HOW-TO: Feel Like Yourself Again While Social Distancing
To be honest, the ‘new normal’ kinda looks bleak. During lockdowns and closures, we slowly lose ourselves as we grow restless inside our homes. We practice social distancing and we can’t even meet up with our friends during our normal nights out. However, as a normal human, one may ask: “What can we possibly do next?” We look for ways to feel like ourselves again while staying at home and trying to keep at least six feet away from other people.
So, here are a few ways to feel like yourself while social distancing
Set up a morning routine
You probably already have this. However, there are people (like me) who remained resistant in adapting to the new circumstances. I won’t talk about doing an hour-long meditation or yoga. I’m legitimately talking about an actual morning routine. Do you remember what you do during your regular workdays?
Create a morning routine to somewhat feel like yourself again.
You wake up at a certain time with your phone blaring your alarm. You take a shower, wear make-up, and go outside for an iced coffee and an everything bagel. Do it again! Minus the going out part. If you normally work out, add it to your new routine. I mean, you’re still going to have a long commute from your room to your desk, too!
Make good coffee
Although some of us have the luxury of a Starbucks drive-thru, many of us don’t. We rely on coffee that we can buy at sari-sari stores or the supermarket. But just because you’re at home, it doesn’t mean your coffee has to such. A 3-in-1 packet can go a long way to create your own Starbucks drink during the time of social distancing. For example, I always buy my Iced Mocha to a nearby coffee shop.
Keep your soul awake with your usual sip of coffee.
I still want to have my usual coffee while practicing social distancing. So, what I do is: I buy a 3-in-1 packet of Nescafé Original and a packet of Milo. To avoid making the coffee warm, I don’t try to melt the coffee and Milo with hot water. Grabbing an empty water bottle, I put the coffee and the Milo in and shake it for a minute. Then, get a tall glass and put some ice in it before putting the whole mixture. Stir it with a reusable straw and voila! You have your iced coffee mocha or something like that.
Use your planner
I know what you’re thinking: What the heck do I have to plan? Hmm, let’s see. Walking around the living room at three in the afternoon? Play mobile games for two hours? Watch Netflix for four to eight-ish hours? No, that’s not what I mean. Use the planner you already bought or the planner that you redeemed with stickers in that coffee shop that you love. Use it!
Separate your day rather than everything blending together with a planner.
It might feel weird but writing down the time to talk with your friends or when you’ll start to declutter your room can help. Separate your days and use the planner to plan ahead. Obviously, you won’t be making any big plans or vacations. When we’re all allowed to go out and about, where will you go and what will you do? Put it down on the planner.
Wear real clothes again
I know you’re wearing real and tangible clothes. However, what I am trying to say is, wearing clothes that you usually wear before this whole pandemic started. As much as you love how comfortable you feel wearing pajamas all day every day, don’t you desperately miss the slight discomfort of wearing denim and a cute but tight top?
Make yourself look cute to feel cute.
Get out of those pajamas and start to feel like yourself again with clothes that are both comfortable and stylish. For example, wear a pair of linen pants with a button-up. Or better yet, wear a comfortable dress. This way, you’ll feel like you’re getting ready for a normal day without wanting to change out of them as soon as you can.
Get a better sleep schedule
There are a lot of people who get all the rest as they could ever need. However, there are people that put sleep on the backburner. Prioritize your sleep and get an adequate amount of it. If you didn’t before, you should now. It is an aspect of mental wellness that you just can’t let go. Without proper sleep, the other parts of your body won’t feel as good as they should.
Be a better and a healthier ‘you’ during this quarantine.
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