3 ways to look and feel better in a pandemic (when life looks a little different)
written by Cheryl Conklin
When staying home is all that’s on the agenda, it’s easy to let things go. From skipping salon appointments to feeling down about what’s still to come, it’s understandable if you’ve poured effort into everything but your appearance and mental health during self-isolation.
Thankfully, there are ways to cope and turn things around, from looking your best to giving yourself a mindfulness pep talk. Here’s where to start.
1. cut yourself some slack
For adults, it can feel uncomfortable and disconcerting to make mistakes. But as Work It Daily explains, there’s a reason parents teach children that it’s okay to mess up: mistakes are necessary for effortful learning to happen. In short, if you never misstep, you never learn to overcome your errors.
If you never misstep, you never learn to overcome your errors. Offering yourself the space to learn and grow is essential at any stage in life.
Offering yourself the space to learn and grow is essential at any stage in life. It’s even more crucial when navigating a global pandemic, and should be a cornerstone of your self-care strategies.
Whether you find yourself fuming when dealing with family challenges or you don’t have the energy to finish the tasks on your to-do list, embrace the sloppy parts of living life as one of your ways to cope. You’ll feel better and learn more, too.
If you find yourself panicking in the midst of a challenge, take steps to reduce anxiety in the moment. Deep breathing, accepting complex feelings, and using positive self-talk are just a few strategies that can help you tame your inner demons. We have a post all about coping with overwhelm to check out as well.
While you’re at it, give your space a facelift, too—or at least an atmosphere lift. Reducing clutter, aiming for positive attitudes, and even a little sage smudging could go a long way towards improving how you and others in your household are feeling these days (p.s. check out these other ways to raise your vibration).
2. address the exterior
Staying home in your pajamas or comfortable sweatpants probably became a habit while society was in shutdown mode. But if you find yourself bristling at your appearance in the mirror, figuring out how you can put a little bit more effort into your appearance might be a priority.
It might be time for clothes shopping for comfortable garments you can embrace the new normal in. As Reader’s Digest confirms, your clothing can affect your mood – boosting your confidence, aiding in creative thinking, and enhancing your focus. That’s something ratty old sweatpants can’t do for you, and so it may be time to address that as part of your self-care strategies.
Whether you’re in virtual meetings all day or don’t see anyone face-to-face for days, consider comfortable staples like wrinkle-free slacks, comfortable bras that don’t irritate your skin, and shirts that hold their shape. The investment is worth the enhanced self-awareness you stand to absorb.
Other ways to boost your mood around include adding a couple healthy habits to your routine. Getting a bit of exercise in, whether it’s a walk in the fresh air or yoga in a quiet corner of your home, can do wonders for stress relief and help you feel better (thank you endorphins!).
Getting a bit of exercise in, whether it’s a walk in the fresh air or yoga in a quiet corner of your home, can do wonders for stress relief and help you feel better (thank you endorphins!).
Vitamin D exposure can also brighten your outlook and give you a bit of a glow – a quick and easy way to look and feel better.
3. treat your skin well
Many people aren’t so kind to their skin to begin with, using harsh products, going without sun protection, and even exacerbating conditions like eczema with poor diet. But staying indoors – which can involve drier air, more stress, and less skin pampering – can mean unhealthy skin.
Fortunately, caring for your skin is a simple way to feel better and improve your appearance. Consider natural soaps for moisturizing your skin and soothing irritation. Artificial ingredients can contribute to drying and irritation, so opt for something that is kinder to your skin—and kinder to the animal world and our environment. Check out our post on clean beauty, too!
Of course, if you’re venturing out after months inside, protecting your skin is also vital. Many sunblock products contain harmful ingredients, however. Be sure to read labels and select the safest sunscreen possible – and as a part of your self-care strategies, use it each time you head outdoors.
final thoughts on self-care in a pandemic
Finding ways to cope during the pandemic proves challenging. But the hope that this will end reasonably soon adds layers of comfort, and fortunately, with solid self-care strategies and an emotionally supportive toolkit, you can look and feel better whether you’re staying close to home or heading out.
How do you plan to look and feel better with self-care? Let us know in the comments!
Sustainable Bliss Collective endorses products & brands we genuinely love and support. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything but we may earn a commission. Learn more here.
share this on pinterest!
about the author
Cheryl Conklin takes writing and tutoring seriously. From her travels and experiences, Wellness Central was born with the goal of instilling the mindset of physical and mental wellbeing to various audiences. She only wishes to be able to share her many inspirations from her escapades.
