With daily news updates on COVID-19 and more people staying indoors to practice social distancing, self-care is more important than ever. Whether you’re enjoying the time at home or feeling anxious, incorporating self-care will set you up for a healthy and less stressed time indoors. In this episode, you’ll learn how to define self-care for yourself, get some pandemic coping techniques, and discover fun, out-of-the-box self-care tips for this challenging time.

If ever self-care was necessary, it’s during a pandemic. It’s the very thing we need to boost our mental wellbeing and feel us feeling like ourselves. We’re all trying to manage our emotions, at-home work stations, and children; all the while exercising and practicing shelter in place. In this episode, you’ll learn how to define self-care for yourself and get some pandemic coping techniques, as well as discover fun, out-of-the-box self-care tips for this challenging time.

The Most Important Step of Self-Care

Before we jump into tips, we have to acknowledge the grief we’re experiencing world-wide. Stacey and Lisa discuss why it’s important to acknowledge our grief, how to manage it, and how we can find meaning in it. Lisa shares the emotional rollercoaster she’s been on during this time, and opens up about a moment with her husband that started with tears and ended in laughter. 

To care for ourselves during COVID-19, we must process how we’re truly feeling. Otherwise, we risk spiraling out of control. Put down that checklist, be nice to yourself and accept your feelings!

Self-Care Part I: Staying connected to others

The thing about self-care is that it looks different for all of us. One size doesn’t fit all. During COVID-19, some of us have the financial means to support ourselves and use our money to buy from local businesses and donate to organizations on the front lines. On the other hand, COVID-19 has put many of us in tight financial binds. No matter your situation, human connection is something we all need. Listen to the episode to hear Stacey and Lisa’s advice on how to stay connected to one another remotely and engage civically and financially, if you can. 

Self-Care Part II: Self-care is survival

To thrive in and navigate this new state of living during self-isolation, we have to take care of ourselves first. Self-care is always essential for human survival, but especially during a pandemic. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, being isolated at home is challenging. A fundamental skill to hone during this time is to pick your battles. Stacey and Lisa share exactly how to choose the right battles by using self-care cheat codes. You might find yourself falling prey to the things you feel like you should and could be doing, but remember: this is a pandemic. Focus on what you can do to keep yourself well.

Listen to this episode to learn fun, screen-free improv activities like, “Who Am I?”, discover the two universal mood boosters we can all seek out right NOW, and most importantly, exactly how to define self-care for you. 

Click play above to find out how to take care of you during a pandemic, so you can get through this time with resilience and strength. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

How are you practicing self-care? What are some games, activities, or shows that help you stay grounded? Do you have any show or music recommendations for this stay-at-home time period? We would love to hear your stories! Leave us a comment below, or reach out to us on social media. 

Show Notes:

• The Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief explains the many emotions we’re all experiencing during this uncertain time 
• Jay Fields is a somatic resilience coach and friend of Lisa’s who helps people tap into their felt resources when managing anxiety.
• To learn more about Stacey, visit ReworkWork. Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn and Twitter
• To learn more about Lisa, visit Story Happens Here. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn and Twitter