We tend to cultivate good relationships with others, but we rarely strive to nurture a healthy relationship with ourselves. And in these chaotic times of a global health crisis, it is more important than ever to practice self-care and develop habits that will help you maintain your well-being.

With the Coronavirus outbreak, things can get overwhelming. But if you invest time and effort into nurturing a loving relationship with your most important person – yourself, you are more likely to build resilience and protect your well-being.

Here are five ways how you can cultivate a supportive relationship with yourself while staying at home.

1. Take Good Care of Your Body

Make sure to prioritize essential self-care like sleep, physical activity, rest, recreation, and nutrition. These are the foundations of having a good relationship with oneself. Everything is much harder when you are tired, hungry, poorly fit, or not experiencing enough recreation and rest in your everyday life.

One of the best things you can do for your body besides getting enough sleep and eating a well-balanced diet is to exercise regularly. Even if you are a total newbie to the fitness world, with a few workout tips for beginners, you can reap all the benefits exercise provides.

Also, take time to appreciate what your body does for you every single day. We tend to ignore our bodies until something goes wrong. We do not think how lucky we are to live pain-free until we get a toothache or a headache.

2. Try Out a Hobby You’ve Always Wanted to Explore

The lockdown is the perfect time to explore new things, especially those that you’ve had your eye on for a long time. Perhaps you’ve wanted to commit some time to brush up on your cooking skills and learn to make that perfect focaccia, or you’ve desired to create an urban garden in your apartment.

Although we spend the majority of our time in our homes, we can still do some of the things we are passionate about. Even if 1 or 2 hours are all you can commit to your new hobby, it’s worth it. Exploring your interests, starting a creative project, and learning new skills can increase your self-esteem. You can even discover new career possibilities you never even considered before.

And with plenty of free resources nowadays, you can learn how to manage your finances better, or discover some useful new technology, or even start your side hustle.

3. Start a Gratitude Journal

Writing your thoughts is one of the best ways to explore them and track your progress while working towards a healthier relationship with yourself. Journaling has many benefits like alleviating stress and negative emotions, helping you solve problems more efficiently, and clarifying your thoughts and feelings.

Simple daily acts of gratitude can affect your happiness and health significantly. You can start with writing down five things you’re grateful for every day and watch how your perspective on life shifts and your mood improves in just a few minutes. We all have blessings in our life, and a gratitude journal will help you acknowledge them and appreciate essential things in your life.

4. Practice Meditation & Relaxation Techniques

We live in times of great uncertainty, and it can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It is easy to give in to fear, concern, or even panic. Practicing mindfulness meditation can do wonders for your mental well-being and your self-worth. It can help you reduce stress levels and depression and even strengthen your immune system.

Meditating for just 5 minutes can help you deal with intense emotions like fear, sadness, and overwhelm. You can slowly increase your meditation time, and if you do it in the same place at the same time during the day, it is easier to develop a habit. You can use apps to guide you through mediation and other relaxation techniques.

5. Let Go of the Perfectionism

It’s not just you; many people obsess over tiny details and put way too much pressure on themselves to look or act a certain way. It is exhausting, mentally, and physically. According to studies, perfectionists are more vulnerable to depression. Striving for excellence can be great and can lead you to various accomplishments. However, if anything less than perfect is not acceptable to you, it can lead to significant emotional distress. And during the pandemic and the lockdown, many people are feeling the pressure to use the extra time they have to learn new things and develop their skills. Let it go. It’s perfectly fine to nap or watch Netflix.

These are challenging times, and everybody’s needs and responses are unique. Instead of telling yourself, you are not good enough, focus on accepting your true self, even the things less-than-perfect. Being more mindful of your thoughts about yourself is the way to become more aware of your inner critic and practice self-kindness.

Building and maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself is incredibly important, especially in times of global crisis. It can lead to more resilience and more positivity, even when things get tough. Once you get to a place where you are comfortable and loving toward yourself, it is easier to deal with life’s hardships and get through the rough patches.

What are your tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

About the Author

Stella is an illustrator, a lifestyle and beauty blogger, and a food enthusiast. She loves giving tips about healthy lifestyles and self-development. Stella is also a lover of basics and a minimalist lifestyle. She is a contributor to several beauty and lifestyle blogs. You can find more about her writing by following her on Twitter: @StellaGreenTho1

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