I've learned that while being stuck at home and kept away from the hustle and bustle of life, self-care doesn't stop just because the world does. Plus, we need it even more right now.

Self care is beautiful. Today, we are lucky to be living in a world where self care can be prioritized in most cases. It is unfortunate how health and wellbeing do not always come first for everyone. Recently, society is doing a great job at normalizing putting ourselves first. Let's keep this going.

When most people think of self-care, they imagine granting themselves a visit at the local spa, beauty parlor, or a generous shopping spree at the mall. Unfortunately, most of us will probably spend the following weeks stuck at home. But there is some good news. Engaging in self-care activities at home opens a world of possibilities.

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus, that started in Wuhan province in China in December 2019, grew to pandemic proportions by March 2020. More than 200 countries are impacted due to the virus. A large number of countries including, the US, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain are severely affected. As of April 30, 2020, more than 30 lakh people worldwide are infected and more than 2 lakh people across the world have succumbed to Covid-19. Most countries across the world are observing a lock-down situation and the global economy has come to a standstill.

1. Disconnect from the noise

Given the current happenings, many of us are being pushed to reflect, re-evaluate and change. This time indoors will be triggering coping mechanisms around our consumption of food, and how we have used food to numb, suppress or cover-up a deeper, more emotional and metaphysical need.

Spa: a place one is encouraged to visit in order to pamper and take care of one's self. A tranquil place of relaxation, luxury, wellness, and beauty. Or, as some in our town would like to call it.... "fancy!" Until 10 years ago, I don't think many people in our town of 7,000 would have ever thought such a "fancy" place could survive in our blue collar farming community. Yet, here we are: Altitude Spa is beloved by men and women of all ages in not just our community, but in our province, our country, and now, in a little part of Uganda.

This morning 24th March 2020, Britain has woken up on an almost lockdown state, people ordered to not to leave their homes unless it’s absolutely necessary and has finally given police powers to break up gatherings in beaches, parks and in towns. The frightening part is the unknown, no one has ever gone through this before and people are scared, not so much of the virus itself, but of the unknown road that comes with it. This is a road that hasn’t been taken before, there’s no mile’s stones or signs posts telling anyone which way to go. It’s going to take a wee bit of time to Adjust to a new way of life and it is going to be hard, but not only can we adjust to this and survive, we can thrive as well.

As fear mounts in the hearts of people due to the high frequency spread of 2019 coronavirus disease, people are increasingly asking questions related to the disease. Such questions include: what is the mortality rate of the coronavirus disease? Is there a vaccine or cure for the disease? Are there actions a person can undertake to avoid getting the disease? Can companion animals, pets or livestock infect humans with coronavirus disease 2019?

In times like these, those of us who struggle with anxiety are finding things even more difficult than usual.

The media hype surrounding the coronavirus is astounding, not to mention awfully demoralizing to watch. They do it for the ratings, the readers, as well as the information that could be put out. Yes, there could be a coronavirus vaccine soon but that is mostly reliant on other countries working together. If nothing else, it seems that a hot climate helps stomp the virus out. If more countries got together to share resources, and not blame China for every last little thing, then something good may come out of this coronavirus mess since working together is one way to come up with a vaccine faster.

Growing up I was always told by my dad to “lose weight” “eat more fruit” “be more like so and so”... I came to terms with the fact that I would never be good enough, whatever that meant. I was far from confident and most definitely ate food for comfort. I absolutely hated my image and pictures were a painful reminder for me every time. My brother who I had been living with throughout my childhood also had joined the team and constantly made fun of my weight. There clearly wasn’t anything more amusing than to make me miserable.