It’s difficult to go any where without hearing something about covid-19. Feeling anxiety around the coronavirus is common but it’s important to focus on self-care during this uncertain time.

In the midst of this global pandemic, we’ve been instructed to practice ‘social distancing.’ Because of this, people are now staying at home and avoiding public spaces as much as possible in order to limit its spread and keep the healthcare system from flooding.

While you’re doing your part to help stop the spread of Covid-19, it’s also important to take care of yourself in the process. In fact, implementing healthy self-care strategies, you can not only boost your mental health, but can also help to decrease your anxiety during this uncertain time.

Here are some self-care tips to help with anxiety surrounding Coronavirus:

Keep Moving

Locking yourself in your home, watching tv, and lounging on the couch is awesome…for about 3 days. After that, it starts to get old and you might even start feeling a little cooped up.

While you may feel like you’re in lock-down, don’t let that keep you from adding physical activity to your routine. In fact, now is your time to switch it up and try different at-home workouts.

For instance, try out a HIIT workout from Fitness Blenders for a heart pounding sweat-fest or one of the thousands of yoga routines on YouTube. You can even learn a new skill like dancing from Steezy. In fact, they are currently offering a 7-day free trial. (Disclaimer: I don’t have any ties to Steezy besides the fact that I love to dance and use their platforms. I get no money or compensation).

By doing at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, you can harness all the benefits of physical fitness including increased blood flow, energy, and mood while decreasing your risk for a lot of diseases. Additionally, exercise increases your overall physical fitness which in turn boosts your immune system.

Keep a Routine

It’s easy to get a little lazy when it comes to scheduling when practicing social distancing. However, life doesn’t stop just because you’re working from home.

Try keeping a schedule as much as possible. Set an alarm for the same time every day and try to go to sleep at around the same time each night. I also recommend writing out a loose schedule the night before, that way you have some direction for the next day.

Learn Something New

Being stuck in your apartment gives you the perfect opporitunity to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. While we may not be able to go out and grab a drink with friends, we can use this time to try something new!

If you’re craving human connection, try downloading Tandem. This language learning app allows you to connect with people from around the world while learning a new language.

Eat Healthy and Drink Water

While laying on the couch eating a bag of chips is something I never pass up, try to opting for more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet and drink enough water. Not only is it good for your immune system, having a healthy diet helps boost your energy levels.

Journal

With all the uncertainty and added anxiety that this global pandemic has has, doing things that are good for your mental health are vital. Because of this, keeping a journal is easy to do and has surprising benefits to your mental health.

For example, journaling has the ability to evoke mindfulness, help you achieve your goals, increase your emotional intelligence, and even boost your self-confidence.

Try writing in a journal for at least 5-10 minutes a day. This can be as simple as jotting down a few bullet points of things that happened or how you feel.

Keep in Touch

Just because you can’t physically be with someone doesn’t mean that you can’t keep in touch. Reach out to friends and family via text, call, and video chat. Check in with loved ones; a short chat can do wonders for both people’s mental health.

Keeping in contact with people you care about is a great way to practice self-care, decrease your anxiety, and boost your mood in the midst of the coronavirus.

Set up an at Home Spa Day

We all need to take a break and relax. One night a week set up a little at home spa ritual. Turn off your phone, put on a relaxing playlist, and light candles, and focus on relaxation.

By doing a face mask, bubble bath, or any other at home spa treatment, it can help you de-stress, disconnect with the stressful things happening in the world, revitalize your skin, and boost your mood and energy levels.

Unplug

With everything going on in the world, it’s almost impossible not to increase your anxiety when you look at any news outlet or social media platform. While it’s important to stay informed, try turning off your phone for around an hour a day to take some time for yourself and recharge.

While the coronavirus can be scary, it’s important to practice self-care in order to help decrease your anxiety during this uncertain time.

Friendly Reminder

If you have the opportunity to work from home, please do so. When you practice social distancing, you can save lives. Please don’t hoard supplies like hand sanitizer or toilet paper because you are leaving those in at-risk populations like the elderly or those with compromized immune systems with no necessary supplies. Remember: When we all work together, we can get through anything that comes our way.

For more self -care tips to help with anxiety, check out this article or sign up for our email list to get 30 days of self-care ideas!