Many of us have spent a lot more time alone recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without others to distract us and help keep our minds as busy, many folks are noticing that they don’t have a good relationship with themselves. For many, not having a good relationship with themselves can make it difficult to spend as much time alone as many of us have been lately. Having a good relationship with yourself has many benefits, including having a more fulfilling life, and being able to achieve your goals. Here are some ways you can work on your relationship with yourself while you have the time!
Be self-aware
Becoming self-aware, and realizing what you need is an important first step in having a better relationship with yourself. Many of us are so stressed and overwhelmed right now that we aren’t taking care of our bodies. We aren’t thinking about resting or taking breaks, we’re just thinking about the day to day things we have to do to stay afloat. We need to take a step back, and realize who we are and what our bodies and minds need from us right now! There are many different ways to do this, such as journaling, writing down your goals, practicing mindfulness or meditation, taking and understanding personality tests (such as this one from Safe Harbor International Ministries), or utilizing counseling services. Talkspace is a great way to utilize counseling services online, which is a great idea right now to help slow the spread of COVID-19. If you’re not sure if you need counseling services, this may help you determine if counseling is right for you.
Make time for yourself
Making time for yourself helps you understand that you are a priority in your own life! Every day, do something just for you. If you have an hour, maybe take a walk! If you have 10 minutes, you could watch a little inspirational clip on YouTube, such as this one. Read books and listen to podcasts that speak to you! If you feel like you still need more time, look here for ideas about how to make more time for yourself. If it’s time management you’re struggling with, this is an excellent source!
Make time for things you enjoy
Between jobs, school, and other obligations, many of us find it hard to carve out larger chunks of time for things we enjoy, especially now with the pandemic. It’s important when scheduling out your week, that you plan to have some downtime every once in a while. Scheduling downtime for yourself, or a day on the weekend to spend time with your family or roommates can be extremely beneficial. Your brain and your body need breaks every once in a while, and giving yourself that break to do something you love can help you have a better relationship with yourself!
Practice self-care
Practicing self-care during a pandemic is hard, but extremely necessary. Our world needs kindness more than ever, and being kind to yourself is no exception. After all, if you feel as though you are running on empty and you need a break, how can you expect to help others, or do what you need to do daily? Here are some tips for practicing self-care during a pandemic, as well as caring for others.
Get in touch with your spiritual side
Getting in touch with your spiritual side is a great way to understand yourself and the world around you better. This can help you have a better relationship with yourself. Utilizing devotionals, praying, listening to podcasts, and reading the Bible are great ways to do this! Zoom bible studies are becoming popular, too, as well as attending outdoor or online services. These are great ways to slow the spread of the virus while still connecting with God and others around you. Using your faith as a way to stay strong and positive with everything going on in our world is one of the best things you can do for yourself!
Practice self-acceptance
Self-acceptance is all about living your life for yourself, and not for others such as your parents, S.O., or your followers on social media. This can help you learn to love yourself. When you do what you want, and truly see yourself for who you are, you let go of feeling like you’re trying to be someone else. For a list of ideas about practicing self-acceptance, this is a great source!
Be grateful for your body
It’s very easy for us to feel bad about ourselves if we don’t feel confident in the way our body looks. 79% of the American population feels unhappy with the way their bodies look. Right now, you may be struggling to find the time to work out, or may not have the funds to eat the healthy meals you want to. Just keep in mind that there are many things that your body can do. You should be grateful for those things, and love your body in that way, even if you’re working on loving your body for the way it looks. Can your body play sports, or dance, or play an instrument? Can it take you to places you love or hug your favorite people? These things are just as important, if not more important, than the way your body looks! Keeping these things in mind will help you have a better relationship with yourself.
Conclusion
Remember, the only relationship you’re guaranteed to have your whole life is the one you have with yourself. This means that it’s extremely important to have a good relationship with yourself! What can you do today with the time and energy you have, for yourself? Remember that this situation will not last forever, so have some hope for a better future!
Other Photos by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash
Written by Jackie Ebel, a blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, check out our blog page: https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
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