If you’re struggling to keep it together after months of restrictions and COVID-19 updates, know that you’re not alone. The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental and physical health, and this is why you need self-care more than ever before.
With this being said, finding ways to fit stress-relief into your schedule and budget can also feel more challenging than ever. That’s why Mindful Way Coaching wants to offer you these tips.
Dress to Impress...Yourself!
You may not equate your wardrobe choices with self-care. After all, clothes are just clothes, right? Well, psychologists say that many people are getting this wrong. Particularly during the pandemic. Sure, it may be easier to keep your PJs on when you’re trying to work from home with kids, but that may not be the best plan for your mood and productivity. Instead, try dressing in outfits that will help you feel your best while looking your best too.
It helps to start with the basics, like a comfy and soft bra. Organic cotton is a soft choice that will wrap you in comfort while still being durable enough to maximize your budget. That’s what makes bras like the Charlie bra such smart choices. Top your new bra off with some upgraded casual pieces like a comfy vest or sweater to complete your new lockdown looks.
Take Time to Say ‘Thank You’
Even during the toughest of times, you can find a lot to be grateful for in your life. Practicing gratitude, or saying “thank you” to yourself and others, is a powerful way to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. You’re also likely to see improvements in your sleep habits, relationships, and physical health. Plus, practicing gratitude is absolutely free!
You can certainly pause to say “thank you” in your head or out loud, but writing out feelings of gratitude is even more powerful. Keeping a gratitude journal encourages mindfulness in every aspect of your life and intensifies the positive effects mentioned above.
Make Time for More Mindfulness
It costs nothing to cultivate more mindfulness, yet the benefits are priceless. Being more mindful and aware of your everyday choices can help you discover whether your routine helps or harms your emotional health. If you’ve been binging a true-crime drama during the pandemic, check-in with yourself to see if that show makes you feel relaxed or anxious? If it’s the latter, you may want to find a better way to relax and recharge.
When you need to relieve stress, try replacing a few minutes of screen time with mindful meditation. However, there have been countless studies on the benefits of mediation, a more recent one by the WHO found that you only need 10 minutes a day to access these perks. Try to think of meditation as a treat for your mind and know that it doesn’t have to be boring.
Create Your Own Backyard Oasis
When you take a hike or spend time outside, do you feel less stressed and more relaxed? If so, you are likely feeling the effects of ecopsychology. Ecopsychology simply refers to a vast collection of research dedicated to studying the positive effects of nature. Basically, spending time in nature can help you relieve stress and heal both your mind and body.
With pandemic restrictions in place and kids at home, going for a stroll in the woods may not be an option right now. Luckily, you can get those same health-boosting benefits of nature by spending time in your own backyard. If your space needs some improvement, there are also quite a few budget-savvy options like hanging inexpensive string lights or starting a garden.
There’s nothing selfish about self-care. You need stress-relieving practices, like mediation, gratitude, and time in nature, to allow your mind and body to recharge. In short, you need self-care to stay healthy as you ride out the rest of the pandemic.
Be sure to check out the Mindful Way Coaching for all of your health and wellness needs.
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