This is hard, this quarantine during COVID-19. So many of us are struggling to make it through yet another day at home, struggling to maintain some semblance of normal or perhaps are trying to create a new normal. So many of us are struggling just to keep it together. In a time when the days seem to be blending together, when we might not even know what day it is anymore, it can be difficult to take time to take care of yourself.

As we end yet another week of social distancing, I see so many people posting on social media about eating and drinking more, abandoning any kind of sleep hygiene and neglecting to take care of their bodies and that leaves me concerned. While I understand how difficult it can be to take care of yourself when you also are trying to work from home, manage kids’ remote learning and put food on the table, it is important to remember that it still is important to take care of yourself.

Some people may be wondering what point there is in taking care of yourself during all of this? What does it really matter if I eat healthy and exercise, maintain good sleep/wake schedules and practice good hygiene when the world has turned upside down? Why should I bother to put on pants when I am not leaving the house? Those are valid issues. But, it also is important to remember that if you fail to take care of you, it will be more difficult to take care of your loved ones.

I urge you to continue to prepare healthy meals, stay hydrated, exercise when you can and get good sleep. I know this may be especially difficult during these challenging times. Still, I am reminded of something I read: If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?

Now is not the time to indulge more in unhealthy food and alcohol and drugs. Doing so not only will ultimately make you feel worse in the long run, but drinking or using drugs more often easily could put you at risk for developing a substance abuse problem. I understand the desire to make yourself feel better about the pandemic, but using alcohol or other drugs more likely could cause all kinds of trouble.

I know it seems as though we have been in quarantine for what seems like forever already and it may seem as though this may never end. My hope is that it will and that if we continue to take good care of ourselves. we all will come out of this with our health. If we practice good habits now, it will be easier to stay on track once things return to normal. The more we go off the rails, the harder it will be to get ourselves back on track. So, take care of you the best you can during these challenging times.