With the arrival of the pandemic on our shores, everything changed in an instant. Daily rhythms and routines were turned upside down as offices closed, lockdowns began and masks and social distancing became the norm. Financial stresses increased as many employees had their hours cut, and some industries saw massive layoffs as customer traffic plummeted. Home became a busy place, as people started working from the kitchen table and kids suddenly had online school.
These massive changes rocked the human equilibrium. During times of great disruption and daily chaos, it’s even more important to look out for your health and well-being. When you add a pandemic to the mix, self-care becomes paramount. All of this change is hard on our emotional system and our physical body. You need to make sure you feel good, reduce your stress, and come up with practices and routines that bring balance, hope and joy into your life. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to care for yourself during these difficult times.
Reduce Stress by Lowering Your Monthly Expenses
It’s hard to feel safe when everything around you is uncertain. The disruptions in our economy have left many feeling vulnerable and looking for solutions. One of the best things you can do to relieve some of your financial pressure is to take a careful look, line item by line item, at your monthly budget. It’s helpful to make a detailed list of your monthly expenditures and see if there is a way to reduce each of your expenses.
If you are a recent college graduate or current student, it’s likely that monthly student loan payments take a big bite out of your budget. The soaring costs of tuition, room and board and fees have made student borrowing a must for almost everyone. Luckily, interest rates are currently at historic lows so you can save a lot of money each month if you refinance your existing loan balances with a private lender. These lenders can offer you attractive rates and can set up monthly or bi-weekly options that match your budget.
Build Up Your Immune System
With everything going on in the world you want to make sure you take care of and support your immune system. Your immune system is the first line of defense when it comes to staying healthy. It’s easy to go online to do some research and learn about supplements you can take to improve your well-being. Vitamin C and D are especially valuable right now. Preparing home-cooked, nutritious food and eating balanced meals can also enhance your health.
When you are feeling incredible stress, it takes a toll on your body. To help alleviate stress, it’s a good idea to include relaxation practices in your daily routine. One of the best ways to relax and become centered is through meditation. Meditation calms and quiets the mind, and leaves us in a more peaceful place. If silent meditation is not quite right for you, you can go online and find wonderful guided meditations that will help re-center and relax.
Immerse Yourself in Nature
The soothing rhythms of nature can be very beneficial at a time like this. A walk through an uncrowded park, some time at the beach or quiet moments exploring the beauty of a forest can help your body relax and can rejuvenate you. It’s especially important to get out in the sunshine and breathe fresh air instead of just being cooped up at home each day. Another thing you can consider is to go on an overnight outing and camp in a beautiful place. When you spend the night sleeping in nature it restores your rhythms and flow. Our bodies are healed by nature as we synch up, or experience entrainment, with the immense peacefulness of the natural world.
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