With most of us working remotely due to the pandemic, it is only right to check-in on our well-being every so often. Checking in with yourself can help you spot some areas of your life that you may not have noticed or that you have been neglecting. Check-ins don’t have to be everyday but maybe once a week to identify where you are at. Taking care of yourself is more important than ever at this point in time and here are some simple pointers to help you do just that.
Some things to reflect on are:
Did I move my body today?
Getting active creates a more positive mindset by relieving stress, helping you sleep better, and improving your energy levels. Shifting any of the negative energy that you may have into something that is healthy for you is a great start. Just getting up and stretching your body or performing a few yoga poses to relax your mind counts as moving your body. YouTube has a lot of stretching and workout videos that you can utilize if you don’t know where to begin.
Have I taken a moment to reflect on the day?
Reflection is best to do early in the day to step back and take time to go over your daily goals. If you didn’t set any goals yet, listing three things that you want to accomplish, however big or small, is a motivating task to complete. An example of a goal to set could be to make your bed. Making your bed can make your space feel organized and allow you to take on the day. Creating habits that you can do every day will help you feel more productive throughout the day and may even inspire you to do more productive tasks.
Did I go outside today?
Going outside for even 5-10 minutes is enough to absorb some vitamin D which is proven to increase your mood. If you have work to do, then sitting outside to do it, either in your backyard or a park, could be a better option than in your house. While you’re outside, identifying things that you can hear, see, and smell can bring you back down to earth and connect yourself with nature on a personal level. This will put your mind at ease and help you focus on the simplest things you can identify in your surroundings.
If you do follow these tips, take into account how you felt before compared to after you did them.
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Natalie is a student at the University of Toronto. She is currently majoring in Biology and minoring in Biomedical Communications and Sociology. She is interested in advocating for mental health awareness during these trying times.