5 Lessons About Self-Care During Quarantine

Have you ever thought you knew all you needed to know about something? Well, I know I have and every time I do I am reminded in some way or by someone that I do not. The pandemic and quarantine has revealed and taught us all so much. Some of the greatest lessons I have learned during this time have been about myself and what self-care really is during quarantine.

Self-care is one of those things as women, wives, and moms we know is important.

No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it.
Ephesians 5:29 (MSG)

We often do not practice as much as we should because we do not have or make the time. Moreoever, we may look at self-care in one particular way and if we cannot practice it in those ways we do nothing at all.

That was me at the beginning of quarantine. All the things that I usually did for myself and I considered self-care I could no longer do. The nail salon, hair salon, spa, and gym were closed. So how are we supposed to practice self-care if all of our favorite places are closed?!

Well, after throwing myself a little pity party I realized that when things around us change we have two choices. You can continue to remain in your pity party doing nothing or pick yourself up. Take an honest look at the way things are and adapt. By adapting you are taking what you already know, and developing a new way of doing things with a fresh perspective.

This fresh perspective allows you to see the lessons you can learn from whatever situation you are in. Here are 5 of the lessons I learned about self-care during quarantine.

Lesson #1- Great Exercise Doesn’t Only Happen At The Gym

For so many, going to the gym allows you to push yourself physically more than you would normally. Yet, with so many gyms closed or so many additional precautions now needed to be taken at the gym, it is hard to go. Making it harder for you to properly take care of your body physically. However, in a lot of ways, it is not necessarily harder, just different.

There are so many options for you to exercise at home and around your neighborhood. Before quarantine, I would use my elliptical machine at home or watch a YouTube workout video from time to time occasionally. I never took walks around my neighborhood and did not dare join my husband for a run.

Whether or not you can go to the gym should not determine if you will stay committed to taking the best care of yourself that you can. So if you have not in a while or ever, take a walk or run around your neighborhood. Get a few hand weights or kettleballs, turn on YouTube, and get moving. One of the most important ways to practice good self-care during quarantine and after is to maintain the health of your physical body.

If you need a YouTube recommendation, check out Body Fit By Amy. This is my favorite channel to watch and exercise with while at home.

Lesson #2- Snacks Are Real

By snacks are real, I mean they are real food and we have to be more mindful of what and how much we snack. Being home has caused a lot of us to snack a lot more than we typically would. Before you were often on the move going from here to there, so if you did not have a snack with you, you did not eat until you got back home.

Now with so many of us home and the kitchen always available, so are the snacks and not always the most healthy options. I know I am not the only one who has found themselves following your kids’ example of endless snacking. Not even because you really need a snack.

But just because it is there!

This mindless snacking at times can often have a negative effect on your energy, focus, and physical health. The opposite effect we want or think that they may have.

Therefore being mindful of what and when we snack is an important part of your self-care. In order for you to be at your best, you have to make sure you are feeding yourself the best.

Lesson #3- Bedtimes Are A Must In Self-Care During Quarantine

Bedtimes are important for both you and your kids. With a lot of your usual activities either shifted to virtual, it is easy to be flexible with your bedtime since you are not going anywhere anyway. Yet, one of the most important ways to take care of yourself and your family is to make sure you are getting enough rest.

With all of the increased on-screen activities, whether for work, school, or entertainment, our brains and bodies need rest. So making sure to not just have a bedtime.

You have to schedule it!

Even when life goes back to “normal”, the habit you set now of having a scheduled bedtime will serve you and your family well for years to come. Making it a great lesson learned about self-care during quarantine to take with you.

Lesson #4- It’s Important To Get Dressed Daily

Now, this is one lesson I fought hard against for a while. Why get dressed if I was not going anywhere? Although, over time I learned that my attitude and productivity was really affected by how I was presenting myself, even if my family and I were the only ones looking.

Think about it. Are you as productive and active in pajamas as you are when you have gotten dressed for the day? If you are honest, the answer is probably no.

Now, when I am talking about getting dressed, it does not mean you have to put on a going-out outfit. However, it does mean you should wear something that you like, that is comfortable, and if you had to go out in it you would feel good doing so.

Over the last few months, I have fallen in love with loungewear and hoodies. They are super cute, comfy, and I feel put together. So no matter what you chose to wear, make sure you are making a choice to get dressed daily just for you.

Lesson #5- Reading Is A Self-Care Must

I do not know about you, but I love to read. Yet, overtime during quarantine I found that I was making less and less time for me to read. There was always something I needed to do to help my kids with. By the end of the day, picking up a book in any form was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I would pick up the remote.

I soon realized that even with our activities being limited that does not mean that we should limit our ability to grow, learn, and relax. Finding a good book and carving our time to read it is one of the best ways for you to learn something new or to grow in any way you chose in the comfort of your home.

The options are endless. If you want to grow in your faith and relationship with God, there are books for that. If you want to grow as a wife and in your marriage, there are books for that. And if you just want to grow just a woman, there are books for that as well. It is so important that you remember that self-care is not just about your physical well-being, but also your mental and spiritual well-being as well.

The pandemic and being in quarantine has changed us all in so many ways. Yet, not all of them are bad. By taking some of the lessons learned, especially with regard to your self-care, you can become a better you during and on the other side of all of this.

I’d love to know one lesson you learned about self-care during quarantine in the comments!