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The unknown and uncertainty of the current global pandemic, and of our individual work or living arrangements can cause us to feel stressed or anxious. Entire families are home together all day and night. Regular outlets like socialising, attending events, or going to the gym are no longer possible. Along with the online onslaught of rapidly updating media stories reporting worst case scenarios can be overwhelming and fuels fear and panic. 

Our routines have been disrupted, and we are certainly facing serious challenges related to depression, anxiety and emotional exhaustion because of this.That is why it is essential that we make time for ourselves to feel and ensure we are taking care of our mind and our bodies to the best of our ability.

So, how can we support ourselves and others through this crisis? Here are some of the self-care tips for your mental and physical health during this COVID19 crisis.

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Take Care of Your Body. Be mindful about your physical health. 

• Get enough sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same times each day. Stick close to your typical schedule, even if you're staying at home. This will be especially helpful when we are on the other end of this and you have to get back to your normal routine!

• Stay active and participate in regular physical activity. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. It can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. 

• Drink plenty of water, eat some good and nutritious foods, and maybe challenge yourself to learn how to cook something new. Food can be a nice source of comfort during stressful times — allow yourself to enjoy it.

• Relax and recharge. Make some time for yourself to unwind and try some other activities you enjoy. Even a few minutes of quiet time can be refreshing and help to quiet your mind and reduce anxiety. 

Take care of your mind and reduce stress triggers.

• Set a routine for you and your loved ones to help build consistency. Maintaining a regular schedule is important to your mental health. This predictability can make you feel more in control.

• Limit your social media and COVID-19 coverage intake. Look for reliable sources such as the CDC and WHO and set limits on your consumption (once a day, or no more than one hour a day, etc.).

• Focus on positive thoughts. Find at least one thing to feel positive or grateful about every day. Start with finding one thing that makes you smile, laugh, or feel good each day, such as a funny meme or YouTube video, a heartwarming story, or a song with a hopeful message. And don’t forget to share your positivity with others!

• Set priorities. Set reasonable goals each day and outline steps you can take to reach those goals. Give yourself credit for every step in the right direction, no matter how small. And recognize that some days will be better than others.

Connect with others and build support and strengthen relationships.

• Reach out to your support networks. Find time each day to make virtual connections by email, texts, phone, or FaceTime or similar apps. If you're working remotely from home, ask your co-workers how they're doing and share coping tips. 

• Figure out a way to help others and find purpose in helping the people around you. 

• Support a family member or friend. If a family member or friend needs to be isolated for safety reasons or gets sick and needs to be quarantined at home or in the hospital, come up with ways to stay in contact. 

Remember, this is a new normal, but it is a temporary normal.Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. We hope this helps. Stay home and stay safe!