8 Ways to Practice Self-Care While Physical Distancing

Experts and governmental leaders are encouraging Americans to practice physical distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. More and more folks are hunkering down at home to keep each other safe and wait out...whatever this weird chunk of 2020 is.

Look, things are WEIRD right now. And really uncertain. Sometimes even scary. Honestly, we’re tired of saying it, and we’re sure you’re tired of hearing it, so here’s what we’re all gonna do about it.

There are still things we can control in our everyday lives, and there are things we can do to keep ourselves healthy that have absolutely nothing to do with the coronavirus. Here are some tips for practicing self-care while physical distancing.

(P.S. Have your own physical distancing tips? Contribute to New State of Mind, our student-powered anti-stress guide, powered by Blue Shield of California.)

1. Find space (literally and figuratively).

For young people, being home usually means being around family, and as much as we may love them, sometimes it can get to be a little much -- especially for college students used to the independence of dorm living.

It’s important to find the physical space in your home where you can just do your own thing for a while. Set boundaries with your family by letting them know clearly when you need some time alone. Don’t feel guilty about skipping a family game night or opting to spend an evening alone in bed instead of gathered around a movie in the living room.

Those alone moments are the perfect time for finding the mental space to process what you’re going through. With so much happening externally, it’s easy to forget about how you’re feeling through it all. So really think about it. Put a name to what you’re feeling -- sadness, anger, shock, uncertainty, etc. Sitting with your emotions and really acknowledging them is the first step to overcoming them.

Feeling especially anxious about coronavirus? Text DS to 741-741 to connect to a Crisis Counselor.

2. Try to plan ahead.

So we’ve all probably seen those tips about keeping a routine during self-isolation, and “Rise & Grind” Twitter may have you believe that that means having a packed schedule to keep you busy from dawn ‘till dusk. If that’s you, then we applaud you, but know that there are ways to bring structure to your day without it feeling like a chore.

Instead, make a list -- or maybe a few lists --- of things you can do (preferably, things you like to do). Because as obvious as that may seem, when you’re feeling bored or lost, it can be a little hard to think of those things in the moment.

Think specific too. There’s a difference between “Make art,” and “Make a water-marble painting,” or “Watch a movie,” and “Have a Harry Potter movie marathon.” These things should give you enough direction so that the next time you’re feeling aimless, you can just pick something off the list and do it.

3. Get moving for at least 15 minutes a day.

When we hear the word “exercise,” it conjures up images of gym equipment, athletic wear, and vigorous routines. In truth, exercise is whatever gets your body moving and your heart pumping -- walking, dancing, maybe even cleaning if you’re really going hard.

You can find a ton of free and easy exercise resources online to get a home workout routine together, or you can just commit to moving your body somehow for at least 15 minutes a day. Walking laps around your coffee table while listening to a podcast may not seem glamorous, but it’s definitely better for you than sitting on the couch all day.

4. Connect with your support systems.

Being physically distant doesn’t mean we have to be socially distant. We’re living in the digital era after all, and now’s our time to shine. Keep up with your group chat, text or Facetime your friends, have Zoom hangouts, play online video games together -- the list goes on and on. You can also use these apps to stream, read, and binge watch with your friends from a distance.

Important reminder: virtual hangouts can be just as draining as in-person hangouts (maybe even more). Something about being able to see and hear your friends without being in their physical presence causes this weird disconnect in your brain that can get a little exhausting after too many sessions. Recognize when the Zoom fatigue is starting to creep in, and don’t feel the need to socialize more than you normally would in the physical world.

5. Tidy up a little.

If you’re physical distancing, you’re most definitely spending a lot of time at home, and the cleaner you keep your space, the better you’ll feel about being in it 24/7. When a full clean feels too overwhelming, take it bit-by-bit instead. Organize the clutter on your desk one day, do a load of laundry another day, and wash all your dishes the next.

Need to pick just one thing to focus on? Three words: Make. Your. Bed. It honestly makes such a difference -- both in starting your day with a little order, and ending it in a nice, made-up bed.

6. Don’t neglect the little things your body needs.

When your days in isolation start blending together, you might find yourself slipping into a dangerous evolution of a lazy day. Remember to do the things that keep your body functioning at its best: brush your teeth, wash your face, drink some water, and please, please, PLEASE eat a vegetable every once in a while.

Being home for a long time might flip that switch in your brain that makes you think you’re on vacation, so this stuff can fall through the cracks. Remind yourself that this is still your regular life (or as regular as it can be right now), and that you can’t stay up until 3 a.m. every night or subsist on Totino’s pizza rolls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

7. Avoid information overload.

If you’re reading this guide and (we assume) practicing physical distancing, then you don’t need us to tell you that the world is a little unpredictable right now, and it can feel like each day presents fresh, new horrors to worry about. Trust us, all of That Stuff (the good and the bad) will go on regardless of whether you’re refreshing your timeline every hour to see it.

Stay informed to the extent that it keeps you healthy and safe -- meaning updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and evolving guidance from your local health department. Everything else is optional.

Try turning off push notifications from nonessential media services, limiting the time you spend on social media, and knowing when to put your phone down altogether.

8. Be honest with yourself.

Listen, in a perfect world, we would all be at home exercising regularly, making our bed each morning, and scarfing down veggies at every meal. But as we know, the world isn’t perfect (especially right now), and you shouldn’t expect yourself to be either.

The fact is, you can’t do all of these things all of the time. Don’t beat yourself up if you spend a day in pajamas or get caught up in a news spiral. Take it day-by-day, or hour-by-hour, and do the things you can along the way. We’ve got plenty of time.