Self-care is an important part of mental and physical well-being. Maintaining self-care habits such as getting good sleep and staying socially connected can help you manage stress, build resilience, and stay healthy.
Self-care isn’t just about rest and relaxation. It’s about finding balance and satisfaction using strategies that work for your personality and interests.
Keeping self-care routines can be difficult during chaotic, uncertain times — but that’s also when self-care is most important. For those who like to be active and hate sitting still, physical distancing and other COVID-19 guidelines can make practicing self-care seem especially impossible and overwhelming.
Here are just a few self-care strategies you can explore if you’re someone with a lot of energy who enjoys being active:
Take Scheduled Breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout your day can help prevent fatigue while also helping you maintain productivity, creativity, and motivation. Schedule regular breaks into your routine to get out of your chair and away from your screen. You can stretch, do yoga, or go for a 5-minute jog–whatever activity you enjoy that will help you feel restored and refreshed, mentally and physically.
Be A Kid Again
Self-care isn’t just about meditation and good sleep. It’s about practicing habits and cultivating a mindset that supports your well-being. If you’re having trouble thinking of energy-exerting ways to practice self-care, try thinking like a kid. Play your favorite tunes and have a solo dance party in your living room. Pretend the floor is lava and create an indoor obstacle course. Play hide and seek in the dark with those you live with. Go on a scavenger hunt around your home.
Do things that make you laugh. Laughter helps deactivate your stress response, decrease tension, relax muscles, and improve your mental state.
[Related: Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids]
Stay Physically Distant, Not Socially Distant
Maintaining valued human connections is important for your overall well-being. Thanks to technology, you can stay socially active while maintaining physical distancing guidelines. If you’re someone who loves being part of a hiking group, playing on a team, or going to gym classes, find creative ways to maintain those social connections and preferred activities. Plan group workout nights via video chat or take a walk while talking on the phone with a friend.
Use Free Resources to Stay Active
While most gyms are still closed, there are many free resources you can use to stay active from home. YouTube has a plethora of workout videos from Zumba to barre tutorials. Many companies like Peloton and Orangetheory Fitness also provide free trials and resources that you can explore.
Work With Your Hands
Engage your hands and mind with creative activities you can easily do from home. Doing origami, learning an instrument, or painting can be relatively short activities you can enjoy on a daily basis. Creative activities like these can also provide you with a fun challenge and opportunities for growth and self-reflection.
Recharge So You Can Stay Active
While you may hate sitting still, it’s still important to find ways to recharge so you can stay active. This includes practices like getting good quality sleep, stretching regularly, and using strategies that help you feel relaxed so your body can rest when it needs to. When your body and mind are well-rested, you’re better able to participate in the energy-expending activities you love.