Throughout much of our lives, we usually get our energy from different activities that we do. While many extroverts gain energy from interacting with people, some introverts gain their “social” energy from being alone. But in reality, the concept of being an extrovert and introvert is more of a spectrum rather than just two identities.
In the past year, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has made a variety of changes to how we interact with people. Many safety precautions and restrictions have made it harder for most individuals to meet their friends and family members. This is known for being a bit more emotionally taxing for extroverts that thrive and gain energy from being around others.
What about introverts? Well, even though many introverts gain energy from doing activities alone and honing their skills while in peace, they too need social interaction since it’s one of our basic needs as humans.
That said, introverts must perform self-care, especially during uncertain times. However, self-care during these times can be a bit iffy when options and movement have been restricted from the public health crisis caused by the pandemic. Fortunately, there are many activities that you can do at home that can help with practicing self-care. Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Minding Your Privacy and Investing In Your Home
First and foremost, one of the most important ways of practicing self-care is by investing in your own room. One of the best ways of getting a sense of satisfaction is by treating yourself out and making your room look good for yourself.
Let’s face it: you’re probably going to stay home for quite some time. If you’re also an introvert, there’s a good chance that you’re also working from home due to changes in how most businesses are operating. Many introverts often thrive by working by themselves. If you’re going to invest in your room and any other aspect of your home, you might want to consider getting an extra amount of privacy, especially when it comes to your bedroom and the bathroom.
Still, it’s important to keep in mind that being alone most of the time can be unhealthy. You’ll want to keep in touch with people but still setting your boundaries. Another important part of investing in your home should be prioritizing your comfort and convenience. Fortunately, you can get a high-quality glass for windows, your bathroom’s shower, and even sliding doors. Not only will this add to even better comfortability for your home, but this can also help protect your home from different elements of nature while adding a bit of security.
Using Creative Outlets
Another important part of self-care as an introvert is finding creative outlets. This can be in the form of hobbies, singing, and producing artworks. Contrary to what most people think, many introverts enjoy many “energetic” activities. Much of the output doesn’t necessarily need to be a masterpiece, and you shouldn’t necessarily be pressured in creating it (unless it’s part of work that you have to do.)
If the task you have to do is related to your work, you might want to consider switching towards a more personal project since this can help with managing stress. Creating new projects and works of art are great ways of vent out stress while also reflecting on your inner thoughts and emotions. Although you might just be confined within your home, you can let your imagination run free, which can help you find more perspectives in life.
Start Putting Down Your Phone
It goes without saying that almost everyone is on social media, and it’s one of the primary ways people communicate in the past few years. Although many people need to keep in touch through social media, it’s also known for being a double-edged sword. Although it might be a fun and convenient way of disseminating information, it’s known that it can have a drastic effect on the mental health of most individuals.
In fact, a new study has shown that social media has a negative effect on the mental health of adolescents and adults. If this is the case, the best thing that you can do in this situation is to go on a social media detox. If you can’t really go on a detox, you can start unfollowing toxic individuals that might influence your personal life.
As you can see, there are a variety of things that you’ll need to consider when it comes to self-care. Although many individuals think that being an introvert during the pandemic might seem like a dream, it can be mentally taxing, especially when there are many aspects of our restricted lives. But that shouldn’t stop you from making key lifestyle changes to your home that fit your needs and wants. When you’re just staying at home most of the time, self-care means investing in your own convenience and comfort.
