May 18, 2020
By Madison Sofield
Staff Writer
It is tough having to stay inside all day doing nothing but schoolwork. Therefore, it is the perfect time to practice self-care and do what you can to keep yourself healthy and occupied while staying at home.
One way I take care of myself is by washing my face. I cleanse my face every day to keep acne away and to help myself wake up in the morning.
Another self-care tip is exercising. There are so many different apps I use such as 7 Minute Workout or 30 Day Fitness. I do this every other day since the exercises can get exhausting. At the end of each workout, I feel really good about myself because I’ve accomplished my goal and have warded off laziness.
To maintain a good diet while sheltering in place, I try to stick to fresh fruits and various healthy snacks. I love to eat apple slices coated with peanut butter because they are healthy but still tastes good.
Smoothies and protein shakes are another healthy and easy-to-prepare food item to have while staying at home. There are many different recipes on the internet for smoothies and protein shakes, so you’ll be sure to find one you like once you try out a few of them. Some of the most common smoothie ingredients include peanut butter, bananas and fresh or frozen berries such as strawberries or raspberries.
Whenever it’s a nice day out, my siblings and I make an effort to go outside. We sometimes take a walk around the neighborhood, making sure to stay at least six feet apart from people outside our household.
After I finish my school work for the day, I use Snapchat to catch up with my friends and cousins. This helps me feel good because it keeps me from feeling lonely, and staying in contact with friends and family is so important. I even participate in Zoom meetings with extended family members to see how they are doing while stuck in their homes.
Whenever it’s a nice day out, my siblings and I make an effort to go outside. We sometimes take a walk around the neighborhood, making sure to stay at least six feet apart from people outside our household.
We also play Ladder Golf in our yard. This is a game in which players throw a string that is attached to two golf-sized balls. These are known as bolas. The objective of the game is for the string to land on one of the rungs of a ladder that can be built or bought. Each rung of the ladder has a different point value. Whichever team gets to exactly 21 points first wins.
My parents, siblings and I hold weekly movie nights where we all gather together in the living room to watch a film together. Sometimes, we watch content that is available on Disney+, and other times we watch a DVD that we already own.
Social distancing is challenging, but it has also taught me the importance of using technology to stay connected, developing at-home routines and spending time with my immediate family. All of this makes me feel happy, healthy and accomplished. There is so much uncertainty in the world right now, but a little bit of self-care can go a long way when it comes to achieving and maintaining peace of mind.
