According to Aristotle, "Man is by nature a social animal," and if you have ever doubted that for even a moment, just practice social distancing for a few weeks and see if you don't start craving the company of others real quick. It's true that some of us are more wired to thrive while practicing social distancing, but even those of us who consider ourselves homebodies, loners, or introverts start jonesing for what used to be our everyday interactions with others. Social distancing may be good for our collective health when we are trying to prevent the spread of diseases, but it takes a toll on our mental health. We aren't used to it, and it can feel unnatural, which is why we need to do whatever we can to keep our spirits up.
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Before we get to the suggestions we've put together on things we can all do to feel better in the midst of social distancing, it's important to mention that these are things that will help if your spirits need a boost. They are not meant to take the place of getting actual mental health care from professionals when needed. If you find that you are feeling more than a little down and feel consistently depressed on more days than not, please reach out to your health care providers. They can help you find the mental health care that you need.
As for the things you can do to make yourself feel better, we've got some great suggestions, if we do say so ourselves. They are all fairly simple things that don't require much time, money, or even effort. They are all just ways to pamper ourselves and use this time to learn how to care for ourselves. Pick and choose from the things that speak to you, or use them as inspiration to come up with your own rituals. You are the expert on you. Notice how certain things make you feel and take note. If the payoff is not there, then move on to doing something that has a better payoff.
Get up and make your bed.
Why bother making your bed when you might not even be leaving the house all day? Because you deserve to start your day with a clean slate. Making your bed signals the start of a new day. “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day,″ said Naval Admiral William H. McRaven and author of Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life during a University of Texas commencement speech. “It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”
Don’t stay in your pajamas 24/7.
Let’s be real: There is something nice about being able to stay in your pajamas all day…sometimes. But after the novelty of not having to change out of pajamas wears off, you really should ditch your pajamas and change into regular clothes. Why? Fashion critic for the Washington Post Robin Givhan has a theory that resonates with us. “So I think that when you stop using your clothing as a way to sort of create chapters in your life, it all starts to blur into one big sort of muddled sentence,” she said in an interview with NPR.
Get your body moving.
No, social distancing is not an excuse to stop exercising. Exercise has so many benefits: It helps you control your weight, it is good for your mental health, and it reduces your risks for so many diseases. Your body was meant to move and sweat. To keep it moving and sweating at home, check out these Latina fitness influencers on Instagram for inspiration.
Go to virtual events.
We live in a digital era, which means that we can attend events without leaving our homes. Entertainers have been doing a great job of providing concerts or live events online. Do a quick search online and mark your calendar for events you can partake in from the comfort of your own home.
Stay informed without overdoing it on your news consumption.
Yes, it is important to stay informed, but you only really need to do it once a day. It does you absolutely no good to constantly be checking the news. It's depressing, and you need a break from it. Would you let your child constantly consume bad news?
Enjoy some natural light.
Not getting enough natural light can lead to seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression. If you can't get outside to get some light, sit by a bright window for anywhere from five to 30 minutes. Natural light can help regulate your moods and even help you sleep better at night. Plus, it's FREE!
Have date nights.
Are you social distancing in the company of your significant other? If so, don't forget to nurture that relationship. You can still have date nights at home. Need ideas? Order takeout and dress up to enjoy it on your nicest plates. Go to the movies in your living room together after the kids have gone to bed. Gift each other with massages. The possibilities are endless.
Go on a virtual double date with friends.
Missing your couple friends? Schedule a double date with them online. Hang out, chat, laugh, and bond. Staying connected matters, and so does enjoying each other as a couple with other couples.
Keep meditating or start meditating.
If you already have a meditation practice, keep up with your practice. If you've always wanted to start meditating, do it. It doesn't matter if you are doing it while the kids are around. They can join you, or they can also simply respect that you are meditating and be next to you while leaving you in peace for a few minutes.
Take more baths than usual.
Showers are incredible, but there is something so incredibly soothing about taking a bath. It's like hitting "pause" on everything else, just so that you can soak in water. A shower can be incredibly invigorating, while a bath tends to be relaxing. Let yourself relax.
Get dressed up to go to the living room.
Remember that saying about being all dressed up with nowhere to go? We're thinking that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the concept. If you are a fashion lover, indulge your love of fashion and get all dressed up to go to your living room. Why not?
Call people for no reason at all.
Call your friends or family for no reason other than to talk. You can schedule the calls ahead of time if you want to make sure they have time to talk. Or just call out of the blue. Even if they don't have time to talk, they'll be happy that you were thinking of them.
Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.
If you're a mani-pedi kind of person when you are not social distancing, you're still a mani-pedi kind of person when you are social distancing. Why deny yourself the regularity of getting your nails done? Sure, you might not be as good at it as a professional is, but you'll still be happier about your nails and feet getting some attention.
Take an online class.
Kids everywhere are taking online classes. Why can't their parents do the same? There are lots of free online classes that you can take. You could also invest in yourself and pay for an online class you've always wanted to take. You are worth the investment.
Put on makeup just because you like makeup.
You don't have to wear makeup ever, but if makeup makes you happy, wear it with pride. Wear it while you do the dishes or vacuum. Be sure to give yourself a wink every time you pass a mirror, and compliment yourself on the great shade of lipstick you have on.
Give your home some love.
Give your home a refresh. Rearrange your furniture, clean those spots that don't get cleaned often, open the drapes, get new drapes. Make your home a lovely place to be in, and then enjoy the heck out of it.
Pamper your hair.
Give your hair some attention. You can use things you already have at home to treat your hair to some loving care. Need ideas? Check out our suggestions for natural homemade hair remedies for all hair types.
Listen to audiobooks while you clean or do other not-so-fun tasks.
We all love a clean home, but cleaning it isn't necessarily the most fun we could be having. Sure, you could listen to music while you do it, but you could also listen to audiobooks. If you are already a member of your local library, there are lots of audiobooks that you can check out for free using your library's suggested app.
Be social with each other.
Many of us are practicing social distancing in the company of our families, which means that we can and should be social with them. Sure, we all need time to ourselves, but schedule things that you can all do as a family. For example, you can set up family movie, game, and cooking nights that guarantee you are spending quality time interacting with each other as opposed to just being together in the same space.
Give yourself a big, ginormous break.
Social distancing is tough; it's not what we are used to. If sometimes you just don't feel like doing anything, that's OK. We all react to circumstances differently, and while some people may be using this time to take classes and learn new things, you might need to just take this time to rest and work through your feelings. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
