30+ Self-Care Ideas for Parents During The COVID-19 Pandemic

I don’t know about you, but the panic with COVID-19 has me torn. On one side, I feel anxious and concern due to the unknown. I thrive with plans, routine, and being around people. Social isolation is basically the most depressing thing ever for an extrovert like myself.

Yet the silver lining is maybe this is exactly what we need as a society: To be forced to slow down, spend time with family, and think of others that need our herd protection.

With a pandemic tearing through the country, there is no time to waste neglecting our own health. We need to ask ourselves daily: Am I sleeping OK? Drinking water? Actually eating meals? It’s easy to focus on the news, your children, and others, but please do not forget to take care of yourself as well in the weeks ahead!

I’ve partnered with my friend Tara Michener, who is a counselor, author, speaker, mom, and all-around wonderful person. I’m here to help keep you busy, and she’s here to share mental health tidbits, which will be key in the weeks ahead. Check out her podcast Mental Health Moments With Tara, which is posted daily. Each episode is just 5 minutes, and her tips are amazing!

I’ve got the kids covered with my list of 100 Screen Free Ideas For Kids To Fight Boredom, and will be sure to post ideas daily, but what about the adults who will be stuck inside too? What can we do that will make you feel at ease, and perhaps even productive?

Here are some self-care ideas to busy your mind and bodies in the weeks ahead:

30+ Self-Care Ideas for Parents During COVID-19 Pandemic

Productive Ideas

• Get a head start on spring cleaning — wash baseboards, clean cupboards, wash screens, etc.
• Move furniture/art/knick knacks around to give your house a new look.
• Clean out those drawers, take stock of what you have for spring/summer.
• Declutter and purge! Think not just of toys and clothes, but even the bathroom by tossing old medications and old makeup.
• Clean the garage and vacuum out vehicles.
• Do a workout video from YouTube. There are TONS to pick from, and many are kid-friendly too!
• Shop online for things you may need soon, and try to focus on smaller businesses when possible. They are going to take a huge hit in the next several weeks.
• Edit/unfollow who you follow on social media…If they bring you down, it’s time to go 😉
• Use social media for GOOD. Reach out to 5 people that inspire you and tell them so!
• Call or FaceTime a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a long time.

Relaxing Ideas

• Have an at-home spa day. Use a face mask, or put on nail polish.
• Take a bath. Water is an instant calm.
• READ. If you aren’t able to go to your library, rent a book from Hoopla with your library card or exchange books with neighbors.
• Bake. {I love using the ingredient search feature on AllRecipes.com to see what we can create with what we have}.
• Play with pets — animals can be so therapeutic.
• Listen to an inspiring podcast {I do this while I fold laundry}.
• Try a new game — video game or a game on your phone just for fun.
• Allow yourself to binge watch a show or have a movie day.
• Take a nap.
• Enjoy a distraction-free family movie night.
• Meditate or pray purposefully.
• Watch the sunrise or sunset.
• Cuddle {read about how touch is a powerful tool I use here}.

Creative Ideas

• Draw, color, knit, sew, etc. When is the last time you got artistic?
• Create a collage or a vision board if you have old magazines laying around.
• Use playing cards to create a game {we do workouts this way}. Each card can represent something fun and different to do!
• Go for a nature walk and identify plants with the iNaturalist app.
• Head out for a drive and go through fancy neighborhoods and find the one you’d like to live in.
• Start a gratitude journal and list 10 things you are thankful for daily.
• Use a service like Spotify or Pandora to discover new music and make a new playlist with your favorites.
• Write a letter and send it in the mail.
• Plan an indoor picnic for something fun and different.
• Take an Ennegram test and then research your number for some self-reflection.

Remember to be kind and gentle with yourselves in the weeks ahead. These are some uncertain times, so let’s try to make the best of it, OK?

Make sure to take a mental health moment with Tara too and reach out if you need ideas or help!

Thinking of you all and sending so much love and light your way!