“Selfcare is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you” - Katie Reed.

During this time of chaos and uncertainty it is important that we take care of ourselves. Many people are working from home and navigating how to stay on top of their work while their kiddos run around their makeshift office. Others are out of work and scrambling to make ends meet. Remember that everything is temporary, and right now things are changing so quickly. Take each day one day at a time . While you have this time at home practice some wellness and mindfulness. Use this time to recharge and take care of yourself. Here are my top 5 simple ways to show yourself some care during this time!

#1 Create an Affirmation Board

Similar to a vision board, I like to write down affirmations and put them up on my wall. An easy way to do this is by pinning the affirmations to a cork board. Make each affirmation something that resonates with you personally. Each day I will find one affirmation that really speaks to me at that moment in time. According to Psychology Today , we should repeat an affirmation out loud for five minutes three times a day. On my affirmation board I have a mix of affirmations and positive quotes and reminders. This is a great activity to do while you are in side, it is a quick and easy way to get creative and manifest your desires.

Here is what my affirmation board looks like!

#2 DIY Face Mask

Face masks are a great way to quickly feel refreshed! Another great option is to make a DIY face or body scrub. If you are finding yourself with extra time on your hands create something with the ingredients in your kitchen to nourish or hydrate your skin.

Here are two of my favourite at home skin care remedies: 

The Calming Honey Mask

• 2 tablespoons of pure honey

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1 wedge of fresh lemon

The Exfoliating Brown Sugar Scrub (Perfect for the face or body!)

• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil

• Add two drops of your choice of essential oil

#3 Meditate for 3 Minutes

Don’t get me wrong, meditation is great, but meditation is hard! For me I find it best to start with a short meditation. The 3 minute mark is great for me. When you meditate find yourself a comfortable seated position, close your eyes, set a timer, and focus on your breath. I often find listening to guided meditations, or calming music helpful. There are several great resources for guided meditations on YouTube and the App Insight Timer. If you find in your meditation practice your thoughts are wandering, come back to focus on your breath. Be still. Be present. And remember you only have to sit still for 3 short minutes!

#4 Start a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journals are a great way to improve your well being. Naturally when you take a moment to appreciate all of the good things in your life, it helps you to be more positive. Several studies have shown that by taking a few moments a day to write down what you are grateful for increases happiness, positivity, and improves self - esteem.

#5 Get Some Fresh Air

Take a few minutes out of your day to step outside! If it is available to you, go for a walk near the water. Maybe it’s a river, lake or the ocean. Being in nature helps us to stay grounded. Having to stay inside all of the time and being unable to participate in our regular routines is difficult. Make sure to allow yourself to re-energize by being in Mother Nature.

#6 Read More

There are so many amazing books out there including great Audio Books. Audio books are great because you can listen to them while multi-tasking. One of my favourite options for a short read everyday, is reading a poem or two before bed. My current book of poetry is: Yesterday I Was The Moon By: Noor Unnahar. Stay tuned for my upcoming blog posts on book recommendations!

#7 Have a Bath

Ever want to have a bath but feel like you don’t have the time? Now is the perfect time! Not only is taking a bath great for your muscles, and joints, it is great for reducing anxiety and stress levels. If you are feeling extra stressed during this time, take a moment to light some candles and have a bath.

#8 Do Some Yoga

Recently I have been committing myself to a daily yoga practice. My daily practice is often only ten minutes followed by a short meditation and reading for three minutes. It is super important that we keep our bodies moving, and yoga is a great way to gently move. Yoga is great for improving flexibility, strength, improving posture, and helps relax your body.

#9 Listen to a Podcast

There are so many amazing podcasts out there about every topic. I often listen to podcasts in the car, or while cleaning. One Podcast for self care that I love is Live Awake by: Sarah Blondin. Another great podcast for when you need a laugh is Unhappy Hour by: Matt Bellassai. Armchair Expert by: Dax Shepard is another great listen! There are so many different podcasts that I love to listen to for different reasons, but I think these three are a great start if you are looking for something new!

#10 Watch Your Favourite Movie

Get cozy in your blankets and watch your favourite movie. Watching your favourite movie can be super comforting especially if you are feeling down!

If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading my first blog post in a while! I will be writing more soon! Let me know what you would like me to write about in the comments below.