International Self Care Day: 5 ways to indulge in self-care at home

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International Self Care Day is observed on July 24 across the globe. With Coronavirus continuing to impact our daily lives, self-care has never been more important. Living with the constant fear of the virus coupled with loss of social engagement and routine has left many struggling. Taking care of one's mental and physical being, indulging in hobbies, and connecting with friends and family are all key aspects of self-care. Online platforms have provided much support and given us access to most in-person events and experiences, but we must make conscious choices to adapt self-care activities in our daily lives. Below, we list a few exciting self-care activities that one can engage in solo via virtual mediums from the safety of their homes.

Meditate

As increased levels of stress and anxiety continue to be widely reported globally across age groups, it is safe to say that the impact of the pandemic and its associated restrictions on mental health has been catastrophic. Being mindful is an effective way of dealing with increased anxiety and stress. The Mindhouse app offers courses on breath work, modern meditation, and much more based on scientifically-backed techniques like visualisation and mindfulness. Take a guided meditation class or listen to nature soundscapes or calming musical tracks, to unwind and connect with yourself.

Available on iOS and Android

Journal

The benefits of journaling range from alleviating stress to inspiring creativity. Keeping an account of your thoughts also helps you to prioritize tasks and keep track of concerns. Jour is among the most popular digital journal apps that makes practices used by CBT experts and therapists accessible and interactive. The app gives users access to interactive guides that are tailored to address anxiety, improve confidence, and focus on goal setting.

Available on iOS and Android

Musical afternoon

There aren't many things in life that can set the mood, like music. Spend a lazy afternoon listening to jazz with the Discovering Jazz podcast. Hosted by Larry the Radio Guy, the podcast treats listeners to a number of melodious performances alongside intriguing stories and trivia. Jazz enthusiasts will especially enjoy the host digging into his record collection and sharing his personal favourites.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Happy Hour

Learning a new skill can make one feel a sense of achievement, leads to increased satisfaction, and is a critical component of self-care. If you have dearly missed happy hour this past year at your favourite bar, the Mix World-Class Cocktails - Secrets of a Champion Mixologist class can be a fun thing to do. Designed for cocktail home enthusiasts, the class teaches participants to mix 16 of the most popular cocktails across the globe. 2.5 hours of expertly guided video content ensures that even amateurs can acquire the skills needed to shake, stir, layer, and build classic as well as contemporary cocktails.

Available on udemy.com

Story time

Even though dating seems far-fetched right now, there is nothing better to wrap up a day than a hopeful romance. A New York Times column at first, Modern Love has evolved to become a podcast as well as an Amazon webseries. The podcast features true stories of love, loss, and redemption and gives us a peek into the complicated love lives of real people. If you appreciate deeply moving, inspiring, and engaging storytelling, chances are that this podcast will serve you incredibly well.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts