Have you been feeling cooped up during the lockdown? During normal times, you would go outside for a walk, eat at a restaurant, or hang out with friends. This is not the case anymore. But, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have self-care.
Thanks to technology, you have a multitude of options (other than Netflix) to use for feeling good about yourself. Check out a few of these:
Meditation apps
There have been several studies that show that meditation can help boost self-esteem and lower anxiety and depression levels. However, if you haven’t tried it before, it can get intimidating. There are several apps available that make mindfulness practices approachable and help you meditate. If you are unsure how to get started with meditation, downloading an app might be the right start.
Another app that you should use is mood tracking. An important aspect of self-care is tracking how you are feeling. Maybe you want to know the correlation between your lows or just want to get a sense of your moods. Whatever the reason might be, you can download an easy-to-use app that makes mood tracking less daunting than maintaining a physical journal. Women can use a period tracking app for checking on their menstrual cycle.
Lamp that can stimulate natural light
When you are stuck inside your home for a long duration, it can trigger your work-related stressors and take a toll on your health and mood. Studies have shown that light has a significant impact on our mental health and even reduces anxiety and depression levels. If you are on a self-care journey, you can get a lamp that can simulate natural light. You can easily find one on Amazon. It is a great investment for someone who spends most of their day away from the windows.
Teeth whitening kit
Having a good smile is the key to confidence. You can use an easy-to-use high-quality teeth whitening kit with LED light to get that perfect smile and boost your self-esteem.
A white noise machine
The most affordable method for self-care is sleep. However, having a good night’s sleep is far from easy. Some studies have suggested that a white noise machine can help you in sleeping better. Whether you want to get the complete eight hours at night or want to make the most of your midday nap, investing in a white noise machine is a good idea. If you don’t want to invest in it, you can download a white noise app for free.
Podcasts
If you are looking for something that gives your eyes a rest or puts you in a good mood, you should find a podcast. A simple podcast can make your daily commute meditative. You might have to do a bit of research to find the podcasts that resonate with you the best. You can find one that promotes mindfulness so that you can add meditation to your day.
Self-care is not being selfish. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Even if you don’t have the time to try the apps or have the money to invest in the right tech tools, you can practice breathing exercises. Just put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode and relax.