Focus on the things you can control.
With the confusion brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s normal to feel anxious and untethered. After all, the world as we know it has been turned on its head. And sadly things are far from over, even as we are slowly coming out of lockdown.
For a lot of us, staying at home is still the safest option. We may be able to move more freely again, but for the most part, we will still be spending a considerable amount of time at home as companies shift to a permanent or semi-permanent WFH scheme.
Amidst all the changes, it’s important to remember that you can navigate your way through these challenging times. Just take it one day at a time and focus on the things you can control.
Create a Daily Routine
When you’re stuck at home and the things that used to define your hours are taken away—work, social interaction, errand runs—days begin to blend into one another. It becomes all the more important to establish routines.
“When faced with major upheavals in our lives—such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic—our body clocks have much more difficulty re-establishing regular biologic rhythms,” says pshychiatrictimes.com. This, in turn, confuses the biological clock. “As a result, we may experience negative physical symptoms similar to jet lag such as disturbed sleep, appetite, energy, and mood.”
Creating a new daily routine will help ground your body clock and make you feel better. Psychiatrictimes.com recommends setting specific times in the day for simple activities—like waking up, meals, exercise, work, and bedtime—and sticking to it.
Make Sure You Get Some Exercise
One of the things you can do proactively during this time is to take care of your health by getting some exercise. This is especially important since, according to a recent study, exercise can help keep your stress levels down during the pandemic.
Aside from helping keep your body strong and your immune system healthy, it also has positive benefits for your mental health, making you more resilient and less likely to develop depression and anxiety.
It’ll be a while before gyms reopen and outdoor activities may still be limited even as we start to enter GCQ, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice working out. There are a number of workout videos on YouTube that you can easily follow, exercise apps that you can download, and Zoom classes you can join that will help you stay active indoors.
Keep In Touch With Loved Ones
Social distancing is critical during this time, but maintaining social connections is just as necessary. We are social creatures, after all, who not only crave but actually need socialization and community in order to thrive and even survive.
This is where social media comes in handy. Reach out via Messenger, FaceTime with family, or go on Zoom parties with your friends. According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, “Hearing a friendly, familiar voice, or reading a message from people we care about, helps us feel more connected. This is important for our mental health, and especially for people living alone, who may be feeling lonely, isolated and afraid about what is happening.”
As more and more restrictions are lifted, hopefully we may slowly start socializing with our family and friends in small groups again. If you are opting to do so, make sure to follow the safety guidelines outlined by experts.
Take a Break from the News and Social Media
Social media has become an essential tool in staying connected with our loved ones, our community, and society as a whole during the pandemic, but too much screen time, immersed in news and online discourse about current events, can make this time additionally stressful.
And as we’re all more inclined to stay glued to our devices while we’re stuck at home, it’s important to remember that there are benefits to going on a digital detox. An article in bbc.com notes that one way to do that is to determine when going online is good for you (checking out recipes and cooking videos, working out, learning a new language, for example) and when it’s harmful (when you’re bored or anxious), and to set boundaries.
You can also monitor the quality of the content you consume. The same bbc.com article says, “Psychologist Dodgen-Magee suggests seeking out engaging and meaningful content instead of bingeing on whatever is available.”
Help Out
A great antidote to feeling helpless is to help out. It is one of the more empowering ways you can deal with this, or any, crisis.
Connect with your community and find out if they have an outreach program that you can take part in. Or you can cook meals for the village security, hand out snacks to the garbage collectors and delivery persons, buy from small, local restaurants and shops, or offer to run errands for senior neighbors.
Every little thing counts. And doing something will help make you feel a little more in control and empowered as you learn to deal with the pandemic and the new normal beyond it.
Carve Out Some Relaxation Time
Yes, you’re still allowed to find the time to pamper yourself even during the pandemic. We all cope in different ways, and finding some time in the day for a self-care ritual is a great way to destress.
Self-care looks different for different people: Some meditate, others do yoga. Some set time for artistic pursuits, others enjoy a cup of coffee with a good book. And for some, it comes in the form of a beauty routine that helps them relax and feel good.
If you’re one of the latter, kick things up a notch by turning it into a full-blown home spa experience: Light your favorite scented candles and take a long, relaxing bath. Then ask your dermatologist to recommend a skincare regimen that you can do at home.
Michelle Reyes-Navarro, founder of Bella Pelle Philippines, shares the skincare routine she follows these days to pamper her skin during the day. The night regimen is, of course, different. “Because of the quarantine, I was stuck at home, usually cooped up in air-conditioned rooms, which made my skin deoxygenated, dry, and dull. Plus the hot weather left me with an oily T-Zone, which I haven’t had in a long time. So I started an oxygenating regimen with Biologique Recherche products.
“First up, I cleanse with the Lait VIP O2. It’s perfect for stressed, devitalized skin. It eliminates impurities and is ideal for city-dwellers, especially now that we have transitioned to GCQ and pollution is building up again,” says Reyes-Navarro.
Biologique Recherche Lait VIP O2
“Then I use the P50 PIGM 400 Lotion to exfoliate my skin and prep it for the next steps,” she continues. The P50 PIGM 400 Lotion is a cross between the P50 Lotion and the PIGM 400 range of products, so it exfoliates, brightens the skin, and helps fade and prevent hyperpigmentations. “I also use the Lotion MC 110 N1 once a week, which also exfoliates the skin and gets rid of wrinkles, fine lines, and defines the facial contours.”
Biologique Recherche LOTION P50 PIGM 400
Biologique Recherche Lotion MC 110 N1
“Next, I apply the Masque VIP O2, which I love because you can use it for the entire face, even around the eyes,” remarks Reyes-Navarro. The Masque VIP O2 contains Elastine Marine, White clay, oxygenating complex, essential fatty acids, and cucumber extracts, and soothes and purifies the skin. “Like all those in the VIP O2 line, it is oxygenating and calms stressed skin. It also revitalizes dull, tired complexions.”
Biologique Recherche Masque VIP 02
After cleansing, exfoliating, and soothing the skin, Reyes-Navarro focuses on using serums and creams. “I apply Serum Amniotique, which hydrates my skin without the oiliness, and Serum Oligo-Protèines Marines, which brightens and energizes. The latter can also be used under the eyes to fight dark circles. On my T-zone, I apply Serum Dermopore to tighten pores and reduce sebum production.”
Biologique Recherche Amniotique
Biologique Recherche Oligo-Protèines Marines
Biologique Recherche Dermopore
“I follow up the serums with a couple of creams. The Crème Contour des Yeux VIP O2 is an oxygenating eye cream that combats dark circles and puffiness,” notes Reyes-Navarro. “The Crème PIGM 400 gives an instant glow and prevents hyperpigmentations.”
Biologique Recherche Crème Contour des Yeux VIP O2.
Biologique Recherche Crème PIGM 400
“After the creams, I put on Finishing Fluid VIP O2. This finishing serum traps oxygen on the skin surface to protect it from external aggressors. It leaves the skin smooth and healthy-looking. It also reduces signs of fatigue, which is something we need these days.
Biologique Recherche Fluid VIP O2
“Finally, I apply sunscreen. When I’m just at home, I use Protection UV SPF 25+. When I go out to run errands, I upgrade to Protection UV SPF 50,” says Reyes-Navarro.
“I also spray L’eauxygenante all over my face throughout the day to hydrate and soothe my skin. It fights free radicals and really gives my skin an instant glow.”
Biologique Recherche L’Eauxygénante
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