How To Self-Care During Self-Isolation

A week ago the world was different. A week ago, I was trying hard to know very little about COVID-19. I tend to have high anxiety around health, and have learned over time that I do best on a Need To Know basis.

But a week later and here we are: I need to know.

If this virus has you feeling anxious, you aren’t alone. If this virus has you feeling indifferent, you aren’t alone. This is unusual territory for us: we want to be calm and rational, but we want to be prepared. We want to “flatten the curve” of this pandemic. And as of right now, that means staying inside. It means self-isolation.

Staying inside and self-isolating is the best way to protect yourself, and your community. Of course, not everyone is able to do this–if you’re one of these people that need to go to work, stay diligent + stay safe. If you’re someone in the health and medical community, or you’re working in grocery stores or working jobs that provide the rest of us with essentials, and food, thank you. 

But I want to get real for one second: Last week, when there was a lot of buzz around COVID-19, but our day-to-days here in Toronto had yet to be affected, I wasn’t really taking this seriously. Why are people always overreacting? I knew a little about coronavirus: I knew that if I got it, I’d probably be okay–I don’t have a compromised immune system, and I’m in my mid-twenties. I knew that people were hoarding toilet paper, and wearing masks (neither of which are particularly effective). On the weekend, I went out to a bar with some friends. I went out for coffee. I went shopping.

It didn’t feel real yet. I didn’t really understand. My life didn’t stop.

Now, as I’m watching restaurants and small businesses reduce their hours or close completely, I get it. As I let the full impact of what it means to be sick sink in, I get it.

Sure, I may be okay if I get coronavirus but I may put other people at risk if I do. I don’t personally know many people in my life with compromised immune systems, but plenty of my closest friends have family members that do. I might be able to work from home and be safe, but not everyone can. Not everyone is safe in their own homes (people who face domestic abuse for example), not everyone can afford to take time off work for self-isolation and social distancing.  Hours are being cut for hourly staff, means less income. And yes, I know there are measures in place for EI. I know the government is stepping in, and ready to offer financial relief.

But this is a really stressful time for a lot of people. Because we really don’t know what’s going to happen. This can make us act out of fear–because yeah, it’s kind of scary. But it’s really important we try to act out of compassion, and out of kindness. It’s important that we stay calm, and that we manage our stress.

It’s important that we self-care. It’s important that we self-isolate.

If you’re home this week (maybe next week), and you’re feeling anxious (about self-isolation or about COVID-19), and you’re feeling unsure, here are some ways to really take care of yourself amidst all of this uncertainty. 

12 Ways To Self-Care During Self-Isolation

1. Read A Book

If you have the time, now is a great time to do some reading. If you’re like me, and always have to be reading something related to work (in my case health and nutrition), try reading some fiction–a little escapism might do you some good!

Some of my all-time favourite reads include:

   

2. Journal

Have a lot of feelings? You’re not alone. Write it out. Now is a great time to get introspective. Write out any anxieties you have, anything you’re holding onto. Or, use this time to reflect on what it is you want from life. If you’ve been going through the motions, and aren’t happy with your job, or the trajectory your life is on, now might be a time to really sit with it and explore next steps.

What actually matters to you? What do you want from life?

3. Start A Creative Project You’ve Always Wanted To Do

Always dreamt about writing a book or actually using that paint set you bought months ago? Take the time to melt into that creative space and to work on a project you’ve been wanting to start. For better or worse, you’ve been given the gift of time.

4. Call Your Friends + Family

If you’re like me, self-isolation can be hard when you really dislike being alone. Personally, my anxiety tends to rise when I’m not around other people. I’ve been using this time to call my friends and family and catch up and just check-in. It feels good to hear that other people are also anxious, or bored, or indifferent or unsure. As people, we crave community, and it’s important to still find ways to get that, even if leaving the house isn’t an option.

5. Catch Up On Netflix

Want to binge watch all your favourite shows guilt-free? I feel ya. I’m loving light-hearted and funny shows right now.

Currently watching:

• How I Met Your Mother
• Quarter Life Crisis
• Someone Great
• One Day At A Time
• Anything with Kristen Bell..

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How To Actually Save Time Eating Healthy

This Is How Gut Health Affects Your Anxiety

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6. Workout

Just because the gyms are closed doesn’t mean you can’t workout. There are so many home workouts you can. Some goods ones to check out include:

ClassPass Online Videos

PaleoOMG. Juli is sharing tons of free workouts that you can check out here!

Alive by Whitney Simmons. Try the 7-day free trial and try out all of her at-home workouts!

Also, fitness coach Beverley Cheng has just announced on Instagram that she’ll be offering her online home workouts for free through her stories, so definitely worth it to check it out. You can also buy her programs here.

7. Take An Online Class

If you’re stuck inside it may be a great time to take an online class.

Here’s one of my favourite courses I’ve taken online:

Composition Essentials By TwoLovesStudio –learn how to improve your photography by understanding the fundamental art concepts that will improve your flow and composition. Great for food bloggers, food stylists + photographers alike!

And here are some free ones:

Foodtography School is offering up all their masterclasses for free here –everything from how to build a food photography business to getting paid for shooting food at restaurants!

MindBodyGreen is also offering up free classes: topics like Reiki 101, meditation for anxiety + 28 days to yoga bliss, to name a few. You can check that out here.

8. Do Absolutely Nothing

Right now just really isn’t the time to be super productive. Of course if that’s what you need to feel sane, and to feel purpose-driven, I get that. But if you feel like with all this spare time you need to accomplish some goals–you don’t. Right now, all you have to do is prioritize your health, and the health of the people around you. Beyond that, nothing really matters right now.

9. Ask Your Community How You Can Help

There are lots of people in our community who are more vulnerable, more at risk, and really struggling with the changes that happening (and will continue to happen). See if there are ways for you to support your local community and local businesses.

If you live in Toronto, you can find out how to help your community through this Facebook group:

How Can I Help COVID-19 Toronto?

10. Nourish Your Body

Right now we still have access to our grocery stores: to fresh produce, whole foods. Make sure you’re eating properly. Stock up on some pantry ingredients for the next two weeks (but please don’t hoard–there’s plenty of food!) and make some quick and easy meals that you can have on hand. Eating well will help to keep your immune system strong.

11. Let Go Of What Doesn’t Matter

I’m working really hard to let go of the some of the thoughts I usually hold space for day-to-day: I need to hustle and work on my side business, I need to workout, I need to take another course, I need to do XYZ. I’m trying to breathe in and let go: what I need is fresh air, whole foods + social distancing. I need a home, I need friends and family to check in with, I need clean water. And I have all of those things. Right now, everything else doesn’t matter.

Which brings me to my next point:

12. Express Gratitude

If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious and frustrated, write down a list of what you’re grateful for–of what you’re lucky (or privileged) to have access to. For me, that means a job where I can work from home, a home to keep me safe, access to the essentials I need, access to the internet (so I can binge watch How I Met Your Mother), access to my friends and family despite staying home.

I hope this helps! If you need to reach out and connect–I know social distancing can be hard for those of us that are extroverts–feel free to reach out to me directly: tisha@thenourishedmind.ca !

Best of health,