The team at Envision Aesthetics is passionate about protecting the well-being of our fellow team members and our amazing clients—both on and off the clock.
While there are a lot of articles, infographics, and even memes floating around on the internet about washing your hands and staying physically healthy, there’s something we think is even more important: our emotional well-being.
During this time of uncertainty, it can be easy to forgo your routine and feel “unsettled.” It’s understandable, between anxiety and stress about what’s going on around you, missing work, the massive amounts of news and information circulating every feed, and the lack of face time we’re all experiencing at the moment.
For many, we don’t really know what to do with ourselves. After all, for decades societal pressures and cultural norms have had Americans working much harder than other developed nations. In fact, a Gallup report from 2014 estimated that the average full-time worker in the United States works 47 hours a week, one of the highest figures in the world.
It’s no surprise, then, that self-isolation—and for many, not working at all—can hit some of us like a brick wall.
Because of this, it’s easy to feel pressured to use this isolation time as an opportunity to complete projects, get things done around our house, or entertain/educate our kids.
However, now more than ever, we think it’s time to truly take pause and focus primarily on staying healthy and well.
If you’re wondering what measures you can (and should) be taking during this time, keep reading for our health, wellness, and skincare tips from the experts at Envision Aesthetics.
Staying Well During Coronavirus
If there’s one absolute truth about what we’re all experiencing, it’s that it’s becoming more apparent than ever that our emotional and spiritual well-being is just as important as our physical.
Below are our favorite tips we practice ourselves to stay well during the coronavirus.
Accept (and welcome) all of your feelings and emotions.
Most of us have never experienced a social shift of this proportion. Globally, people are confused, panicked, and concerned for their own health and the health of others. It is normal to have feelings of dread, guilt, and anxiety. It is normal to feel out of control. It’s what makes us human!
Finding peace means challenging these negative thoughts, and openly sharing those feelings with others. By sharing this burden with your friends and family, this can not only help you find relief; it can also prevent you from feeling trapped or alone in your emotions.
In your day to day, allow negative thoughts to come and go like a passing car or train. And if you ever feel highly overwhelmed or anxious, try channeling this excess energy into something you’re passionate about, whether that’s physical activity like going on a (socially distanced) jog or run; painting; cleaning your house; or writing in a journal.
Prevent information overload.
Psychology and even media experts recommend building yourself a “worry window”—a specific time you set aside for yourself to do research and stay up to date on the situation from *reliable resources*. This allows you to feel less burdened by heavy emotions throughout the rest of your day.
Enjoy a slower pace.
Understand that this period is a time of slowness. Things are moving at a much different pace during our time of quarantine than we are used to. At first, it may feel like you’re slamming your brakes after moving 60 miles per hour on the interstate, but once you reach a nice cruising speed, it’s much easier to adjust and, for lack of a better term, stop and smell the roses.
Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness and meditation can help us regulate our own emotions so we can better pay attention to other people and act more altruistically. It mostly involves feeling “present”—trying to let go of the stressors of the past and the worries of the future. Turn your thoughts inward, focusing on your inhales and exhales. Doing this for as little as 30 seconds can help drastically stabilize and improve your mood. There’s even an app for it.
Don’t lose your connection to the world.
We’re very lucky to live in a time where technology allows us to easily connect with others all over the world. While the obvious downside to this is being inundated with news and information by the minute; there is an upside.
By utilizing messaging apps and texting, as well as video chats and conference calls, we can all start feeling a little less alone and a little more connected. Just be sure to set intentional goals to be sure you don’t fall behind on your communication. You can even create a list of people you want to remain in contact with; and subsequent reminders for yourself to make sure you don’t forget about them!
On top of connecting with your inner circle via your phone or computer, think about expanding your connection to the world as an opportunity to connect with the space around you.
That’s to say, just because you’re practicing social isolation doesn’t mean you need to stay inside at all times. If and when the weather permits, you can explore new hiking trails near you, go for a drive (no rush hour!), or if possible, even just spend time in your own backyard.
This can help you stay grounded, practice mindfulness in action, and make new discoveries about your neighborhood or community that you may not have known about otherwise.
Find what centers you and do it, consistently.
Whether it’s yoga, reading, listening to music, cooking, or cleaning, it’s the perfect opportunity to put your needs and interests first. Prioritize the things that bring you joy and do them. Set a reminder for the same time each day and incorporate it into your new routine.
Eat clean—or as clean as possible.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of eating healthy during this time. It’s easy to binge on “quarantine snacks,” but this can have both short-term effects on your mind and long-term effects on your body. Eating junk food can make you feel tired or sluggish—and that’s the last thing you want to compound with your already increased levels of stress!
It’s understandable that grocery stores may not have the things you need to accomplish this goal. That means it’s time to get creative in the kitchen—or better yet, call for backup. Try snapping a picture of your fridge or cabinet to a friend or family member you know that LOVES cooking and challenge them to come up with a recipe you can make for yourself!
Remember that your physical and emotional well-being speak to one another.
You’ve probably heard a lot about your physical health around this time. But no, we’re not here to tell you to wash your hands (although… Seriously, wash your hands). Instead, we want to remind you to take care of yourself even when there’s nobody left to impress.
People that routinely work from home understand the importance of maintaining their physical well-being and outward appearance on a daily and weekly basis. Obviously, this is not for anyone else’s validation; we know how easy it can be to throw on a sweater for a quick video chat with a client or friend.
If you’ve never had a skincare or overall body care routine, now is the time to start one. Establishing good habits can not only help you slow the outward aging process, but it can help you feel good too.
At minimum, here are the things you should absolutely be doing on a regular basis during your coronavirus quarantine and beyond.
- Wash your face in the morning and at night with soap and water and any other cleansers you prefer.
- Apply lotion and moisturizer as necessary to keep your skin from drying out or cracking.
- Wash your hair as necessary—and avoid applying heat (hair dryer, straightener, curling iron, etc.) as much as possible.
- Maintain manicured (trimmed and clean) nails.
- Wear clean clothes each day and avoid wearing pajamas when performing mentally active activities, and especially while working.
- Anytime you venture outside, always apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes beforehand.
- Take a multivitamin every day around the same time, along with any other vitamins recommended by your doctor.
Practicing these basic tips and maintaining a routine of physical care can help lift your spirits and bring about an overall sense of normalcy—which we could all use right now.
Take this time for yourself.
While these may be uncertain times, we are certain about one thing: supporting and uplifting each other is essential to getting through it.
From everyone on the Envision team, we wish you a healthy and safe quarantine.
Our office is currently open for emergency and post-op visits only. Although we are answering calls on a limited basis, we are frequently checking messages to triage patients. If you need to contact us, you can call our office at 585-491-7078 or you can fill out our online form.