12 Psychological Self-Care Tips to Deal With the COVID-19 Pandemic

This is an extraordinary and difficult time. With so much uncertainty and social turmoil, it is easy to give in to fear and hopelessness.

As we must keep physically safe to avoid being infected and infecting others, we must also get into the habit of practicing self-care regularly to help calm anxiety and maintain good mental health.

Below are some essential self-care tips to help you maintain your inner and psychological balance.

Include these self-care practices or self-care activities in your daily regime for maintaining good health and wellbeing.

1. Make a plan

Assume a disruption of normal life for three months and plan for different contingencies.

Talk to a trusted person, and write a list of essential actions:

• staying healthy
• getting food
• maintaining social contacts
• dealing with boredom
• managing finances, medicines, and healthcare, etc.

Do not give in to apocalyptic thinking or panic buying.

So, one of the self-care tips that you must practice on a daily basis is to stay calm and rational.

2. Ration media

Stay informed, but limit your exposure to media that stirs up anger, sadness, or fear.

Do not allow yourself to get sucked into conspiracy thinking.

Balance negative news with positive stories that reflect the best of humanity.

3. Challenge negativity

Write down fears, self-criticisms, and frustrations. Think of them as ‘mind weeds.’

Read them out loud in the third person using your own name (Jane/John is fearful because he/she may get sick).

Be as specific as possible and listen carefully to your words. Use affirmations and positive self-talk to change your mood (Jane/John can cope with this crisis).

These self-care tips will help boost your morale and take care of your mental health.

4. Quiet your mind

Do whatever quieting practices suit you best: meditate in the morning, sit quietly with eyes closed for 5 minutes before performing a task (especially on the computer); get still before getting out of your car; take a contemplative walk in nature; pray internally.

These are easy but effective self-care tips to help you maintain your calm during these testing times.

5. Combat anxiety

Talk to someone about your fears. Distract yourself by doing something positive and useful.

Get information on anxiety management. Practice deep and even breathing.

You can check out this essential coherence breathing app by clicking here.

Research shows that playing brain games can also help you successfully combat anxiety.

6. Exercise regularly

One of the vital self-care tips is to find a routine that suits your body and needs.

Explore alternatives such as gardening, running, biking, walking, yoga, chi kung, and online classes such as the 4-minute workout.

7. Sleep long and deeply

Wind down at the end of the day: avoid exposure to bad news, limit late evening screen time, and binging on snacks.

Aim to sleep for seven-plus hours at night. Take short naps during the day (less than 20 minutes).

This is one of the critical self-care tips which most of us tend to overlook.

Also, watch this video to understand what self-care really is:

8. Make a night list

Before going to sleep, write down those things you want/need to tackle the next day.

Remind yourself that you do not need to think about those things again until tomorrow. The next day, create a schedule to tackle the most important tasks.

9. Stay emotionally engaged

Practice appropriate distancing but do not isolate.

Stay in regular contact with family, friends, and colleagues. Use Internet video conferencing so you can see people’s faces.

Let others know that you love and appreciate them through words, gestures, and loving acts.

Although this self-care tip is listed pretty much at the end, it is imperative!

10. Refrain from blame

Here’s another essential self-care tip that demands a bit of your attention!

Don’t take your stress out on others; take responsibility for your emotions and moods.

Limit criticism and negative talk—even if the other person deserves it!

View your judgments as not essential to your true self. Make an effort to recognize each person’s essential humanity.

11. Stay active

Do your routine work or education every day. Make a schedule—including a balance of work/break/meals—for the day and week.

Tackle new projects and activities: learn a skill online, plant a garden, clean out the garage, write a book, build a website, cook new recipes.

12. Be of service

Take care of the elderly and vulnerable friends, relatives, and neighbors.

Remind them to stay safe (don’t nag); help with food deliveries; talk them through Internet setup; support them financially.

These are some of the essential self-care tips to help you sail through these tough times. These are the times when beholding mental positivity is imperative.

So, practicing these self-care tips can help you stay calm and stable for yourself as well as for your family and close friends amidst the coronavirus pandemic.