The home environment has changed for us all now that Coronavirus (a.k.a., Covid-19) has schools, daycare, businesses, and parks closed. Home is more focused on productivity – working from home while teaching school lessons to our kids and trying to provide all the activities to keep the kids occupied while you work. It all gets overwhelming! But it’s important to practice self-care daily to help your mental health during these challenging and stressful times. Here are four ways to de-stress while balancing…. well, everything.
Eliminate clutter from counter tops
Waking up in the morning and seeing a messy counter top isn’t the best way to start the day.
It’s easy to let homework, laptops, and everyday life pile up on the kitchen counter. Get a paper organizing box to keep everything sorted and pick a day or time of day when you’ll get it done. Designate a place to hang or keep your coffee mugs. Instead of letting dishes pile up in the sink, get a drying rack. Get tubs for under the sink where you can keep your cleaning supplies. All that clear counter top space will feel like a breath of fresh air in your kitchen!
Get outside!
And get active! We tend to spend a lot of time on electronics and sitting in a chair. From gardening to a walk at the park, an outdoor activity is shown to help with depression, anxiety, and stress. While you may not be able to go out and about as much right now, you can create your own outdoor oasis to escape to with comfortable furniture and plenty of plants. Add an outdoor ceiling fan to help keep stressful, pesky bugs away while you’re relaxing outside.
Create a relaxing bedroom
Make your bed. Every. Day. It may seem like a chore, but there’s something mentally gratifying about walking into your bedroom at the end of the day to a tidy bed. (much like the kitchen counter top tip)
Start dimming the lights closer to bedtime, and then turn off all the lights and electronics (like your TV and phone screen) at least 30 minutes before you hop into bed. Turn on a bedroom ceiling fan to help create the perfect temperature to help you sleep. Creating a bedroom that helps you get a good night’s sleep may also help you wake up earlier for a productive start to your day, whether that’s with a workout or checking email.
Designate a crafty corner
Designate a retreat in your home where you can get crafty and take a break from work or homework. Cleaning out, painting, and redecorating a space can serve as a form of art therapy. Repetitive motions like with calligraphy or painting are shown to help you destress. Coloring isn’t just for the kids: Research shows coloring mandalas (round frames with geometric patterns) can help reduce anxiety. Keep channeling your inner child by creating homemade playdough with calming scents like lavender.
Surround yourself with items that bring you joy and do the things you love. Even if you work from home or home school your kids, it’s important to make time for yourself!
