By The BroglieBox Team
5 min read

Ever since quarantine started, plans have changed, events have been cancelled and vacations have been postponed. If you’re someone who has especially struggled with your mental health these past few months, you need remember to take time for yourself to de-stress. Taking a day off or stepping away from work for some self-care activities help us stay healthy, happy, and resilient. It’s essential to set aside time dedicated to relaxing and recharging. Being in quarantine and social distancing can have a negative impact on all of us in one way or another, so we want to make sure we are combating it with good habits and practices instead! We asked our contributing writers and peers this question on how they are practicing self-care and staying positive in these trying times:

How are you taking time to relax and recharge, especially if you had to cancel an event or your typical vacation plans?

Please Note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

In the past I would never give myself a day off and I would push myself past mental and physical exhaustion. I realized that if I’m not giving back to myself, I can’t give 100% to anything or anyone. Now, I regularly give myself mental health days and make sure I am constantly asking myself, what do I need right now. Sometimes it’s a hike, scheduling a dinner with friends, or getting a massage but the most important thing I have learned is to tune into my own needs.

– Kayleigh Christina, Co-Founder & COO of
CLEARstem, clearstemskincare.com, IG: @kayleigh.christina 

We had to cancel lots of trips! However, to stay sane, relax, and recharge we are taking a walk every single day, no matter what. We also have increased our exercise regimens and continue to lift heavy weights outside while the weather is still nice. This keeps us in good shape while taking in nature, leaving us both physically and mentally healthy!

– Colin Champ, M.D., colinchamp.com, IG: @colinchampMD

Our Europe trip was canceled. To soften the blow of losing our anniversary plans, we decided to rent a cabin about an hour away for a long weekend getaway. We thought a cabin would be great for social distancing, easy to clean/manage, and disconnect from social media for a while. We took our bikes, hiked a bit, and just relaxed with no distractions. I am ready to go back already! If you can’t swing staying somewhere, I recommend doing a stay-cation at home such as a “spa night” to put on face masks, wear your PJs, and relax!

– Linzy Farmerie-Mogielski, linzyfarmerie.com, IG: @bonjourlinzy

Although there are not as many options for travel or gatherings, I have been recharging by creating yoga retreats and mindfulness practices at home. The beauty of everything going online means more access to teachers and classes from around the world. Staying home also means being able to reconnect with the simple parts of everyday life such as slow mornings and restful weekends.  

– April Snow, LMFT, expansiveheart.com, IG: @expansiveheart

After 6 months of staying indoors, seeing clients virtually, working-out inside and attending to my friendships and relationships over facetime, I realized I was in major need of adventure. Pre-Covid, that would look like travel, but keeping restrictions in mind, my husband and I took a day trip a few hours out of Los Angeles. The music, the conversation, the sites along the way, not only became a silver lining but more importantly, a reminder of how full life is when we are present and not focused solely on where we’re headed.

– Jessie Douglass-Smith McGraw, Transformative Coach, whatmovesyouLA.com, @whatmovesyoujessie

COVID cancelled my plans for an in-person graduation, which left me with lingering disappointment. I’ve been able to process these feelings by finding purpose and enjoyment in day-to-day activities, such as taking hikes with my dad, organizing zoom calls with friends, playing with my dog, listening to music, and being creative with makeup (even with no where to go!). It has been helpful to prioritize caring for myself and making sure I am taking the time to rejuvenate in more ways than one: physically, mentally, and socially!

– Brianna Matamoros, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

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Some other self-care ideas to treat yourself or your family include:

• Plan a getaway an hour or two from where you live. You never know what new places you could discover!
• Send yourself or a loved one a BroglieBox 😉
• Practice your creativity by painting, drawing or story writing
• Journal
• Walking or hiking in nature
• Hug someone you love

What are some activities you like to do to relax and recharge? Share in the comments! 

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Coronavirus attacking your Mental Health? Check out the below BroglieBox articles:
10 High Schoolers Share Their Favorite Self-Care Activities
Can we talk about something else? 100 Things to talk about that aren’t about the Coronavirus.
4 Ways To Stay Resilient No Matter What Happens
Benefits of Virtual Therapy (And Where To Find It)