How to Focus on Self Care During Isolation

Self-care is important. Focusing on your physical, mental and emotional has always been something which humans struggle with. However, it is something which we should prioritize now, more than ever.

Having a healthy and happy mindset is something which most of us would love, and self-care is the key to having it.

The three most essential ways to practice self-care are through physical, emotional and mental care. Each creates a foundation for you to build upon, and develops your habits, routines in your everyday life.

Physical self-care

Fitness and health are the main elements of enhancing your physical self-care. It includes activities which primarily benefit your fitness and eating habits, as well as your sleeping routine.

Doing regular exercise is very advantageous in many ways. These include increased energy and happiness, (as working out releases endorphins, commonly known as the 'happy hormone') it can help your skin and brain health, and can improve your sleep standard.

Furthermore, eating nutritious meals and snacks, can help you reduce weight, gain strong bones and teeth, and can improve your mood.

Physical self-care ideas

• Have a sleep schedule

Sleep is essential for good physical health. Getting 7-9 hours every night is very advantageous: it reduces stress and inflammation, improves your memory, makes you more alert and gives you more energy.

• Swap your unhealthy snacks to nutritious ones

From exchanging white bread to wholewheat bread, a chocolate bar to a piece of dark chocolate or ice cream to frozen yoghurt, there are countless of swaps which you can make. Taking care of what you eat is the primary thing which helps your physical health.

• Go for run

Although running is usually an endeavour which many decide to avoid, it can have some incredible benefits. Just some advantages include: improved heart health, it burns a ridiculous amount of calories (double of what you would burn from walking!) and is incredible for your legs and core.

• Practice yoga

Yoga is a sport which has not only got benefits for the body, but also the mind. It is not dissimilar to meditation - in fact, many state that it is like a form of meditation. It also increases flexibility and muscle strength, reduces weight and improves athletic performance.

If you are sceptical about starting yoga, do some simple stretches before and after a workout. It shares many of the same benefits of yoga.

• Drink more water

Women should aim to drink 1,500ml (1.5 l) every day, yet many do not drink to this amount. It is incredibly important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as, it boosts skin health, regulates the body temperature, flushes out body waste and helps maintain blood pressure.

• Pamper yourself

Having a whole day to just relax and unwind seems like bliss. Put on a face mask, listen to your favourite songs, and treat yourself by giving yourself a manicure, watching your favourite show or reading your favourite book.

Mental self-care

Our busy lives can get in the way of finding time to care for ourselves, but it is essential to find time every day to have some 'me time.'

Mental self-care includes activities which calms your mind and reduce stress. It allows your mindset and your views to broaden, at the same time prioritizing your needs over other peoples wants.

There are a variety of things you can do for your mental self-care. These range from avoiding toxic people and gossiping, to starting a new hobby and continuing your growth of knowledge.

Mental self-care ideas

• Avoid social media

Although social media has many positives, like being able to interact with friends, who are miles away, there are also many negatives. Social media has been proven that it increases depression and anxiety. It also is prone to making many teens dissatisfied with their body image.

Endless scrolling on social media is unproductive and can decrease confidence. Taking a break from social media will improve your mental health and confidence, though, it is not necessary to cut it off completely.

• Learn a new language

Learning a new language comes with many new challenges. It is normal to feel a task as large as this daunting, but it is very beneficial: it helps develop cognitive abilities, listening and problem-solving skills and social interaction.

• Journal

Writing down your thoughts and feelings is an effective way to control your emotions in times of stress and havoc. Writing on a day-to-day basis can improve the quality of your writing and vocabulary, as well as inspiring creativity and boosting your memory.

• Read

Reading is one of the most productive and prolific things you can do in your spare time. It enhances your vocabulary and knowledge, and improves concentration and focus. Reading a good book has a salutary effect on your mental health as they reduce much stress. Reading as little a six minutes per day can result in lessening your stress levels by 60%

• Cut off toxic relationships

Staying in a toxic relationship has many negative consequences. It prevents personal growth and can even diminish your confidence. Although it can be difficult walking away from a relationship, it will have many positive effects.

Emotional self-care

Self-care which maintains your feelings and emotions is just as important as physical health. Emotional self-care is becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings and learning how to control them.

Similarly to mental self-care, emotional self-care adapts the mind to make it more positive. Emotional self-care prevents constant negative thoughts, and develops your mindset to see the best in every situation.

This type of self-care is fundamentally caring for your emotions, as it honours and understands what your feeling.

Emotional self-care ideas

• Meditate

Meditation is powerful for your mind, thoughts and feelings. Having an allocated time each day to be in complete peace and free from any anxiety or stress is beneficial for emotional self-care. Meditation relaxes you, reduces stress and can even generate kindness.

• Express gratitude

Being grateful for all that you have and expressing it is probably one of the most useful things you can do to ensure good emotional health. Not only does it boost your mood, but it also improves self-esteem and increases mental strength.

• Get in touch with a friend

Although we can't see our friends, it is essential to be social and not to distance yourself from friendships. Calling a friend will prevent loneliness and can increase your sense of belonging. Choosing the right friends to talk to can also enhance your confidence.

• Stop comparing yourself to others

Self-deprivation is ineffectual and will lead to nowhere. Instead of feeding yourself nasty remarks, or comparing yourself to other people, give yourself compliments and praise yourself. When you're in the habit of comparing yourself, it can be difficult to stop. But understand your self-worth and accept yourself.