Have you heard that September is National Self-Care Awareness Month? This month should be a time to focus on establishing habits devoted to caring for yourself and developing new techniques to help ensure you are treating yourself right. This may seem difficult even in a normal year, with jam-packed daily routines and the demands of children, parents, spouses, and pets that leave little room for self-care. Now, those stressors may be at an all-time high after six months of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now more than ever it can be important to make room in your day for some time that is just about you. Self-care can mean any number of things that would make you feel happier, healthier, and more content in your life. Let us take a moment to talk about some important steps for taking better care of yourself during a pandemic.
- Treat yourself to quality sleep. Getting enough sleep and making time for healthy, balanced meals can both be critical. If you feel chronically tired, try committing to a better sleep environment. Replace old pillows and find some sheets that are cool and silky smooth. Make sure the windows are covered so errant light does not stream in when you would rather be asleep. Turn off electronics an hour before bed and get into bed at the same time each evening.
- Feed yourself right. Once you have started, these new sleep habits can become second nature, and you may be doing yourself a world of good. Better-rested people tend to be happier and more productive during the day, and you may find that you have more energy for preparing healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks rather than relying on take-out and processed foods that make you feel sluggish.
- Find exercise you enjoy. When you are home all the time during a pandemic it can be difficult to feel energetic without a change of scenery now and again. Self-care in the form of exercise can be a great way to change things up and improve both your physical well-being and your mood. Remember, self-care should feel good. If you hate high-intensity workouts, consider something besides running sprints or lifting weights. A morning walk with the family dog before other people in your household awake, spent listening to your favorite music, can make starting your day feel like an indulgent treat, shared only by you and your furry family member.
- Socialize smart. If you feel like you never get a moment to yourself with other family members surrounding you in the house all day, taking five minutes to sit alone and meditate in the morning can be wonderful self-care. On the other hand, if you live alone and have been feeling socially isolated, making a habit of reaching out to a friend or family member and having some quality FaceTime after dinner is equally important and a great way to practice self-care.
Even though we all may be more physically apart than ever before, we are all in this together. Our office is here to help you and your loved ones with your legal issues, even in the middle of a global pandemic. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.