The effects of the coronavirus are felt by many in the US, with schools closed, travel restricted, and stores closing down for the ‘foreseeable’ future. And if you have taken it one step further by self-isolating to help prevent its spread or because you or a family member are displaying symptoms, you will find yourself stuck indoors for the next few weeks perhaps with not much to do!
However, if you are feeling well enough and fancy a bit of pampering, there are ways you can achieve this from the comfort of your own home. Read on for some top tips in Self-Care in Self Isolation: 4 Simple Ways to Pamper Yourself at Home!
1. Self Isolation Spa Day
Why not set aside a whole day dedicated to a homemade spa treatment? There are plenty of things you probably already have lying around the house that can be used to recreate a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom or bedroom.
You can simply put on a relaxing CD or one of the many chill-out videos found on YouTube, light a candle, and relax in a bubble bath complete with bath bombs, salts, and a glass of your favorite drink. You can even make your own face mask from ingredients like oatmeal, yogurt, honey and egg whites.
If you want to treat yourself to something more luxurious, you still can! The shops might be closed, but you can order most things online. It might be worth checking out these frequently updated coupon codes so you can bag yourself a deal too – you want to save every cent you can in these uncertain times.
2. Take a Nap
Sleep is hugely underappreciated in modern society. We’re all stuck on a hamster wheel, trying to outdo each other on who works the hardest. If your normal routine involves 50-hour weeks followed by intensive gym sessions and a punishing social life, you’re probably sleep-deprived.
One way to pamper yourself is to get some extra sleep, guilt-free. Instead of worrying about the housework or keeping one eye on your emails, switch off all of your tech devices (assuming you’re not supposed to be working, of course!) and head to bed for a couple of hours.
You don’t need to sleep for many hours to benefit, but you’ll be surprised how much better you feel after an afternoon nap. The trick is not to sleep for too long. If you do, it will make it much harder to sleep at your normal bedtime. Set your alarm so you don’t get zonked-out all day and disturb your sleep patterns. Alternatively, have a coffee before you fall asleep, as the caffeine will kick in within an hour and wake you up.
3. Binge-Watch a Box Set
Is stress and anxiety making you feel jittery in self-isolation? If so, you may find it helpful to tune out of real-life and immerse yourself in a virtual world.
Thanks to online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, you now have thousands of hours of box sets or series to watch. Not all of them are relaxing, and if you have a nervous disposition, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from American Horror Story, but series like Outlander and Mad Men are a wonderful escape from the stresses of ‘normal’ life.
4. Meditate
Meditation is something we can all benefit from. Find a meditation video on YouTube, sit comfortably, and empty your mind of random, spurious thoughts. It does take practice, but if you meditate regularly, it will get easier.
