It is no secret that 2020 felt like the year that would never end. Unfortunately, 2021 will probably be the same for a while until this pandemic is thwarted. That is no excuse to get sloppy; keep wearing your mask and staying home. Doing so for such a long time wears a toll on even the strongest of people, however, so it is important to prioritize self-care. If you need help, here are some ideas for how to take care of yourself and your mental health.
- Indulge yourself. It may seem counterintuitive at times, but allowing yourself to give in to your cravings (a special meal or dessert, sleeping in,a long bath, etc.) helps in the long run. The longer we deny ourselves something, the more we want it. Punishing ourselves for it only makes it worse, so take the time to reward yourself and enjoy it. You’ve earned it.
- Talk to other people. Sometimes we feel down on our luck, angry, or sad, when the real reason behind our feelings is loneliness. Especially during this pandemic, we need the support of people who care about us, and to give that support back to them. No one can thrive on their own for long. Find what works for you and don’t let it fall through the cracks.
- Try something new. Many people secretly long to do something they’ve never done before but are too afraid of what might happen or what others will think of them to go through with it. Holding that in only makes things worse. If it makes you happy, do it. You’ll only be hurting yourself if you don’t.
Whatever it is you choose to do, don’t burden yourself with conditions and tradeoffs (“if I exercise then I can have a donut”). Let yourself be selfish for a little while and give yourself permission to do whatever makes you feel good. After nearly a year with this pandemic, we all deserve some self-love.