Mindful self-care tips to manage cabin fever this P2-HA.
Just as we were making good progress on improving the COVID-19 situation here in Singapore, life throws us a curveball and we’re now back into our second “Phase 2 – Heightened Alert (P2-HA)” of the year. And even though it’s the second time we’re going through this, it never gets any easier.
Here are 5 tips on mindfulness that we can adopt to help us through the next 4 weeks. In the meantime, try not to go stir-crazy at home.
1. Healthy meal preps
With P2-HA measures in place and dining out not being an option, try incorporating healthier options into your daily meals by prepping the food yourself. Make it an adventure by going grocery shopping and selecting items which have the “Healthier Choice” label. Skip the junk food aisles (we know it’s hard…). Instead, pick food items such as fatty fish, nuts, proteins and fresh fruit and vegetables. When you’re eating healthier, your body naturally feels more energised and your immune system will get stronger too.
2. Simple workout routines
Set aside 30 minutes daily to do some stretching or light workouts, especially if you’re working from home and are sedentary most of the time. It’s important to maintain some semblance of activity to keep your body in good health. Apart from that, try to take a short break from work every 1-2 hours by walking around for a few minutes. You’ll notice that by doing so, you’ll be less prone to body aches too.
3. Skincare self-care
Just because there’s less of a reason to head out now, don’t skimp on, or worse still, skip your skincare routine. Use this as a chance to engage in some self-care! Pick out a mask and lie back while you pamper yourself. Or go all out and rejuvenate your skin with a 10-step glowing skin routine since mask-off services are currently unavailable.
4. Meditation/Self-Reflection
Sometimes, it’s important to listen to what your body, mind and heart need. As we power through the day with work and life, we tend to neglect ourselves and not realise that we’re treating ourselves poorly. Take a few minutes each day to reflect on the day’s happenings or to meditate and introduce some zen into your daily routine. Doing so can also help to destress and lighten your spirits. Mental health is underrated and we need to intentionally set some time out for ourselves to recharge and rejuvenate.
5. Sleep well, live better
Sleep is essential, not just to re-energise ourselves, but also for healthy brain function. Poor sleep can result in us being cranky, lethargic and less focused at work. However, what many of us fail to notice is that our pre-bedtime actions can affect our sleep. Steer clear of activities that stimulate your brain at least 30 minutes before bedtime. This includes activities such as watching TV, using your mobile phone, or even reading. Set a wind down routine for yourself every evening before bed – sip on a warm mug of caffeine-free tea and relax with some chill tunes. You’ll find that over time, your sleep quality will improve and you’ll be more energised to take on the challenges each day brings!
Now remember, try not to head out during this P2-HA period and if you have to do so, make sure to mask up and keep a safe distance from others. Together, we can make it through these tough times! Stay safe everyone!
In Good Hands,
Estetica
