Hype
Six months into quarantine, you may feel like you’ve seen and tried every self-care trend in the book. With so much time for yourself, it makes sense to try to find ways to cope with the current circumstances and feelings of isolation. If you’re looking for something new to better your physical or mental health, these tried-and-true self-care suggestions might put your cabin fever at bay.
Homemade matcha lattes
Daniela Lorenzo
Matcha lattes have become somewhat of a staple in coffee shops over the last few years and I completely understand why. This finely ground powder of green tea leaves is high in antioxidants and has numerous health benefits, like boosting brain function and lowering the risk of heart disease. During quarantine, I found culinary grade matcha powder online and learned to make my own iced matcha lattes with almond milk. The recipe is fairly simple: All you need is to mix or froth milk, matcha powder, and vanilla syrup! It’s surprisingly easy to make and provides me with a caffeine boost to kick off my day.
Aromatherapy spray
Ann Domingo
Aromatherapy sprays are a great relaxation remedy for people who experience a lot of stress and soreness in their bodies. As someone who’s prone to shoulder tension, I typically apply the spray directly onto my shoulders to alleviate the pressure and soothe the areas. I personally use the Citrus & Elemi Aromatherapy Spray from Natural Balance because I also love the scent! If you want to look into other scents, local brand Lemongrass House has a few—as well as Bath and Body Philippines!
Upcycling clothes
Daniela Lorenzo
After cleaning out my closet, I discovered a more budget-friendly yet environmentally conscious way to revamp my style: Repurposing what I had instead of buying a whole new wardrobe. I learned to use a sewing machine to upcycle my clothes, taking inspiration from thrifting and fashion channels such as Rachspeed and Bestdressed. This hobby of mine gave me the chance to exercise my creative mind while working with my hands. It quickly became my favorite productive self-care activity in quarantine.
Starting and finishing a book
Caitlin Anne Young
Once an avid reader, I’ve found trouble focusing on a single novel this quarantine. As time ceased having meaning during the quarantine, I would opt to wile away the days by reading. To reinvigorate my love for books, I’m slowly bringing myself to finish a book every week! Adding reading to my list of daily activities creates some semblance of routine. I’m currently reading Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sumin.
Journaling
Jana Codera
Being holed up at home since March meant I had a lot of free time. Without the distraction of schoolwork, I get overwhelmed with the sudden influx of apprehensions, ideas, and emotions. To remedy this, I’ve started journaling. Sometimes, writing also helps process a range of good and bad emotions, though getting to a conclusion or a solution doesn’t have to be the goal. I usually just write down whatever’s on my mind—in phrases, or run-on sentences—with the simple aim of writing thoughts out of your head and onto the paper.
Exposé