Self Care During Quarantine

MUSC Health Primary Care
April 16, 2020
Breath sign in the bushes.

As we get farther along into this quarantine, we may be feeling anxious, bored, restless, and more – and not sure how to sort these emotions all out. When you’re struggling, we’re here to remind you to include yourself in compassion. We are all struggling with the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and learning our new way of life.

Throughout quarantine and beyond, boost your mental and physical wellness by practicing self-care. Self-care is essentially supporting your own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Your practice can improve your personal wellness and, in turn, allow you to better care for those around you.

Some ways to start right now:

Movement

Regular exercise, as simple as a daily walk, is a natural energy-booster and tension-reliever. During quarantine, most of our gyms are closed, but we can take advantage of the great outdoors and so many online resources.

Nutrition

Making space on your plate for colorful fruit and vegetables, means you’re making space for vitamins and nutrients! A nutritious diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases and helps our bodies and brains function at their best level.

Another quarantine pro-tip? Eat local! We can support our local agriculture industry and our health with some of the following local CSAs, markets, and farms that are delivering or offering pickups.

Nature

Social distancing and the stay at home order do not mean we have to stay inside all the time. Get outside and into nature, in your yard and neighborhood. Just be sure to distance yourself from anyone you happen upon along the trail. Spending time in nature is proven to improve your mood and a great way to add movement into your everyday.

Relationships

Finding a connection with family, friends, neighbors, and even pets can help all of us feel less isolated in quarantine and in normal, daily life. Facetime, Skype, phone, or text can give you the connection you’re craving without risking community spread. Be sure to check in on those who may be alone, write your favorite quote on the sidewalk, and put teddy bears in your windows!

Fun

Kitchen dance party? Go for it! Now is the time to find new ways to have fun or pick up your old favorite hobbies. Having a creative outlet can build wellbeing and help manage our emotions. Dust off the paint set and add some fun into your new routine.

Volunteering

Volunteering and helping others are more proven ways to boost happiness. While in-person volunteer opportunities are limited right now, there are still many ways you can help the Charleston Community. Check this local list of ways you can help those affected.

There is also a constant need for blood donations. Donate blood through organizations like the American Red Cross.

Stress Management

Finally, managing stress, fear, and anxiety, are of utmost importance to your overall health. Ongoing stress makes us more susceptible to mental health problems and chronic diseases, and it can make pre-existing issues even worse. Being able to manage your stress (and help your kids and family members do the same) especially in these uncertain times, will help you mentally, physically, and emotionally. MUSC’s Dr. Jerry Reves put together a great resource on how to manage the stress caused by COVID-19. MUSC therapist Wendy Balliet also offers her top 12 tips for stress relief during COVID-19. Other helpful resources include meditation apps like Calm and Headspace.

What does your version of self-care look like?

It could start as simple as taking a moment to focus on your breathing. If you feel like you are struggling with stress, making healthy decisions, or a new or nagging medical problem you’d like to resolve, the providers at MUSC Health Primary Care can help. We are offering video visits for both new and returning patients, of all ages. Call 843-792-7000 to schedule today.

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MUSC Health Primary Care