The Ultimate List of Ideas for Self-Care During Quarantine

Self-care during quarantine is pretty essential during these long days that are full with so many emotions swirling around. I know for myself, I can oscillate between anxiety and calm in a nanosecond.

In this post, I'm going to share self-care ideas and activities for yourself and your children as well, if you have them. This is one you're gonna want to bookmark because I'm sharing a lot.

Table of Contents

Importance of self-care during a crisis

With the chaos going on in the world right now and with so many of us at home or sitting at work waiting for the next coronavirus update, it's easier to get lost in our phones or anxiety-laden conversations with others.

But this is truly the time to recognize that holistic self-care is the one thing that can connect you to your inner calm. It's possible to get through this pandemic staying mostly grounded and connected.

Even though this experience is making people want to take action from a place of fear, it's a million times more powerful to go within right now, since that's where our power really lies.

Self-care ideas during quarantine

There are so many forms of self-care and I encourage you to pick what you feel pulled towards. Essentially, the goal is to feel more still inside yourself. More calm. Going with the flow rather than against it.

These are some ideas for self-care during this stressful time, to make the most of it and to create serenity where there is panic.

1. Create or update your sacred space

My space is a little "fancy" because I've been collecting crystals and candles for awhile, but honestly all you need is a space that holds your self-care tools. A space that feels like your own reprieve from the world.

It may be an end table next to the couch where you always sit. You could put a candle, essential oil diffuser or incense there if like aromatherapy. Keep a few books and a journal there as well, and keep it tidy. This is your sacred space.

I've recently cleared my self-care space of almost everything I had on it. My mind and soul are craving clarity and space. Feel into what you're wanting to cultivate.

Is it space? Coziness? Simple or beautifully eclectic? What makes you breathe easier right now? What makes you excited?

Read more: How I Set Up My Meditation Space

2. Create a nourishing self-care routine

Self-care routines should be fluid because our lives are fluid. Prime example is the virus pandemic that's happening right now. It's going to have you needing things in your daily routine that you might've not needed last month.

Your routine also needs to match you, not Martha Stewart or that woman who seems to always have it together on Instagram (she doesn't).

Questions to ask yourself in order to help you narrow in on what kind of self-care routine would be most beneficial for you:

Am I morning person or a night owl?
What time of the day is hardest for me mentally/emotionally?
What are quick and easy activities that help recenter me?
Where do I have the most free time?
How have I been feeling most often recently?
What am I needing most right now?

3. A grounding morning routine

Morning Worksheet

Whether you're a morning owl or not (I'm not) the morning is one of the best times to stabilize yourself for the day. Your energy is fresh and you have a clean slate.

You get to choose whose energy will affect yours (unless you're a parent, and then we all know you don't get a choice in that regard [ha!], but the world at large is the most draining of your energy).

Here's a few ideas for a grounding morning routine:

Avoid social media, emails or the news for at least the first hour.
Whatever it is you consume in the morning, really savor it. Make the best cup of coffee or use your favorite mug. Take your time preparing your beverages or food. This in itself is a form of meditation and is so calming.
Do something that soothes and grounds you, such as meditation, EFT tapping or journaling.
Practice some morning stretches, or go for a walk with your pup or kids. Move your body in a way that feels good.

Throughout the day, move your body when you can. Eat food that makes you feel good. Stay hydrated. At the same time, don't beat yourself up if you don't do these things.

Take deep breaths in tense moments. Listen to the birds. Pet your dog or cat. Take naps. Get fresh air. Sit in the sunshine. Hold your babies or partner. Check in on those you love. Spend time in a chat group if you live alone.

4. A night routine for releasing stress

Nighttime self-care is best for releasing the energy you've picked up throughout your day in the form of thoughts, worries or the lowering of your vibration overall.

Make the most of your shower or bath (if you take one at night). Bathe in low lighting. Visualize the water washing away the day. Use a soap that doubles as aromatherapy; this one is my absolute favorite, and you can get it at almost any store. The scent is just so relaxing.
Have low lighting in your room. Meditate or just lay on your bed in silence for 15-20 minutes, focusing on a sound. Let your mind be gently guided back when you realize it's wandered off. Meditation connects you to something so powerful and still inside of you. Please, meditate!!
Process your emotions by either doing EFT tapping or journaling. Check out the Tapping Solution app, which has many free meditations, to learn how to tap as well as release emotions in about 5-8 minutes.

Pick up your space; you'll feel better when not surrounded by clutter. Keep the lighting low throughout your house; this lets your nervous system destimulate. Take deep breaths. Watch something funny on tv. Laugh. Have sex. Fall asleep reading something that makes you feel hopeful and alive.

Forgive yourself and everyone around you for anything that didn't go the way you wanted it to during the day. You all did the best you could–this is a stressful time.

Self-care for mental health

What's happening in the world right now is a lot to handle. It's times like these when it's crucial to put what you know into action. It might be easier to grab the wine or phone, but being more intentional with your time reaps the most amazing rewards–namely, sanity.

1. Boost your mental wellness

Mental health is improved by things like spending quality time alone, tending to your energy field, processing your emotions, doing things that you actually enjoy (shocker, I know), and taking your needs seriously.

Read all about that here: 5 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Mental Wellness

2. Practice self-love

You might think self-love has nothing to do with quarantine, but then you'd be wrong.

This is THE perfect time to take the self-love drawer and dump it out. If you're a normal human being, your drawer is likely full of mostly dust and self-deprecating inner voice comments.

Take this time as a gift to get to know yourself better, to think about how you want to show up in the world and what boundaries need to be in place in order to do that.

3. Process your emotions

In order to release emotions, they need to be acknowledged and processed. I say this mainly for emotions that keep showing up in your daily experience. Those are the bad boys that need further inspection and removal.

During this pandemic, we all have emotions that need to be processed right now. It feels so good to take the time to do this.

4. Work through depression

If you're in a place of depression right now, self-care looks a little different for you due to the fact that it's really the last thing you feel like doing.

Please read this article I wrote for you and know that you are never alone. If you can't seem to get started on your own, please reach out to someone you trust or call this confidential, 24/7 hour hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Ideas for kids during quarantine

If you have kids, they're likely home with you since schools across the country have shut down, some for a few weeks and others are out for the rest of the semester.

I homeschool so I do have some resources that you might find helpful.

1. Daily schedule for kids

I really recommend not getting too anal with a schedule, but I do agree that some sort of schedule can really help everyone with expectations.

One of the first lessons I learned during homeschooling is that there is so much more to life than "book work". I was trying to do school at home and that's really not possible if you want happy children and happy parents.

Learning at home is more fluid; less structured. More inspired; less forced. Kids actually learn so much more through play and just living life with the adults around them.

Here's a picture of our daily at-home, quarantine-friendly schedule that will make you feel better about yourself!

This is really just our general outline for days when we're at home all day (which is every single day now!). But as you can see, it's very lax. The time I spend with my kids here and there all throughout the day is truly immeasurable, and same goes for you.

If you don't do screen time, you can add in things like:

Reading time
Puzzles
Crafts
Games
Outdoor time
Yoga/exercise of some sort

We do add in random things like morning/evening walks now that the weather is warming up, sitting on the porch together, etc.

2. Cosmic Kids Yoga

I looove Cosmic Kids Yoga. We have been using their videos for years and my two kids love them.

Beyond sharing engaging yoga videos, they also teach kids important life skills like mindfulness, meditation and how to deal with hard things (like nightmares). Here are a few of our favorite videos:

3. Craft ideas & indoor games for kids

Thank the Universe for Pinterest. You can find craft ideas to last you a lifetime over there. Personally, I loathe craft time which is why we experiment with different subscription boxes that send me crafts in a box. Here's a few cool ones you can check out:

We Craft Box: curated for kids 3-9
Little Dreamers Club: craft boxes for two age groups, 3-5 and 6-8
Wonder Crate: books and fun activities to introduce kids to inspirational role models and spark their curiosity

Read more: Indoor Games for Kids

4. Self-care for kids

Kids need just as much self-care and emotional processing as adults right now. Yes, they are way better than us at finding things to be happy about, but they pick up on and feel your energy throughout the day. They may be worrying too about the state of their world.

This is another great opportunity to take the down time you have to set up self-care practices with your kids. Mine particularly love when I do EFT tapping on them before bed. (I haven't written a post on that yet but just get the Tapping Solution app–it's free and teaches you how to do it. It's easy and powerful stuff).

Read more: Sacred Self-Care for Kids

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you. Sending you lots of love during this time–love and sanity!

For holistic self-care tips every Sunday afternoon, you can sign up for the Dwell in Magic weekly newsletter.

If you’d like more real life examples of daily self-care, you can connect with me on Instagram.

And if you’d like more direct support and community with like-minded people, come join the Dwell in Magic Facebook group.

With love,

Jessica

Jessica Dimas is the creator of Manifesting Magic with the Moon, a holistic self-care ritual bundle.

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Jessica Dimas

Jessica is the founder of the site Dwell in Magic, where she shares how to practically apply everyday self-care for a more magical, joy-filled life. Her writing has been featured on Today, HuffPost, Scary Mommy, Redbook Magazine, Motherly, and many more. She is passionate about metaphysical studies, transformation and personal growth.

Comments

Mary
March 25, 2020 at 7:17 pm
I truly love all the Info and gentle words of encouragement. In these difficult times your
Words really has helped me. Thank u so much.
Love your blog❤️
- Jessica Dimas
  March 25, 2020 at 9:03 pm
  Thank you, Mary <3 I'm so glad you found some comfort here. Sending you lots of love!