Coronavirus Quarantine & Self Care
I always think taking care of one’s mental health is important, not just during a pandemic. That looks different for everyone and can range from medication to running daily to eating a specific diet or regular therapy sessions. I think people should use “sick” days at work for mental health breaks and should feel empowered to talk about mental illness. Now, in this uncertain time of quarantine, social distancing and daily fear of contracting a deadly illness, I think taking care of your mental health is more important than ever!
As I’ve said before, I do not think social media is particularly good for mental health. Currently, it is filled with people who talk about the “Quarantine 15,” an ode to the “Freshman 15” phenomenon that many first year college students experience as they transition away from home and have access to unlimited dining hall food and often a lot less physical activity. You eat more and gain 15 pounds. Oh, the shame! Not. For someone who has always had an unsteady relationship with food, I think the “Quarnatine 15” is incredibly stupid. This time in history is unprecedented and feeling guilty about potentially gaining weight is awful for mental health. I also don’t think there is a need to be super productive and accomplish great things. Surviving is all that some can do but I am trying to thrive in my own ways!
I wanted to share what I am practicing self care and taking care of my mental health in the hopes it might help someone else!
Limit News and Social Media Consumption
This is priority #1.
I love reading the news and knowing what is going on in the world. For at least the past couple of years, every morning and night I spend time reading articles from my News iPhone app. I’ll read about archaeological discoveries in different countries, award winning wildlife photographers, American politics, British royal family updates and a slew of other things. However, for the past three weeks, the topic of choice for every news outlet is Covid-19. I’ve had to limit my use of the app just because constant updates about the number of confirmed cases, the rising death toll, and unemployment claims is depressing. And I don’t like to use the word depressing lightly. But, it really is sad.
TURN OFF THE NEWS. Get off Facebook. Go outside. Read a book. Watch your favorite movie.
Do Not Dwell on Negatives and What If Scenarios
If I stop and think about the way people worldwide are being impacted I get really sad.
I spiral and think about how I’m impacted by Covid19.
My parents are both still working and my mom works in a hospital in Michigan, the fourth worst hit state. And she’s at a higher risk due to a congenital cardiac condition. My little sister didn’t get to celebrate her 21st birthday with friends at college or at the bar. I think about all the restaurants and coffee shops I love and how they are temporarily closed and hope they can make it through this economic downturn. I worry about my friends in hospitality who make magic at Walt Disney World or on the Disney Cruise Line. I worry about people who don’t have pets or significant others to keep them company. I worry about daily wage workers in India who were given just four hours of warning about a nationwide lockdown. I worry about the citizens of Brazil whose government has said coronavirus is just “the sniffles” and who is spreading so much misinformation that Twitter and Facebook have removed posts. The dwelling and worry can go on and on and on and on.
So, I don’t let myself dwell but I do let myself feel everything. There are minutes or hours where I can’t get over what is happening and I become quiet or might even cry but I’m lucky to have my boyfriend and cat around for hugs.
Stock Up on Good Snacks
What is a “good” snack? Is it healthy? Does it make you happy? I believe in balance so my snacks make me happy and taste delicious while occasionally also being healthy!
I will be the first to admit that at the beginning of quarantine I snacked on a lot of chips because I love potatoes! But I did notice I felt a little “blah” after all those chip binges because I never stopped with one serving and rarely stopped at two. To help myself out, we are trying to have more snack options beyond kettle chips (even though they are often still in the mix). Here is what I have been enjoying:
Fresh strawberries or blackberries
Wholey’s homemade chips (from a local Pittsburgh store)
SmartPop popcorn (salted or the classic white cheddar)
Simply Fit baked cheese crackers
Air fryer broccoli (I toss fresh broccoli florets in olive oil, garlic powder and pepper and put in an air fryer at 370* for about 8 minutes. Top with grated parmesan cheese)
Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered almonds
Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels (truly addictive and delicious)
Shakkar Para (a crunchy and perfectly sweet Indian snack)
Sliced honeycrisp apples
Make Time for Exercise
It seems I go through phases of life where I exercise and get into a healthy routine and then fall out of it for months (or years in this case). At the beginning of 2020, I told myself it was time to get back into a fitness routine because I had just started a new job and moved into a new apartment so things were falling into place.
Enter Covid19.
The gym at my apartment is closed so I can’t use the elliptical. I’m working from home which cuts back even further on my already paltry daily steps. But, I am doing my best to fit in a workout every other day! It’s a small goal to some, but a perfectly sized one for me!
When the sun is shining, I try to go out on my bicycle. I’m super lucky that Pittsburgh has wonderful biking trails and that I live so close to them. I can go out for 45 minutes and get a ton of fresh air, feel the sun on my skin, and enjoy the beautiful sights of Pittsburgh in spring. My boyfriend and I will also sometimes just go on short strolls around the Strip District.
When the weather is not so great, I’ve been working out in the living room! Here’s what I use:
Daily Workouts App: I use the free version because it has simple yet effective exercises that anyone can follow
FitBit: I wear my fitness tracker to help feel motivated and FitBit is offering a free 3-month trial of their premium subscription
Yoga with Adriene: the BEST yoga videos you can find online!
Pinterest: so many wonderful exercises can be found with a quick search!
While I do some of the workout videos I literally say out loud, “Ugh! I hate this so much” but once I am done and have taken a shower I feel strong and am happy I stuck with it!
Be “Productive” by Setting Aside Hobby Time
Some people have really impressive hobbies such as knitting scarves or cross stitching or painting. My hobbies are baking, reading and writing cards. I also enjoy cooking but my boyfriend is the better chef in the house. During quarantine, I have been setting aside time for each of these activities throughout the week. I feel productive when I am doing something other than scrolling through Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. I am re-reading the Harry Potter series and exploring recipes on Pinterest. On weekends I’ve been baking cupcakes because I have a huge sweet tooth and love having a special dessert to enjoy throughout the week.
Breathe
At some point, this will pass. So remember to breathe. Feel the air enter your nose and expand your lungs and belly as you take a deep breath in. Let your stress go (as much as you can) when you breathe out.
