Taking Care of You

A Reading List for Self-Care in the Age of COVID

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

For much of the past year, COVID has confined us to our homes. With the dawn of a new year and spring just around the corner, there is a reason for hope and optimism. If you are like most people, you have some extra time to manage. Use it wisely to come out of lockdown healthy, happy and ready to roll.

There are three main elements to health; physical, mental, and social or the “health triangle.” COVID has impacted them all. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people will experience a wide range of reactions to the disruption of the pandemic. While it is normal to feel “sad, worried, confused, scared or angry”, it is a cause for concern if it starts to affect your sleep. Or if those feelings worsen and become helplessness, boredom or depression.

The present pandemic highlights the need for all of us to practice self care. It is the perfect opportunity to reflect, recharge and reset. Here are some ideas and best-selling books from Amazon.com to help you as you prepare to emerge from hibernation.

Healthy Body, Healthy Spirit

While you may be tempted to stay on the couch all day and binge watch Netflix, you will regret it later.

Regular exercise has been shown to ward off depression and anxiety. It can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood once a day. Yoga has proven to have many benefits that go beyond just physical fitness. One of the hottest exercise books on Amazon is “Restorative Yoga for Beginners: Gentle Poses for Relaxation & Healing” by Julia Clarke.

Keeping oneself well-fed is just as important and these days many people are turning to comfort foods and a new interest in cooking. One of the best- selling cookbooks is “The Step- by- Step Instant Pot Cookbook” by Jeffery Eisner.

Emotional Life

Mental health is another part of overall health. Emotional health increases confidence and helps with stress management, especially in these difficult times. Uncertainty and anxiety have given many of us a negative commentary in our minds. “Detox Your Thoughts: Quit Negative Self Talk and Discover the Life You’ve Always Wanted” by Andrea Bonoir, Phd., will teach you how. Turn a negative into a positive and silence that unwanted inner chatter.

The Material World

Self-care is an aspect of social wellness. It begins with the environment we live in. Why not look around your home and see what changes you can make? “This is Home: The Art of Simple Living” by Natalie Walton will come to the rescue.

A new beauty routine could also be a much - needed pick me up. Check out “Glow From Within” by Joanna Vargas and revolutionize how you treat your skin. And while you are dreaming about the new wardrobe you might buy after lockdown ends, how about “Harper’s Bazaar: First in Fashion” by Marianne Le Galliard, for inspiration?

Lockdown does not have to be all dreariness and gloom. It can be a time to try new things and to take stock of what has happened before. Face the future with confidence.