Tag: Covid-19

How to Look and Feel Amazing When Money Is Tight

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As a whole, our priorities have shifted since mid-March. Unfortunately, this is due in part to widespread job losses, which make it exponentially more challenging to invest money and energy into things like self-care. But now is perhaps the most important time in your life to care for yourself, and you don’t have to let a damaged budget get in your way.

Eat Well

There is no disputing that the food you put into your body has a significant effect on your mind as well. Make a point to eat foods that can help stave off stress and depression, which can prevent you from falling back into unhealthy habits. This includes things like turkey breast, sweet potatoes, carrots, and avocados. You might also want to add Apple cider vinegar to your daily diet. According to a Sweet Pea Chef blog, apple cider vinegar has many benefits, perhaps the most appealing of which is that it reduces belly fat and lowers your cholesterol. It’s also one of the most affordable items on your store shelf.

Elevate Your Hygiene Routine

More than likely, you can’t get to the salon or spa just yet. But that does not mean that you can’t treat yourself to a spa experience at home. Check out self-care product sellers, such as Bath & Body Works and Sephora, for little indulgences that can help you keep your skin in top shape throughout the pandemic. Smoothing body scrubs are a great addition to your hygiene arsenal, and, with a little research, you might even find Sephora promo codes and coupons that can help you justify your purchase that much more.

Ramp Up Your Comfort

If you’ve been spending more time at home and want to stay comfortable without living in your pajamas and robe, it’s time to make a point to get dressed every day. Putting on clothes and preparing for your day can go a long way toward helping you feel better emotionally and can even put some bounce in your step. So take the time to plan an outfit the night before, even if it’s jeans and your favorite T-shirt. For extra motivation, you could use savvy spending to buy a few items like some comfortable pants, a cozy dress or a new bra. There’s truth in the saying that when you look good, you feel good.

Save Your Sanity with Fitness

Exercise is not just something you do for your physical health. Working out, whether walking (while socially distanced, of course), running, or lifting weights provides a direct outlet for your brain to produce endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can help you better appreciate what you do have — health, family, etc. — instead of fixating on what you’ve lost. But exercise equipment can get pricey, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with multi-purpose equipment that will help you stretch the money you can spend. An exercise ball, for example, costs around $20 for a high-quality one and can help you work your abs as well as perform balance exercises.

Take an Hour for Yourself Every Day

Chances are, you have more time now than ever. Evaluate whether or not you’re using it in your best interest. If you find that you’re spending all your time taking care of everyone else, which is a likely scenario, think of ways you can break free from your responsibilities for an hour every day. You might, for example, launch a Zoom meeting with your best friends or paint your nails. Similarly, there are plenty of binge-worthy TV shows available for free or through your current streaming services that can give you a mental break from reality. Don’t have an hour? Even 15 minutes calling your best friend or writing in a journal may be the internal respite you need to feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the day may bring.

Right now, self-care should be a top priority. And no matter what this looks like to you, whether you want to stay fit, change your diet, or pamper yourself a bit, it matters that you do it. Remember, you cannot run on an empty tank, and you have to fuel your mind and body to look and feel your best each and every day. And you don’t have to go broke to do it.

 

Image via Pexels

Thanks to author Cheryl Conklin at Wellness Central for the content.

 

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3 Things to Know About Change & COVID-19

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You likely have your hands full right now, as you’re dealing with both minor and major changes to your lifestyle and routine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But you can use this time to improve your life, cope with recent changes, and maybe even thrive.

Stress Can Make It Harder to Make Smart Decisions  

As Harvard Business Review explains, stress and decision-making don’t mix well together. Reactions in your brain can make it harder to make decisions objectively.  So if you have any major life decisions that you can put off until the COVID-19 crisis begins to settle down, you may want to do so. This can include changing jobs, changing homes, or changing social connections.

Now when it comes to smaller decisions, like coloring your own hair or picking up a new hobby, making mistakes isn’t really that big of a deal, and in fact, learning from smaller mistakes can help you avoid major missteps in the future.

Of course, there are a few common pandemic changes that can help you alleviate feelings of stress. One such transition is to adopt a pet. Pets can provide a whole host of health and wellness benefits, including reducing feelings of anxiety and tension. Plus you can pick up any pet supplies you need, including a comfy cat bed, by researching and buying products online. Choosing the right supplies will also make this transition easier for you and your new pet. Just keep in mind that pets are a long-term commitment, and your new buddy will likely be around long after the pandemic ebbs.

But Sometimes Major Life Changes Simple Can’t Wait

Holding off on major transitions is a luxury that some people may not have right now, so it’s also helpful to understand how to make those changes with the least amount of risk. For example, buying a home can already be a challenging process, but doing so in the middle of a pandemic can be even more complicated.

If you must move in the next month or two, protect yourself from unintentional risks by asking for 3D walkthroughs, video conferences and virtual signings rather than dealing with these tasks face-to-face. Knowing how to safely manage a move amid restrictions and health hazards can also prove crucial if you need to relocate soon.

With so many business and employment shifts, you may also find yourself in need of a sudden career transition—it might even be triggering your housing transition. Rather than feeling stressed by the need or desire to find a new vocation, try to focus on the benefits that extra time at home can provide for this shift. You should have more time to work on new skills and projects that will help with your new career.

Extra Support Can Make Coping With Change Easier

Dealing with a global pandemic, business closures and other COVID-19 effects in conjunction with major lifestyle changes can be a lot for anyone to take on alone. So if you are currently experiencing these sorts of overwhelming transitions, reaching out for help can provide the advice and relief needed to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

If you are looking for emotional support, you can seek help from psychotherapist Shushan Khachatryan, who can help you deal with complex feelings and issues brought about by the pandemic. Psychotherapy can provide the support necessary to process feelings of loneliness, panic, or any other mental health concerns, and can provide insights for managing various emotions.

The coronavirus pandemic means millions of people scrambling to keep up with constant change. Not to mention those same people are also trying to deal with ever-changing emotions. Make sure you have everything you need to handle and adapt to this unprecedented time.

Author: Jennifer Scott

Photo Credit: Unsplash

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