (safely, of course)
This has been one of my personal favorites this year. Spending time outside is a perfect way to get a break from your house while still practicing social distancing. Now that your favorite shops/restaurants are reopening, you might be tempted to abandon your favorite walking trails or local parts that have kept you sane these past few months; instead, I’d encourage you to keep venturing outside and getting lots of fresh air. If you’re bored of your local surroundings, perhaps you could even consider a short family camping trip or a visit to the park in the next town over. New surroundings and sunlight can do wonders for your mood!
Treat sleep as a non-negotiable
This is one of the most important of my simple self-care ideas. Sleep is a top priority for both physical and emotional health.
When we have nowhere to be the next day (thank you, remote work), it can be easy to allow ourselves to stay up later than usual—oftentimes, in front of a screen. Treating yourself to a late-night movie every once in a while is a-okay, but if you’re feeling low-energy or just kind of blah, poor sleep is likely a culprit. Figuring out when you need to go to bed in order to feel your best the next day, and stick to that. Set alarms if you need a reminder, and know that it’s totally okay to go to sleep before your partner if they are on a different schedule.
Tune in to your unique needs
We’re all unique people, so it’s very possible that the thing you need is unique to you and won’t be found on a list. So I encourage you: Spend a little time each day checking in with your mind, body, and spirit. Determine what YOU need to feel like the best version of yourself. Then, whatever that thing is, do your best to make room for it.
Remember: self-care comes in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Being able to recognize what you need and show yourself the love you deserve is an important, life-changing skill to master. That said, if you need some help learning how to better tune in with your body and address your needs, I’d love to help! Join me in my free group, Never Diet Again, for accountability and expert insight to help you eat, move, and recharge your way to a life you’ll love.
See you there!
Dawn
P.s. If you want more like this, grab my COVID-19 Care Package (https://dawnrmcgee.clickfunnels.com/covid-guide)
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
