12 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Physically and Mentally When You’re Stuck at Home

About seventy-five percent of the days (since we’ve been Social Distancing ourselves) I’ve been wearing pajamas. As comfortable as that seems, it can definitely bring on depression and anxiety for me. It makes me feel extra trapped and without any real plans. When I get the opportunity to shower, get dressed (even if it’s only into a bra, tee shirt, and yoga pants), and maybe do a skin care regimen; I tend to feel better. My spirits are lifted and I feel more energized. What we physically do impacts how we feel mentally. Therefore, we need to take care of ourselves! We can’t care for others without caring for ourselves first. I know that’s easier said than done.

There are many ways we can treat ourselves and take care to help lift our spirits and dopamine levels during this time of being socially isolated. I will be listing them below with links and suggestions. Some I have tried, and some I WANT to try or will be trying! My list consists of all ways to treat yo’self at home.

1.Get Dressed and Dressed up: I know it seems silly, but getting dressed, even if it’s just in exercise clothing can boost your mood. If you currently have the means, then order yourself an outfit from a boutique or Amazon to brighten up your wardrobe and your mood! As for getting Dressed up you can have an in home date night with your significant other. Give the kids some snacks and whatever electronic device or movie that will keep them busy. A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she did this and it helped ease her anxieties about what’s happening in the World right now.

2. Skincare and Makeup: Sometimes I feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it comes to my face with skincare/makeup and without. Whenever I am feeling like Mr. Hyde is showing his ugly face, I try out a skincare regimen and put on some new makeup. You DO NOT have to go anywhere to put on makeup. Sometimes it’s just nice to look beautiful and feel beautiful for yourself. Here are two of my favorite skincare and makeup vendors: Laura Tocci with Rodan & Fields https://lauratocci.myrandf.com and Nicki Botsford with Mary Kay
http://www.marykay.com/nbotsford
http://www.facebook.com/groups/nbots Check them out for some great deals, and great ways to take care of your skin.

3. Haircare: Please please please do NOT cut your own hair during Social Distancing! Say NO to bangs! I have several hair stylist friends who cringe when people say they will be cutting their own hair. In the meantime, there are ways to keep your hair healthy and stylish. I personally use and believe in using Monat. Two Market Partners that I know and trust with my haircare are Kelli Yeomans https://www.facebook.com/groups/472897076413480/?ref=share and Kathleen Coll https://www.facebook.com/groups/385405545428019/?ref=share. Both ladies have fun haircare groups for you to join. As far as stylists go Kim Taglienti is amazing with hair. She has a lot of fun styles you can check out, as well as videos to watch. Here’s her Instagram account: http://Www.instagram.com/tagyourhair

4. Vitamins and Essential Oils: I have personally used essential oils for migraines and sleep in the past. They were definitely useful. I can honestly say that I have been slacking on taking Vitamins and probably should get back into taking them. Especially during this pandemic. Christina Blanco http://www.myyl.com/Christina-blanco is a Young Living representative. She even creates her own vitamins and makeup with Essential Oils!

5. Intimacy: While I one hundred percent know that intimacy isn’t always possible when you’re a parent (especially when your children are ALWAYS there because… we’re trapped here); there are ways to build it up until you can make time. Photographer Karen Rainier shoots all types of spectacular photographs, but one of her specialities is Boudoir. In Karen’s private Facebook group. You can go to her website http://www.velvetandsuedeboudoir.com and click the Community tab. In the group Karen will be demonstrating how to take a sexy selfie with your phone. Something my husband and I try to do, is send each other sexy messages and pictures. It helps keep the intimacy alive until we can make it happen (thanks 6 year old and 1 year old). Check out Karen’s Instagram for some sexy inspiration. Also, intimacy doesn’t have to be about your significant other. It can simply be about feeling good in your own skin.

6. Exercise: I know it isn’t what you wanted to read. Well, me either. However, exercise of any kind boosts dopamine levels (like mentioned earlier). Exercise will make you happy and healthy. It’s a two for one deal. My advice. Find something you actually like doing. For example, I really like going on walks with my kids. When the weather is Sunny and the wind is just right, walking is a perfect way to exercise. My sister Georgeen Bevidas is a former health and wellness coach. She has her degree in Psychology, and currently oversees an entire department at the Salvation Army. You can learn more about her and how she lost 60 lbs and beat cancer. Join her motivational waking group https://www.facebook.com/groups/220852365699756/?ref=share and get your mind and body ready to be the best you that you can be.

7. Nail care: I know many of us are missing going to the nail salon. I currently am a nail biter (thanks Anxiety), so my nails are awful. I am starting to train my brain not to do this (especially since we’re supposed to keep our hands out of our mouths). At least I wash my hands countless times per day. Anyway, back to nail care. Give yourself a personal manicure and pedicure the easy way. Rebecca Ashworth is a Color Street representative. There are a multitude of options and they are super easy to apply. The best part, NO DRY TIME! Once they’re on you’re finished! Check out her Facebook group for more information https://www.facebook.com/groups/2336514523042691/?ref=share.

8. Lists and/or Journaling: For me, making lists helps ease my stress. It helps me understand what specifically needs to completed. This way I can stay on task and check off items on my list. Something about putting that slash through a task on the list sends that dopamine straight to my brain! Journaling is something therapists often tell their patients to do in order to get their feelings out of their brain. As a blogger, journaling is one of my favorite pastimes. When I was younger I would journal extensively. Once I had kids it didn’t happen nearly as often. However, now that I found my passion for writing again, I’m back at it full force. Journaling has been keeping my panic attacks at bay. Being able to get my feelings out in the open has helped me take care of myself tremendously.

9. Crafting: One of my other hobbies is crafting. I have a part time at home business https://www.facebook.com/DignenDesigns/ where I make specialized crafts, shirts, etc. However, during the Coronavirus pandemic I’ve taken a little hiatus. One of the reasons is that my husband is using my craft space as his office while he’s working from home. Another reason is that people tend to buy crafts and specialized attire for other people to see them! Currently we’re not supposed to be near other people, so that tends to dampen the business. If you have the materials at home to create something beautiful. Go for it! It will lower your stress levels and help you focus. Bonus! You can do this with your kids! Although, that may make your stress levels rise.

10. Wellness Applications: Calm is a very popular wellness application. It helps you focus on happiness through meditation. Happiness equals healthy. Healthy equals being able to deal with the awful situation that we have been dealt.

11. Girls Night In: Do you like wine? Do you like alcohol? If so, pour yourself a beverage and get on Zoom or Facebook Messenger and have a Girls Night In! Basically, you and some of your favorite girlfriends have a video conference call while having a cocktail. Best part, you don’t have to leave your couch or wear anything fancy. In fact, put on a pore reducing face mask, your most comfy pajamas, and enjoy! With Social Distancing, many of us are missing our friends. This is a great way to safely connect with each other and get some of what we’re missing from socializing.

12. Sleep: Yes, get some Zzzzz’s. Sleep is extremely important to help your brain relax. If you need help getting your body ready for sleep. Check out the Essential Oils portion of the article and contact Christina. If you’re like me, put on any movie at all and within five minutes you’ll be off to snooze land. Either way, sleep will help you feel like a better you.

We live in an era with a whirlwind of technology and knowledge. Let’s embrace what we can when we can. Take advantage of whatever you can to help you feel more like you. We do not have a choice in what is happening around us, but we do have a choice in how we react. Take care of yourself first, so that you can take care of everyone else too.