New Times Call for New Self-Care Remedies

A new year filled with unprecedented events calls for more frequent self-care nights. It can be challenging to adjust back to daily life after the hearty meals and festivities of the holidays, let alone with all the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am here to help with ideas to de-stress! With the continuation of early mornings, long days, and late nights comes the inevitable encounter with something we all know a bit too well: stressors. Keep reading to find out how to be your best instead of stressed.

Did you know that writing things down can promote daily progress? One 2020 resolution to keep with even when you’re working from home could be to make a list of the things in your life that make you the happiest. Maybe that means a good read, your favorite song to jam out to in the car, or a weekly podcast about romcoms. Taking one day at a time with this mindfulness method is likely to increase not only your happiness and positivity but also your ability to prioritize your encounters with the things that you love.

Taking a few minutes out of your day and putting things into color can be the most relaxing way to let off some steam. Using an adult coloring book is scientifically proven to calm the brain. Lose track of time and get lost in your creations while focusing simply on attention to detail. An alternative is a bullet journal. As a space for keeping a helpful schedule while also creating fun fonts and colors, it will surely brighten up your day!

After an early morning stretch or a late-night study sesh, practice a self-care strategy that has more than tripled its presence in the American lifestyle within the last eight years. Meditating draws you into the present moment and forces you to concentrate on topics such as mindfulness, relaxation, breath awareness, and the list goes on! Guided meditations add an extra aspect: step-by-step instruction to follow.

Baths and bubbles are the BOMB along with bath bombs themselves. They never fail to do the trick when you are in desperate need of treating yourself after a hard day. Don’t hesitate to pamper that dry winter skin while surrounding yourself with soothing music and sweetly-smelling candles. Let the bubbles solve your troubles!

Social media can create increased anxiety and stress, especially for us young adults. Scrolling and scrolling only to uncover endless photos of sandy beaches can be depressing and overwhelming. It’s almost as bad as tapping the right side of the screen endlessly until the snaps from the concert Chelsea went to last night have finally concluded. Nomophobia is known as the fear of being without a phone or mobile device, and a staggering two out of every three people are addicted to their phones. As it turns out, being that third person does have its benefits. Other than reducing stress, taking a break from social media results in falling asleep faster and reduced neck pain. 

Amongst the hustle and bustle of daily life (turns out life goes on while we all work/study from home)–deadlines, requirements, and tasks to follow through with, there are so many more ways to keep yourself well cared for. Spring into those new habits during the very first Spring of this decade, and don’t forget to be kind to yourself and your body. One act of kindness towards yourself every day is the best medicine for stress!

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