During this time of social distancing and working from home, you may find yourself on your own more than usual. But instead of looking at this time as lonely and isolating, let’s look at it for what it is: an opportunity to spend time with ourselves in ways we couldn’t before. 

It’s time to take a step back from the hustle culture we’re all used to and indulge in some serious self-care. There’s (probably) no other time in our lives where we’ll be praised for staying at home and sitting on our couch. Let’s take advantage of this crazy situation we’re all in together.

Limit Screen Time 

Collectively, our average screen time is on the rise and it’s having negative effects. To prevent ourselves from being sucked into the digital void over and over again, try turning off app notifications so you won’t be tempted to check your phone so often. You may also give yourself a cut-off time for social media so you can let your brain wind down to get better sleep. 

Write Down What You’re Grateful For

An oldie but a goodie, especially in these times we’re in. Even though there is a lot of bad news right now, there is also a lot of good. Take five minutes a day to reflect on and share gratitude for the goodness in your life and write it down. By doing this, you’ll be able to feel positive emotions, relish in your good experiences, and build stronger relationships (via FaceTime for now.) 

Declutter

Decluttering your space can turn your one-bedroom or three-story abode into a sanctuary. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and head to your closet storage room, and even under the bed. Clearing out your space can subsequently free up your mind and bring you clarity on the more important things in your life. 

Get Lost in a Book 

It’s a good time to escape reality and get lost in a book. Make it a daily habit to get offline and have some quiet time with one of these reads to feel damn good about yourself. If you can’t leave home, let a book take you somewhere instead of collecting dust on the shelf.  

Put on your Favorite Playlist 

Dance party for one, anyone? Turning on your favorite tunes can help alleviate stress and boost your mood. Make a new playlist with all the songs that make you feel good vibes only. Or get a good laugh from this coronavirus-inspired Spotify playlist. Bonus points if you dance it out in your living room and get that heart rate up!

Learn Something New

No one needs to use this time to do anything productive. We’re all emotionally maxed out as it is. But if you’re up for learning something new, nothing is stopping you. Always wanted to learn a new language? Look into Rosetta Stone’s free 3-day trial. Have a song on guitar you’ve been meaning to learn? There are plenty of free sources of YouTube. Need career advice? Ladies Get Paid has a library of webinars that can help you kickstart your career and revamp your finances. 

Meditate

You may be thinking… “I’m spending enough time alone in silence!” But we promise, meditation is more than that. Meditation helps reduce stress, enhance self-awareness and promotes emotional health. The top-rated app, Headspace, is offering free meditations right now that deal with stress and anxiety related to the pandemic.

Cook at Home

We want to support local restaurants during this time by ordering take-out and delivery when we can. But that’s not possible every night. Cooking at home contributes to a healthier diet, saves money, and gives you a sense of satisfaction when it’s all said and done. Make a Pinterest board with recipes you want to try or explore some of our favorites:

• Bread-Free Sandwiches
• Breakfast Salads
• Lite Bites That Fill You Up
• No-Bake Desserts
• Cocktails and Mocktails
• Foods You’ve Never Grilled but Totally Should

Take a Nap Without an Alarm 

Now is the time to let go of that hustle mentality and realize it’s okay to not always be productive. We aren’t robots! Take advantage of this freed up time by taking a nap– and don’t set your alarm. You deserve the extra ZZZs. 

Listen to Podcasts 

There’s a podcast about every subject imaginable. Pick a topic you’ve been wanting to know more about and dive in. Whether it’s a true crime story, career advice, or celebrity interviews, you’re bound to find something distracting to listen to.