This post is sponsored by South Eastern Plastic Surgery
Self-Care in a Post-Pandemic World: Is There a ‘New Normal’?
Virtually every aspect of our lives has been touched by the pandemic. From Zoom meetings to livestreamed entertainment and wearing masks to the grocery store, we’ve had to adapt in ways that were unthinkable a little more than a year ago.
And as more and more people get vaccinated and we gradually emerge from the pandemic, the question is what part of our lives—if any—will return to what we were used to before COVID-19? Consider that a rhetorical question. I’m not sure anyone has a crystal ball.
This type of uncertainty can create anxiety, and it’s important to practice self-care in all aspects of your life, including health and beauty. That may include resuming regular exercise, planning a trip to the salon or med spa, or using some of the money you saved by not going out to restaurants on a stylish new outfit.
Just as we had to make adjustments that challenged our livelihoods and mental health last spring, we’re now entering a period that poses some similar challenges but in reverse. After learning to accept restrictions on what we could do, it’s going to take some time to become comfortable living out in the wild.
There are signs that this is already happening.
Personal trainers say they’re seeing a surge of new clients who want to shed the weight gained while quarantined so they can look their best by the time the world fully reopens. With COVID cases ballooning during December and January, gyms didn’t see the “new year, new you” increase in customers, but that’s changing this spring.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a worthy goal, but it’s also important not to feel pressure to make quick physical transformations. Taking it slow and setting reasonable goals avoids the burnout that leads many people to abandon their exercise routines.
You can also expect changes when you venture back to your favorite salon, med spa, or cosmetics store. Safety protocols adopted in the last year likely will become standard for the foreseeable future, meaning enhanced sanitation measures, social distancing that minimizes the number of people in the spa or salon at the same time, and virtual consultations. With this possibility in mind, it’s always a good idea to check the policy before you go so you’re prepared.
Let’s say you schedule an appointment for BOTOX® injections in Tallahassee at Southeastern Plastic Surgery. The practice says, “Cleanliness and keeping our patient and employee areas sanitized is a top priority. Rest assured that we will continue to practice mindful safety protocols such as hand hygiene before and after handling patient documents and office medical equipment, as well as before and after caring for patients, and after visits to the restroom.”
In many cases, salons and spas will continue checking visitors’ temperatures with touchless thermometers and require masks to be worn while in the practice.
For women who want to replenish their cosmetics, enhanced online shopping will likely replace sampling products at the beauty counter.
Self-Acceptance
A silver lining of the pandemic is many of us realizing we can be comfortable in our own skin. We’ve become accustomed to seeing ourselves in sweats without makeup or styled hair for weeks and months. Our perception of beauty may have shifted permanently, and we recognize that keeping our families safe can be accomplished even if we don’t look our best.
Approach self-love as an ongoing process, not an destination. Give yourself grace. Increase your self-compassion. Feel your feelings.
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