The Important of Self Care During COVID

m.e. nesser

            “Now where did I put my mask?” Who would have ever thought that a square piece of cloth would be such an integral part of our lives? Milk and eggs used to be staples in the household, but now we are stacking up on masks, hand sanitizers, Lysol, bleach wipes, and even toilet paper. Many of us were forced to apply for unemployment for the first time in our lives just to help pay the bills. We even have a new vocabulary. COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, CDC, social distancing, isolation, quarantine, incubation, asymptomatic, and epidemic are just some of the words that have infiltrated our language. To make matters even more catastrophic is the fact that millions of us are living in fear. We are afraid of getting the virus or losing someone we love to it.

            Way too many people have suffered in 2020. Being controlled by this obscure virus is taking its toll on millions of people, and this fear is exasperated by the political and social unrest in our society. It’s just too much. Countless numbers of men and women are struggling with anxiety and depression. I personally know people who have attempted suicide and some that have been successful in their attempt. The fear is tearing us apart. Marriages are dissolving, businesses are closing, and too many people are out of work. Months of isolation have been extremely detrimental to the emotional and psychological well being of our society.

            As the owner of two beauty salons in Rochester, New York, I’ve noticed so much sadness and anxiety amongst my clients that it’s hard not to internalize their misery and feel their pain. When I empathize with everyone’s grief, however, it affects my own wellbeing. In order to protect myself from getting sick, I’ve had to make a conscious effort to focus on the positive things in my life and feel gratitude for the blessings that I do have and try not to dwell on the sadness of others.  Moreover, the struggles surrounding my friends, family, coworkers, and clients are not exclusively an upstate New York problem; our world is in crisis. I’ve noticed that many of my clients have gained weight, started taking anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications, are seeing therapists, have split with their spouses or are having marital problems, have lost their jobs, closed their businesses, and are losing their mind over homeschooling their children. Yes, 2020 sucks.

            So, how do we try to stay positive through all the craziness? I think we need to make our own sanity and well being a priority. For me, daily exercise is imperative. I don’t want to gain any COVID weight and, more importantly, I need an outlet for my own stressors. We need to make healthy food choices because processed, fried, and fast foods do not encourage a healthy lifestyle, body, or mind. When I was out of work for 14 weeks, I started a cooking blog called The Hungry Hoo-Ha because I needed a hobby to fill the void while I wasn’t working. The only reason I mentioned the name is because I think keeping a sense of humor is vital to our mental health as well. Listen up my friends, you need to laugh more. Another reason I started the food blog is because I’ve made food a priority in my life. Since I suffer from arthritis and fibromyalgia, I understand the importance of eating well and the correlation between healthy food choices and wellness. I wasn’t going to use the pandemic as an excuse for sloppy behaviors, because the only person that was going to suffer was yours truly.

            Although we were able to reopen our salons in June, about one third of our clients have still not returned. Working from home, worrying about money, and the threat of contracting the virus has kept many of our regulars confined to their homes and fearful to venture out. I totally understand their absence; I just miss seeing them. It worries me that self-care has become a distant memory for a lot of people.

            If the environment is safe, I don’t think hibernating from others and ignoring the activities that bring you joy is a healthy behavior. Self-care needs to be a priority. Now more than ever, we need to focus on doing whatever we can to feel as good as possible in a safe and healthy manner. Our salon is following all the safety procedures, for example, because we cannot afford to close again. I know a lot of other businesses that are being just as conscientious about being as safe as we are because another shut down would be financially catastrophic to my husband and I. The clients that have returned are so grateful for the services we offer, and it has been such a pleasure to see everyone after such a long absence. And, believe me, we appreciate each and every person that walks through our door. Getting a haircut, a pedicure and manicure, waxing, facial, or even lashes can be just what the doctor ordered during this crazy time. As I sit here writing this article in my bare feet, it makes me happy to see my freshly manicured toes. I also felt so much better having my hair highlighted last week. With all the negativity in our society, you need to take care of yourself before you make yourself sick. I truly believe that in a time when the government is controlling our actions, doing things to improve your mental and physical state give you back some of the control that has been taken from you.

            If you can’t afford to go to a salon, take the time to pamper yourself at home. You may not be the best at polishing your nails, but it’ll still look better than chipped, overgrown toenails that are getting caught in your sheets. There are other things you can do for yourself as well. Light some candles and take a nice, long bath. Get outside and go for a long walk. Buy a home waxing kit and wax your legs. Give yourself a home facial and drink extra water. Do whatever it is you need to do that will make YOU feel better. I believe that self-care refers to your emotional, physical, and psychological health, and nothing is more important than that – especially now.

            When you take care of yourself then it’s easier for you to share those good and positive feelings with others. Don’t think taking time for you is being selfish. On the contrary, it is the healthiest thing you can do not only for yourself but for your loved ones as well. Make sure you’re staying hydrated (with something besides wine) and getting adequate rest. Also remember to shower or bathe daily and wash your hair when needed. Too many clients have admitted that they’ve become lazy in their hygiene, which acts as a catalyst to other neglectful behaviors.

            Don’t let your fear rule your life. Take your control back by taking care of yourself!

            Have a great day!