In times of stress, self-care is powerful. In times of crisis, it is critical.
As the world keeps evolving before our eyes, the need for self-care is now. Some of you may not be able to visit your massage therapist just yet, so we’ve devoted this issue of Body Sense to self-care tools and practices you can use as you navigate the road ahead.
If you’ve been working from home during the COVID-19 stay-at-home response, you’ve likely managed to get through the first few months of “home-officing” OK, but the extended time working in less-than-optimal ergonomic situations may have left you with some bad habits and painful results. As author Cindy Williams reminds us in “3 Ways to Triumph Over the Work-From-Home Slump,” no matter how good it looks, the sofa is not a great work station. To combat those bad habits and ergonomic woes, Williams offers her expert advice on specific stretches and mindful self-care you can put into practice today.
In this issue, we also offer perspective on the importance of forgiveness—for yourself and others—and giving yourself permission to be less-than-perfect when the world turns upside down. We round it out with a quick look at how your next massage or bodywork appointment might change as a result of COVID-19, and the things you should know before you go.
Even if you can’t schedule that massage appointment just yet, remember that now is not the time for self-care to take a back seat. Staying diligent, strong, and committed to your self-care routines can help as you navigate the road ahead.