In a time of self-isolation and raging boredom, self-care is more important than ever.
But what exactly is self-care in the first place? To start, it’s an essential part of health and wellness that is easily overlooked by many, including myself, on most days. Self-care is about making yourself an active participant in your happiness, not just your physical health.
While people may think health means physical wellness, it’s a multidimensional approach to everyday life. Emotional, financial, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual wellness are all a part of the “Wellness Wheel.” For me, this means I need to get to work on myself.
To help with quarantine and the boredom of self-isolation, I created a daily schedule. This schedule helps me keep all parts of my wellness in check regularly. As someone who needs structure in their life (classes, work, etc.) to avoid boredom and the overthinking that comes with, a schedule was the best option for me.
On my daily schedule, I build in time for quite a few different activities. It’s not a strict schedule; instead, I have a list of events I could come up with that I can do in any slots I mark as “free time.” In these free time or self-care spots, I can play video games, read, write, go for a walk, meditate, watch or listen to something, or even nap, among other activities.
Anything I can come up with is a free game; self-care, for me, is doing things I enjoy that stimulate or grow my mind or body in some way. And yes, napping is one of these! Just make sure it’s not all you do.
The only parts of my schedule I would say are must-haves for everyone are exercise, free time, and time for essential body and hygiene needs, such as eating and showering. Otherwise, deciding what to do every day is up to me, and whatever activity I feel is most beneficial for the particular moment.
One of my favorite things to do is play video games, and it ends up. I can do this with friends while still self-isolating. So, not only does playing video games help my emotional wellness, but also my social welfare. Another part of my schedule, exercising, I do while listening to the best audiobooks I can find, and right there in just one hour, I’m working on intellectual and physical wellness.
Self-care is more accessible than most people think. It’s not all about physical health and exercising, or doing something extreme. Instead, self-care is about what makes you feel good and keeps you feeling good during the quarantine.
