Over 300 days. 300 days since a vacation. 300 days since a normal school week. 300 days since many of us have gone to a party, a restaurant, a movie theater, an airport, a mall—the list goes on and on. Just step back for a second and think to yourself. 

      Months ago, your entire life had been turned upside down and backward. So much uncertainty had been thrown into your face and you simply went along with it. You took social distancing precautions, you got through what you thought would be a “short two-week break”, you ended up having to become adjusted to an entirely new school life, and you learned to get through lonely times. In short, you survived through a not-so-easy, to put it simply, year. 

     So, it is OKAY to not be okay right now. Though the number of us who are still following COVID precautions is getting smaller and smaller, we are still in this together. It is hard, incredibly hard, to watch Snapchat stories of your friends hanging out, to be invited to events that you have to turn down, and to see your peers throwing parties as if life is completely normal. But, just know that your actions are making a difference. Now, with this being said, it is equally important to prioritize your own mental health as it is the health of those around you.

      Here are some habits and ideas you should consider integrating into your routine to gift yourself some well-deserved self-care:

PLAN OUT YOUR DAYS AND WEEKS

      A common struggle for many people in these uncertain circumstances is a loss of motivation. It seems as if there is nothing to look forward to and it is an understatement to say that we are all constantly on edge. To help yourself stay on track and get things done, grab a notebook or planner and list out a few tasks you want to accomplish in a certain amount of time, whether it be a day, week, or month. They do not by any means have to be unrealistically detailed, just jot down a few things you need to get done. Now, work to try and finish these small goals to help yourself maintain a schedule and keep yourself energized and motivated.  I promise that the satisfaction of looking back and seeing your productivity at the end of the week or month will be worth it, but do not worry if you do not complete them all. This is meant to be inspiring and should not stress you out.

STAY HEALTHY AND ACTIVE

     Whether your sports have been canceled, your gym is closed, or you just cannot seem to get yourself out of bed, it is still so important to try and stay active and healthy. This means drinking enough water, getting fresh air every day, eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting an adequate amount of sleep (no more 4 a.m nights that some of us are all too familiar with). For remote learners especially, we are stuck in our houses pretty much the entire day. So, it is extremely beneficial to block out a time in your day to dedicate especially to staying active and getting movement. That could be going on a walk, doing yoga in your room, lifting weights in your basement, or really anything else you can think of. 

GIVE YOURSELF BREAKS

      It is easy to be extremely hard on yourself when it seems that everyone else has their life together and knows what they are doing. But, the reality is that this pandemic has affected everyone in one way or another. No matter how productive someone may seem, they could be dealing with this situation in so many other ways you may not know of. So while you should hold yourself accountable to a certain extent, do not be discouraged if you feel unmotivated, if you cannot pay attention in school, or if you just feel like binge-watching TV shows all day. If you take all these feelings and bottle them up, it will end up hurting you more in the long run. Take breaks and be kind to yourself. 

TUNE OUT

      Going on your phone every morning and seeing a flood of COVID-19 news stories, political debates, and Google Classroom emails reminding you of assignments is not the most relaxing thing to wake up to. We all need a break. Try and consider starting your mornings slowly by not using your phone or social media within the first half-hour, at the least, of waking up. Allow yourself to just live in the moment for a little while and not worry about what craziness the rest of the world is up to. While some people may be content with their 16 hour screen times, going on your electronics less will alleviate so many stresses in the long run. 

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS

      Make the best of this unfortunate loneliness we all have to deal with by taking the time to learn more about ourselves. Find your true interests, make realistic goals, try out new hobbies, and do what works best for you. Everyone is different. Spend your days in ways that are more worthwhile to you. Try to take this time to become closer with your family and friends at the same time. Check-in on your loved ones and make your relationships even stronger though you may be physically farther apart.