Self Care for the Quarantine Life

These days are different from the everyday we once knew. These days are troubled, wreaking of fear and hysteria as the COVID-19 virus makes it’s way across the globe and throughout our communities.

Many people have lost their jobs, others have had a drastic switch in how they work. For me, and others still working, our methodology of how we treat our patients has changed. This quarantine and impending doom is hard on everyone. It’s hard on the front line workers. It’s hard of the individuals that struggle with being home and not out in social groups. It’s hard on the parents who are now in charge of their children’s education in a whole new way.

We all cope differently. I have experience in self isolation and prolonged periods without direct contact with others. I couldn’t afford to leave for holiday break, so I’d spend mine on the island watching people’s pets. So perhaps that was life’s way of training me to handle these days easier.

Either way, we all have to find what helps us cope. For me, it’s simple things.

Get Plenty of Sleep: My work days are exhausting. Going to work in times like these isn’t always simple. But I’m still thankful for a job. So I try to get sleep. Sleep helps to reset the mind and soul. Sleep helps to quiet the fears in our lives… Sometimes coming by the sleep can be difficult. So have a bedtime routine to help get you to sleep and stay asleep.

Stay Connected: The most important thing to remember throughout these days, weeks and upcoming months… is that you are not alone. Every single person in the world is in this together. Everyone is affected in one way or another. And together we can find ways to combat this disease. Together we can survive.

Keep a routine: Whether you are currently unemployed, working from home, or part of the essential workforce… create a routine. And then work to stick to it. Something that is important about self care regardless of the days ahead, is creating a routine to ensure that you are taking care of yourself, your needs, and your responsibilities. Having a routine will help you get through each day without losing your mind, or track of the days.

Be Productive: With each of us spending more time in our homes than we were before it means all those pesky projects we have been putting off can finally get worked on. Spring cleaning? Lets do it. Decluttering and minimalizing your crap? I’m game. Getting healthy meals on the table? Let’s work on it. Whatever your “productive” looks like, lets get started. After all, we’ve got the time right now.

Make health a priority: This one’s big for me. 2020 is the year of getting my body back on track. Between the gym, naturopathic medicine, and setting boundaries in life I’m working towards the healthier version of me. So this whole quarantine is not allowed to ruin that. While I can’t be certain I wont get this virus… I can ensure that I’m the healthiest version of myself in order to fight it off. Sleep, hydration, good nutrition, and a healthy mindset all play a role in the healthier me. What’s your healthier you? Now if only I can jumpstart the weight loss along with the rest of these healthier lifestyle things….

However you are spending your quarantine life… make it a great one. But a separate one. Or at least six feet separate. We’re all in this… together… just 6 feet apart.

Stay healthy. Stay home.