How to Practice Self-care in 5 minutes During COVID-19

It is important to take care of your mind, body and soul during these unprecedented times of COVID-19. Learning how to eat healthy balanced meals, exercise regularly, sleep and take time out when you need are all crucial elements of self-care.

Try these

Practicing self-care might not come naturally, or feel so easy to do when you’re stuck at home, so here are a few five minute activities that you might like to try.

• Stop for a few moments and drink a glass of water while you look out a window. What do you see and hear? What do you feel?
• Write down three things you have achieved today and take a moment to celebrate these successes.
• Message or call someone you love to show gratitude.
• Outside, take your shoes and socks off (weather permitting) and let your feet feel the grass. Take a walk on the grass and then stand in one spot.
• Pick some flowers from your garden and arrange them in a small vase.
• Put on your favourite song - listen, sing or dance.
• Drink a glass of water then sit and focus on your breath. Inhale and exhale and allow your breath to become deeper. Continue for 1 minute and build to 3 minutes.
• Do some simple stretches in the morning. Let your body guide you.

Building a practice

Start with one activity and build towards adding three to your daily self-care routine. Take time to reflect on how you feel before and after each of these activities. Self-care can help to reduce stress and build resilience.  Encourage other members within your household to participate in the self-care routine. Perhaps it is something you can do together? Or perhaps as a household you can come up with some of your own activities to add to the list above?

Be kind to yourself and reach out to family, friends or your general practitioner if you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, uninspired or unwell. Yarra Ranges Council has also developed a list of local supports and services available for the Yarra Ranges community. Please visit the Be Kind to Yourself webpage for more information and resources.     

You can contact the YRC Family & Children’s Services team on 1300 368 333 or by email at earlyyears@yarraranges.vic.gov.au