Have you found yourself saying no to the things you once loved doing? Feeling guilty about doing nothing on the weekends? Have you been avoiding group messages because you feel like your mind is just too clouded?
Are you constantly fidgeting about deadlines? Have you ever wound up not being able to separate work from your me-time because of this whole WFH setup?
When was the last time you fixed yourself up?
Every aspect of our health has been negatively affected by the pandemic and the lockdowns that never seem to end. Being stuck in our homes sounded like a well-deserved vacation at first, but because we no longer have any control over our thoughts, the fatigue is setting in and we’re feeling it hard.
So how about taking some time off your day to practice self-care?
Now, you might feel guilt creeping in as you choose yourself first before others. But the reality is—there’s nothing to be sorry about. There is nothing wrong with making self-care a priority. After all, nobody else is ever going to take better care of you than yourself.
Here are five simple yet fruitful ways to practice the art of self-care:
One Positive Thought A Day Drives The Worries Away
Mornings are sacred and when you open your day with even just one positive thought, your outlook changes for the better. Start your day with morning affirmations. Here are just some of our favorites to help you out:
- I have all I need to make today a great day.
- I am happy and content with my life.
- I am, and always will be, enough.
- I have it within me to solve any challenges that occur today.
- I have all that I need to make today awesome.
- I feel healthy and strong today.
Knowing your purpose at the start of the day fuels you up and keeps the negative thoughts you may have at bay. Couple that with deep breathing exercises and a few stretches and you’ll be ready to take on the day!
Hello, Hobby!
Stress will be ever-present in our lives if we allow it. Take things into your hands by choosing to do hobbies and activities that will help ease your mind off of things. Bring a fun and positive force into your life by doing something you enjoy.
Heed the advice of the plantitos and plantitas and grow yourself a garden. If you still have your old iPod with you, reminisce and dance to the songs you kept on loop when you were younger. Do the simplest things such as reading a book, playing a boardgame, or listening to a new podcast or getting a color by numbers workbook. Learn a new instrument, look for your mom’s recipes and bake a cake or two or twenty—the list goes on.
Do something new or do something that you absolutely love doing—stress will find its way out.
Various board games await you at UNWND
Take time to slow down, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and dessert, while you write,
read or enjoy your favorite podcast
Stay Well, Don’t Dwell
Your mental health is intrinsically tied to your physical health. Taking care of your body is taking care of your mind.
The reason why a lot of self-help articles and blogs talk about getting the right amount of sleep is because sleep improves your energy, productivity, memory and even your looks. Get that beauty rest and remember to unwind first before bedtime.
Naturally, eating right and exercising daily are great ways for you to up your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Switch up your routine by trying new exercises such as yoga, barre or jiu jitsu. You can also experiment with the food you eat by trying different yet healthy cuisines from all over the world.
Managing your physical health helps in clearing up the brain fog that you may have been experiencing due to the extended lockdowns.
Work a sweat in The Boiler Room rooftop gym
Delight in healthy and tasty dishes like this Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with a tangy,
savory dressing balanced with crisp, fresh vegetables and sweet fruit
Look For Something To Look Forward To
As we have been stuck in the same place for quite some time, we don’t have anything to look forward to anymore. We don’t have parties or movie nights with friends, dates with loved ones, all those things that made us giddy inside.
That’s why we need to create something to look forward to and we’ve got some suggestions!
- Set up a Zoom date with your closest friends. Try out jackbox.tv or kahoot.it to make it even more exciting!
- Watch your plants or flowers grow or bloom. Trust us, it’s so rewarding to see them in all their full glory.
- Plan a very safe trip around your localities. Opt for a city stay or discover new places you haven’t been to before.
- Grab a cocktail or two at the UNWND Roofdeck. There’s no better way to relax than with good drinks, delicious food, and great conversations, all while basking in the beauty of Makati’s skyline.
Practice social distance without being distant from family and close friends
at the al fresco UNWND Roofdeck
Ease Your Mind, Unwind
Self-care is a continuous process and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. There’s nothing more comforting than physically removing yourself from your current environment and allowing yourself to experience something different.
Traveling is one of the best ways to unwind as it opens up your mind and quiets all the aches and pains you may be harboring. It is also a self-care practice as traveling gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself while getting out of your comfort zone. Through this, you get to experience things from a newer and fresher perspective.
Go out there! Visit local spots that have yet to be discovered, but do so safely and cautiously.
With the state the world is in these days, you have to be kinder to yourself. Self-care isn’t selfish so choose yourself today.