Need some self-care practices to adopt during your shelter in place? Looking for a few healthy habits you adopted during this time that you want to continue for normal life? Grab this quick list of my top recommendations for mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially healthy lives at home.
Also, can I just quickly mention that I do not really like the term “self-care?” It has this “me first” connotation that I really find unbiblical. Jesus called us to lay down our lives. We give up control of our lives when we surrender to His Lordship. Sometimes He asks us to give and give and give to others without getting anything in return. (I love this podcast that dives deeper into this subject!)
If you want some true “self care,” go read the Bible and pray. Let Him fill you up so that you can pour our your life for Him. That’s going to look different for everyone, but the point remains.
I use the term “self care” here because people recognize that term. While I might not like the “me me me” mentality often associated with that term, I do highly regard living a life that is healthy and balanced in every way (physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, etc.). Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to take care of them as best as we are able.
So, what are my top self-care recommendations for a shelter in place order? Here we go!
7 Essential Self-Care Practices for Shelter in Place
1. Establish Routines
Want to make sure you don’t sit on the couch spending hours scrolling your phone, only to look up and realize you’ve done nothing all day at home? Establish a solid morning and evening routine.
My morning routine generally involves work or a workout, coffee, Bible study and prayer, and a shower before my kids wake up.
My morning at home with the kids involves breakfast and Bible reading, a school lesson for my four year old, and then play time for them while I do a few chores or take care of a bit of work. Then we get dressed and play until lunch.
We have the day structured and framed with different activities that we can look forward to and help spark creativity. It’s not a rigid schedule, and it can change from day to day, but the kids and I all like to know what we’re doing in a day.
My evening routine involves reading, dishes, laundry, putting the house back together, and making the coffee for the morning. I also take care of any household items or work I need to finish up. I love waking up to a house that’s put together and ready to go for another day. It keeps me calm and happy.
2. Determine Your WFH Wardrobe
Like it or not, your appearance affects your mentality. I mean, I get pooped on regularly, so you won’t see me in my stilettos at home or anything. I certainly wear my fair share of yoga pants. However, taking time to shower, get dressed, and put a little effort into your appearance has very far reaching mental benefits. If you want to lift your mood and improve your focus and motivation for daily tasks, take a few minutes to put yourself together just a little. Even if I never go anywhere in a day, I shower, get dressed, and do my hair and makeup (even minimally!).
3. Create
Does it take more energy to make a craft than it does to watch Netflix? Yes, initially, but it gives so much more than it takes. 100% worth it every time. I will be the first to tell you that I’m not a naturally creative person. Some people just ooze creativity. I’m a little too structured and regimented to get there. And yet, creating things refreshes and recharges me. I happily enjoy card making, hand lettering, knitting, cooking, and baking without leaving the four walls of my house. I engage a different part of my brain than I do throughout my day when I embrace something creative, and I rest while at the same time feel stimulated.
Don’t worry, everyone. This is an old picture of my people, long before social distancing. Besides, they are way more than 6 ft. away from the people in the background. And those people are my in-laws anyway. 😉
4. Practice “Nature Travel”
That’s a fancy way of saying, “get some fresh air.” Take a walk, go for a run, ride a bike, or just sit in the sunshine. It’s been so nice seeing so many people walking through our neighborhood the past couple of weeks. (I want a sign that says, “We’ve been doing ‘family walk’ since before it was cool.”) I hope people are realizing how good it feels (physically and mentally) to just take a walk outside and will continue doing it!
5. Consider a Social Media and/or News Detox
Consider your mood when you finish using social media or reading the news. If you’re grumpy, worried, stressed, anxious, or jealous, just take a break! Don’t worry. The algorithms will make sure you don’t miss anything “big” when you check it the next day. The past few weeks, I’ve been enjoying taking Sundays “off” from social media. I still answer my phone. I just don’t hop on Facebook or Instagram, and, I gotta say, it has been a great decision! This challenge provided the mental space I’ve needed to dive in more with my family or to reach out to loved ones far away.
6. Cook Real Food at Home
People are, obviously, eating many more meals at home than they were a few weeks ago. While this means more dishes, it also means an opportunity to tackle some new cooking techniques and focus on eating real food. Get creative and try something new. My rules for when you mess it up? Call it something else and cook again for the next meal. It’s no big deal!
7. Lean Into Family Time
As a (mostly) stay-at-home mom, I know how to be home with my kids all day without being with them. Somehow it’s much easier to fill the calendar with appointments and classes and events than it is to make a fort in the living room. However, when I let myself turn off my “to-do list” and play with them, or listen to all their little chats, it usually ends up being my favorite thing I did all day. So, let’s lean into our families, whether that means cars on the carpet or calling Grandma in her retirement home, and let’s keep doing that. Let’s not let “busy” (or “bored!”) get in the way of relationships.
Drop me a line!