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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, and in many cases it has been a significant source of stress. Many of the self-care activities we may have been practicing, such as working out at the gym, going to yoga classes, or having coffee with friends, are not currently options because of social distancing. Below are some suggestions of ways to practice self-care while still social distancing.
According to PsychologyToday, "Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health."
#1: Virtual Yoga
Yoga not only benefits strength, flexibility, and posture, it can also promote calm. In addition, it's good for your heart!
Many yoga studios are now offering their courses online, and here are a few options:
- Check out ACHS faculty member Lisa Warman’s virtual yoga class! Her Yoga studio link is https://blackcatlibertyville.com/. She is offering about four virtual classes a day for a $10 drop-in via Zoom.
- Check out ACHS graduate Jennifer Kovalchik’s yoga classes here: http://www.awakenyoga.com/
- Check out ACHS faculty member Anisa Kassim's free nightly Zoom where she teaches the Iron Shirt Qi Gong series and does facial acupressure from 8:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday. You can find the Zoom link here: https://www.sunflowerwellnessforkids.com/telemedicine
In addition, Professor and Aromatherapy Program Chair Amanda Lattin and her partner David Tircuit L.Ac. offer online guided meditations on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. Pacific Time. Participate for free by choosing the “pay later” option at registration: https://terracinascheduler.as.me/?appointmentType=13588158
#2: Home Spa
Regular spas might not be open, but you can always treat yourself to a home spa! Here are a few bath recipes to promote relaxation:
Calm and Restore Bath
- Geranium Pelargonium graveolens essential oil: 3 drops
- Basil Ocimum basilicum essential oil: 2 drops
- 10 mL carrier oil of choice
Blend essential oils and carrier oil. Once your tub is full, turn the water off, and add the essential oil blend. Swirl the oils around in the bath with your hands or feet to ensure dispersion. Enter the bath and soak for around 10 minutes. Inhale deeply and enjoy the soothing aromas.
Calming & Relaxing Herbal Blend
Equal parts of:
- Spearmint leaves Mentha spicata
- Comfrey leaves Symphytum officinale
- Chamomile leaves (German or Roman) recutita, C. nobile
- Valerian root Valeriana officinalis
Mix the herbs together. Weigh out one ounce of the blend and package into herbal sachets for the bath. Hang the sachet from the faucet when drawing a bath so that the water will filter through the sachet when filling the tub. Once the bath is full, place the sachet in the water, and let it soak in the water while bathing.
Calm Down Bath Salts Blend
- Geranium Pelargonium graveolens essential oil: 3 drops
- Lavender Lavandula angustifolia essential oil: 3 drops
- Lemon Citrus limonum essential oil: 2 drops
- Sandalwood Santalum album essential oil: 2 drops
- 15 mL carrier oil of choice
- 2 cups Epsom Salt or Mineral Bath Salts
Mix essential oils and carrier oil together. Pour this mixture over the Epsom Salt or Bath Salts in a glass or ceramic container with a lid, stir to mix. Use 1 cup of the mixture in a full bath, or ½ cup of the mixture in a foot or hand soak.
You can find essential oils and herbs for these recipes at apothecary-shoppe.com.
Watch this video by Dorene Petersen to learn how to use essential oils in the bath safely:
#3: Exercise
Gyms may be closed, but it's important to find other ways to stay active during quarantine. This could be as simple as taking a walk every day. If you do choose to walk, to meet the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations you would need to walk 7,000 to 8,000 steps per day.
The benefits of walking daily include:
- Lower blood sugar, less joint pain
- Boosts immune system, energy, mood and creativity
- Lengthens your lifespan
You can also try a virtual workout! There are a lot of options for virtual workouts, whether it be joining a live workout, watching a pre-recorded video, or following the recommendations for a workout posted online. For example, check out this article containing a 5- Minute Core Workout.
For yoga and fitness classes, check out ACHS student Nikki's Facebook page at A Balanced Life with Fit Nikki. Some of her classes are free and others are $5 to $10. She also offers free workout videos on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCix5vgmWNhJln0iCEIIh7KA
#4: Socialize... at a distance
Human connection is a powerful stress-reliever. Use technology to connect with family and friends - Facetime, Zoom, text, or an old-fashioned phone call. Here at ACHS, we use Zoom to meet with our entire team twice per week to stay connected even when we are apart!
How are you practicing self care? Let us know in the comments.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This blog may contain affiliate links.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About American College of Healthcare Sciences
American College founded in 1978, is a fully online accredited institute of higher education specializing in holistic health. Based in Portland, OR; our goal is to make research-driven and science-based holistic health education taught by industry-leading experts accessible to anyone anywhere while still giving students a hands-on experiential learning experience like a traditional college and a strong sense of community, school pride and student bond.
This commitment to our students and graduates reflects in our current survey results that reflect 98% of our students would recommend ACHS to a friend or family member.
We believe education is the most powerful tool for changing an individual and the world around us.
When a person enrolls as ACHS, it is vitally important that they graduate with tools they need to forge their own holistic and sustainable missions, build up their communities confidently and changing the face of healthcare with knowledge.
For more information visit achs.edu.
