Simply put, self-love is defined as your regard for your own happiness and well-being. 

Self-love is all about knowing your worth, practicing self-respect, and listening to your own needs. 

While self-love is considered selfish by some, it is crucial.

Especially now that we live in challenging times and have to make unprecedented and sometimes unconventional adjustments and decisions.

Show yourself some much needed love by keeping in mind the following self-care basics:

Tip 1: Make a plan.

Taking action is an excellent way to effectively manage your anxiety and channel any nervous energy. 

It is also important to prepare yourself and your loved ones before community spread worsens.

You need to also read and follow the advice provided by health-protection agencies and make sure you and your loved ones are protected at all times.

Tip 2: Take care of your health.

If you have any chronic conditions, ensure that they are managed accordingly. 

Chronic conditions that are left unmanaged might cause more problems in the event that you get infected.

That said, if you have been taking for granted measures that can help manage your chronic conditions make sure you do it.

Take your maintenance meds, use your inhaler, test your blood sugar—do whatever it takes to get your conditions in check.

Tip 3: Stop smoking.

While not listed specifically as people at risk, smokers are considered at a higher risk of developing serious complications if infected.

While quitting the habit is not easy, neither is getting pneumonia or breathing through a respirator.

If anything, it would be ideal to cut back on the number of cigarettes you consume daily.

Cutting back on the number of cigarettes would be a good place to start.

Tip 4: Minimise your stress.

In these challenging times, self-soothing can go a long way.

In essence, self-soothing is the “deliberate action of comforting or calming yourself when you’re distressed or unhappy.”

Below are some self-soothing practices you can use to minimise stress and negative feelings and emotions:

• Sight. Wear a sleep mask. Enjoy a coloring book. Look at colorful fishes. Take your time looking at colors that soothe you.
• Touch. Take a hot or cold shower. Get a massage. Wrap yourself up in a weighted or heated blanket.
• Sound. Play nature sounds. Listen to calm and relaxing music. Listen to guided meditation.
• Smell. Use aromatherapy scents. Breathe in some fresh air. Burn incense. Light some scented candles.
• Taste. Eat slowly. Relish nostalgic foods. Sample strong flavors.

Tip 5: Minimise TV time significantly.

Watching TV less can help ensure you worry less and you stay calm.

It can also help if you remove the TV from your bedroom and not watch anything that can trigger your anxiety before sleeping.

It would also be a good idea to refrain from watching the news. 

This is especially true if it is one of the triggers that can send you to the edge.

Tip 6: Tend to your sleep.

Sleep can be elusive especially when you are thinking about and worrying about so many things. To help ensure you get some quality sleep, keep in mind the following:

• Do a wind down. A few hours before bedtime, prepare your body to rest by engaging in some relaxing ritual like a warm bath or some aromatherapy candle.
• Avoid any screen at least an hour before bed. The blue light emitted by your tablets, mobile phones, and TV screens can keep your brain constantly awake. Activate your phone’s night shift function or use blue light blocking glasses.

Over to You

Taking care of yourself and practicing self-love during these challenging times is not only important—it is crucial to your survival.