Self-care guide for getting through quarantine

In these times of crisis where the coronavirus or COVID-19 is transforming our lives, it is of vital importance that we maintain a positive mindset and establish routines at home to keep our minds and bodies healthy. We can overcome isolation and experience this pause as an opportunity to do all those things you always want to do but never have the time for. A hot bath with some candles and jazz in the background, a good long reading session, a body and facial peel, painting, learning to meditate... Practice SELF-CARE: Now more than ever, don't forget about yourself, to pamper yourself, to connect with yourself.

From Herbera, we want to give you some tips to stay calm these days and emerge from the crisis stronger.

Establish a daytime activity routine.

Even though our usual routine has come to a screeching halt, it is vital for our motivation and for managing stress that we organize our day by following activity guidelines. Try to get up at the same time every day, and before you pick up your phone, look out the window!! Let your eyes see natural light before the light of your mobile, your eyes will thank you. Keep your mind occupied with productive things during the day; many of us are teleworking and can continue with our projects. If you cannot continue working and are at home, set a goal for each day. Being busy helps us not to generate more nerves and to decrease our tension and stress.

Eat healthy and stay hydrated.

Take advantage of these days to reconnect with the kitchen; awaken your creativity there as well. That recipe you've been wanting to try for a long time, that other one that takes a long time to make and you haven't repeated in years, this is the time! Increase your intake of vegetables; they will provide us with vitality, lightness, and physical and emotional well-being. Eliminate saturated fats and refined cereals and carbohydrates, the main causes of inflammation. Turmeric, cocoa, avocado, olive oil, beets, and red fruits are some of the vegetables rich in antioxidants that will help us lower our stress levels. Drink plenty of water and if you want to incorporate any phytotherapy supplement to boost your defenses, bet on vitamin C, selenium, and zinc. Oh! And probiotics! They will help you maintain your intestinal balance.

Keep your energy and physical level in shape.

Doing exercise helps us channel our energy and release stress. We will feel better as a result, since we will avoid the pain generated by accumulating tension and we stimulate the production of endorphins. There are many YouTube accounts for doing fitness at home, yoga, or training series. Get moving and don't stop training at home; let this confinement not become "15 days, 15 kilos." Virtual fitness classes are also being created among groups of friends via Skype—a 2-in-1 of gymnastics and laughter therapy. To finish, treat yourself to a myofascial massage; I don't know about you, but my lateral fascia gets very tight, and there is nothing better than a self-massage with foam rollers to release the tension.

Connect with yourself, dedicate time to yourself.

We know that nothing lasts forever, and therefore, this too shall pass; so let us take advantage of this productivity break to reconnect with our most primitive selves, with our essence. Let yourself be carried away by a good book, by music, get lost in what makes you dream, rediscover the immaterial things that make you happy and that are not outside, but inside you. We all think more about our loved ones these days and spend more hours on the phone with them, sharing time, stealing laughs from each other... Perhaps now is the time to rethink what is truly important to each of us, and the more we strive to see what this new crisis wants to teach us, the stronger we will emerge from it.

Practice relaxation and meditation techniques.

Being worried does not help us overcome this pandemic. The collective psychosis that has been generated keeps us in a constant state of alert, increasing cortisol in the blood and weakening our defense system. There are many relaxation and meditation techniques. If you don't know how to start, there are many mobile apps that can help you by guiding you through your first steps.

Sleep well and get enough rest.

It is essential to feel in shape every day. For this, we recommend that you do not anchor yourself to the television until it is time to go to bed; disconnect from the news at night, cleanse your body of so much fear. Incorporate a beauty routine before going to sleep. A hot bath, taking some time to clean your face well, and applying your night creams will not only benefit your skin but will also convey sensations of relaxation and comfort.

This global crisis is truly connecting people, and we will emerge from it TOGETHER.