during the pandemic, i’ve taken “treat yo self” and “self care sunday” very seriously. perhaps a little too seriously on the treating myself thing - hence #mmnobuyjuly, and what will likely be a #stopspendingseptember (aka so I don’t spend my entire paycheck on cardigans).

but the reality of the situation is, we’re in scary, complicated times. with the rising numbers of the pandemic, schools opening, people acting like this virus doesn’t exist, an upcoming election, rampant social injustice, and also like…the climate…times are HARD. staying physically, mentally, and emotionally well is proving to be more difficult than ever.

here are a few things that i’ve been doing to help me focus on staying healthy in all aspects of my day to day life in this wild time!

1. put the phone down

   I put downtime on my phone between 10pm and 7am for every weekday. This stops me from being on my phone too late. I’ve been going to bed by 10:30 for the most part recently, and stops me from scrolling through social media first thing in the morning.

2. sweat it out

   doing something physical everyday has been really helpful. right before my gym closed due to the virus, I was working out every day, and feeling motivated and great. once lockdown started, I admittedly stopped exercising and doing anything to really move my body. we ordered a peloton at the end of june, and before it arrived at the end of august, I used the app almost daily for guided walks, runs, HIIT workouts, and stretches. now that the bike is here, I absolutely love it! i’m still getting used to it, but it’s been so fun taking classes from home, and there’s something for everyone and every level! right now, i’m really enjoying classes from Emma and Tunde!

3. talk it out

   whether it’s a phone call with a friend, a session with your therapist, or a virtual game night with your family, talk to someone. not a text, but actually hearing someone else’s voice. one other thing that we’ve all learned lately is that life is just too short. pick up the phone and call whomever is on your heart.

4. craft/get creative

   finding something to get creative is definitely crucial. I love doodling in procreate, making beaded bracelets, crocheting, and writing. when I don’t want any screen time, I genuinely like coloring books/pages. it sounds so juvenile, but they make ones that aren’t directed towards children.

5. curate your environment/create your space!

   especially since we’re home all the time now, making your space feel like you is crucial. at the start of quarantine, I repainted my room, and that was a big step already. I’ve added art, plants, and decor that just make it really feel like my space. i’ve done a few other little projects around the house that’ve made it feel like the cozy space of my dreams. I will say that these little upgrades helped me find motivation from home, and being able to enjoy my environment has truly helped me stay sane during this time. also since fall is the season of cozy, i’m really about to be in my element, and yes, i’ve already lit my fall candles.

6. set a goal/intention every day

   even if the goal is to get out of bed - give yourself an attainable goal every day. it helps me stay motivated and feel productive, even if I don’t do one thousand things that day.

7. read something for fun, and turn off the news.

   the news cycle is relentless and draining. i’m not saying to avoid being informed - PLEASE STAY INFORMED - but cut yourself a break after a while. turn the news notifications off of your phone, pick up a book just for fun. some light hearted fiction.

8. fuel your body

   stay hydrated. seriously, drink your water. eat your veggies. if you’re in a position to get your groceries delivered, opt for healthy choices and make sure you always have some fruit and veggies on hand. if you’re shopping for your groceries in person, make sure that you aren’t just grabbing the quick + easy meals. make sure you’re eating the rainbow and getting in the nutrients you need. with our diets changing so much in the past few months, making sure i’m realllly getting all of those good vitamins in has been super important to me. I take a care/of pack every morning (including vitamin C and a probiotic), and for the past week, i’ve been incorporating more turmeric into my diet with golde’s superfood latte blends. between dairy sensitivity, eczema, and TMJ, having a good balance of anti-inflammatories in my system is super important for me!

   right now, I try to have 3 vegetarian days a week, and have been incorporating more plant-based alternatives into my diet anyway. for anyone looking to cut out dairy, I 10/10 recommend oatly's or plant oat’s oat milk as a great place to start.

9. keep up with your bodycare routine

   being mindful about what goes in your body is one thing, but it’s also important to stay on top of what goes on your body. i’ve been really focused on my skincare routine lately, doing my face masks at least once a week (depending on what my skin needs), and using only clean products that won’t trigger my eczema. masks, jade rolling, gua sha, have been bigger parts of my routine than usual throughout quarantine. I had to do an overhaul of my body care products once I found out about all of my allergies/eczema, and i’m so glad to see that companies have been making it easier for people with sensitivities like me to get useful products that are safe to use! briogeo’s new Be Gentle, Be Kind line has been great for my hair.

   I also decided to start taking baths to relax? i’m really not a bath person, but I recently bought a bath caddy, bath pillow, and lavender eye pillow, and ummmm yes I will 100% be doing this from now on every Friday. I also ordered a coconut milk bath powder and I can’t wait for Friday already.