How to Treat Yourself — and Your Anxiety — During Quarantine

Self-care is the name of the game during this period of social distancing. It’s hard for everyone to get out of bed only to face down another day of staying inside. We miss our friends, we miss going to work, and we miss aimlessly window shopping with a great coffee in hand.

Social distancing measures are key in flattening the curve, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Most of us have had our lives completely upended as we struggle to beat back the feelings of cabin fever slowly setting in. It’s during times like these that self-care is more important than ever.

Self-care can take many forms. Most people think that self-care consists of nothing but bath bombs and a great face mask, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes to self-care, maintaining your health, both physically and mentally, is key.

If you’re starting to go a little stir crazy, here are some of the top ways you can treat yourself — and your mental health — during this period of social distancing.

Don’t neglect the beauty of a great routine

It might be tempting to start drinking wine at noon, but this might not be the best for your mental health.

Studies have shown that establishing a routine is key in helping your mental health thrive during social distancing orders. Try to wake up at the same time each day, have a healthy breakfast, and get to work on a project or two. This is key for folks without a job right now but it’s doubly important for those who are able to work from home. It can be stressful to be put under the pressure of a job right now on top of everything else. Take it one day at a time and try to work out a routine to prevent one day from bleeding into the next.

Treat yourself to something new

We can’t window shop, but we can certainly shop online.

It might not be the same as traversing your local target, but you can still find some great deals online. Now is a great time to look for online deals on some of your favorite items. You can also look for items that last you a long time. Did you know that alpaca fibers are so strong that they measure 50 N/ktex? If you’re looking for something practical and adorable, something like an alpaca scarf is perfect for cool spring weather.

If you can, you should also shop locally to the best of your ability. Many small businesses are struggling right now, but they are also offering online orders and deliveries to make up for the reduction in business.

Invest in yourself

When you’re bored during quarantine, you can always start working on yourself!

Now is the perfect time to experiment with crazy hair ‘dos you’ve always wanted to try. It’s also a great time to play around with makeup, pick up a new hobby, or rekindle an old hobby that you haven’t had time for over the years. Many people are laying on the couch during quarantine but a growing number are trying out yoga for the first time and improving their fitness. Just be careful since as many as 40% of dental injuries in kids happen because of sports. If you’re trying out a new home workout, take it slow and stay safe.

Just like self-care looks different for everyone, investing in yourself will also look different. Some people might jump on the hobby train while others will try out online counseling for the first time. Improving yourself is a walk, not a run, but reflecting on what you’d like to change is the first step of the process.

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to indulge at this time. But shelling a little money for a new beauty product or self-care book can help make quarantine a little more bearable. California’s temporary disability claims can reach up to more than $5,000 per month while unemployment check amounts hover around your usual monthly income. Once you’re done paying off the necessities, you can start investing in yourself.

Keep in mind that it’s also okay to do nothing! You don’t have to be productive every day of quarantine. Sometimes, the best form of self-care is realizing that you need a break. Listen to your body and try to focus on taking this one day at a time.

Make plans for the future

There’s no denying that we have a lot of time on our hands. If you have a lot of pent-up energy, you can put this to good use by planning a future trip or making plans for the future. This is an especially good idea for people who have had to reschedule trips because of the virus.

After all, prices are pretty low right now when it comes to finding flights overseas. Now is a great opportunity to do some research into a new location and set up the best itinerary. It also gives you the added benefit of shopping for cute clothes online. After all, you want to look great on your trip when quarantine is done. You deserve to show off.

Self-care looks different for everyone. Some people might want to shop while others just want to maintain a semi-active lifestyle indoors. When you’re feeling stir-crazy, rely on these tips to treat yourself and your mental health.