Here we are—2022. Self-care remains so important given our current COVID surge. Since none of us likely imagined year two, let alone year three, of a pandemic that has disrupted EVERYTHING, we thought you could use some self-care tips. Here are a few we’re gonna try:
Top 10 Self-Care Tips aka. Covid-Care
- Take a walk. Yeah, it may seem lame or too simple, but remember our friends in the East will risk frostbite within 15-30 minutes outside. Enjoy the sunshine.
- Try Meditation. If you’re concerned about too much Monkey Mind, check out a guided meditation like this one. Your phone or watch also provides quick meditations, too.
- Breathe. No, not that jagged, I-missed-a-deadline breath. Sit in a chair, roll your shoulders back, close your eyes, and breathe in as you count to five. Hold for a count of two. Exhale for four. Repeat a few times. Check out the benefits of deep breathing from Harvard.
- Cuddle a furry friend. Sure, it can be your partner with long, shaggy quarantine hair, but a dog or cat may offer more stress relief. The smarty pants at John Hopkins found that petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol and increases the feel-good hormone oxytocin.
- Enjoy Arizona landscape. NAU put together a page of great hikes across the state. The list includes difficulty scales, so you know what you’re getting into before heading out.
- Take a nap. Yes, it’s easier said than done—you’ve got a long to-do list to complete, but Psychology Today shows how naps can help productivity.
- Write about it. The New York Times offers some great pointers for writing during the pandemic. Need another writing prompt? What are 10 things you noticed this morning while you were getting ready for work or school? Go!
- Call a friend. Okay, we’ve all nearly abandoned the phone call in favor of texting or email, but when’s the last time you heard your bestie do that snort thing when she laughs? That may offer the only self-care you need.
- Paint a rock. You know you’ve seen painted rocks when you’ve gone out for a walk. Join the fun, or pick up another crafting idea.
- Read, read, and read some more. Whether it’s a guilty pleasure, or one of 10 Best Books of 2021 according to the New York Times, grab a book, a blanky, and a cup of tea.
Regardless of your self-care strategies, everyone at Arizona GEAR UP wishes you a healthy and prosperous 2022.