Emotional Wellness During Covid

These are very difficult times for so many of us. The uncertainty of a new disease like Covid-19, the impact it’s having on our lives – from loss of jobs to isolation from family and friends – and with the coming months of winter, the fear of increased lockdowns looms. Health professionals are talking more and more these days about the importance of our emotional wellness at a time when so many are dealing with physical wellness. Our ability to handle life's stresses, successfully, and adapt to change and difficult times is our emotional wellness and it’s a good idea for each of us to check in on our personal emotional wellness at times like this – and check on those we know and love.

If you’re feeling increased stress and anxiety, having a hard time sleeping, see a change in your eating patterns, are choosing unhealthy outlets like alcohol and tobacco – these, and other symptoms, may be a sign you need to look closely at your emotional wellness and make some changes. As with all wellness needs if you, or know someone you know, are in immediate need of help there are a number of resources, including calling 911. If your needs are milder, there are additional things you can do at home to work on your emotional wellness.

We talk a lot about self-care at Spa Theory. It’s the reason why Spa Theory started in the first place. We fundamentally believe in the power of self-care. It’s a belief rooted deeply in science and backed by studies. What it means is that it’s OK to put yourself and your needs first. Recognize that you matter and focus on yourself for 5, 10, 15 minutes a day. It will have a great benefit to how you are the rest of the day, and the days after that.

Have you ever done a self-care audit? Look at your day from the moment you are awake until you go to sleep – how many of those minutes are you focused on you and you alone? And no, helping the kids brush their teeth while you brush yours doesn’t count. See if you can schedule 5 minutes or more on your calendar of just “you-time.” A tip: set the alarm for 5 minutes earlier and spend those 5 minutes meditating in bed or doing a deep breathing exercise.

Emotional wellness comes down to being aware, acknowledging your needs, making the decision that your emotional wellness is important, planning what you can do about it, and then taking the action to make it a reality.

And for those of us with kids…we’re also teaching them important life-lessons on wellness and taking care of themselves mentally.