Extraordinary times call for self-care

In these difficult and uncertain times it's important, more than ever, to look after yourself.

When you think about it, if you don't make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. Without downtime, our bodies and minds have no rest and this can build up and ultimately result in burnout. Disease outbreaks, like Coronavirus, can be scary and can have an impact on our mental health. Here are a few ways you can take time out for self-care and manage your wellbeing during these strange times.

Grab a fresh glass of water: About 60% of your body is comprised of water. Drinking water first thing in the morning immediately helps to rehydrate the body - the six to eight hours of recommended nightly sleep is a long period to go without any water consumption.

Embrace the outdoors: Open the curtains, let the light in and make use of your windows. Get some nice plants to add to your windowsill; they make a great accessory for your home. If you have a garden, go out and breath in some fresh air. If you don't have a garden, take a walk to your local nature reserve or perhaps go for a run, or cycle. According to the mental health charity, Mind, spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing.

Stay connected: There are so many ways for us all to keep in contact with friends and loved ones - phone, Skype, W, social media, email. Now is a great opportunity to catch up with distant friends or family who you've been meaning to contact for a while.

Cook something healthy: In some cases, when cooped up at home and with most restaurants now offering a delivery service, it can be easy to get fast food or grab a pre-made meal for the microwave. While it's nice to have once in a while, these "fast" meals aren't usually sufficient when it comes to feeding your body the right kinds of nutrients. Even if it's only once or twice a week, consider making a healthy meal for yourself or your whole family. Perhaps look into a meal delivery service or meal kit that can help you get started.

Get stuck into a new book: In today's fast paced world, we tend to turn to our phones for entertainment or comfort. Scrolling through news feeds can contribute to our stress and anxiety, rather than helping it. Instead, consider learning something new by reading a book, perhaps indulge in a fictional thriller - whether it's a book or an audio book, reading something new can help us to slow down rather than looking at our phones. Not only can it help improve your mood, but it can also help you to stay more present and mindful. Self-care is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when life is stressful, and people often think that taking time for themselves seems indulgent. But looking after your wellbeing will help you get through these challenging and uncertain times and will help you to better care for others.