Self-Care Is Essential
To say that we are living in unprecedented times is an understatement. As we find a new "normal," incorporating self-care into our daily routines has proven to be more important than ever before. It can bring joy to our days while we practice social distancing. It can be a balm for caregivers. It can be a source of strength for essential workers, and it is deeply necessary for those fighting on the front lines of this pandemic.
Medical professionals and shift workers in essential businesses have been working around the clock to provide crucial services during the COVID-19 pandemic — many at the detriment of their own mental and physical health. The jobs they're performing are often tiring and downright frightening, and we here at Allure want to extend our deep gratitude to those working hard to keep us safe. We also want to highlight some of their stories and offer some helpful resources.
It's important to consistently carve out time for oneself, especially during periods of stress. There's no one definition of self-care. It can mean eating foods that make your body feel good, putting on your favorite body oil after a warm bath, or engaging in a daily meditation practice. It can be talking to your therapist, wearing brightly colored makeup to lift your spirits, staying connected with friends and family, and more. But whatever it means to you, a good self-care routine bolsters your ability to support other people, rather than take away from it.
It's undeniable: COVID-19 will have an effect on our lives for years to come, and it will touch some lives more than others. In "Self-Care Is Essential," we're sharing the voices of essential workers and offering resources so that they — and anyone, in any field — can practice self-care each and every day.
51 Faces of America
All over the United States, health care professionals have worked around the clock to treat and protect their patients, often making great personal sacrifices to do so. Fifty-one women in hospitals, doctors' offices, and clinics across America graciously shared their selfies — and their stories — with us: 51 images of strength, courage, and compassion.
How Wearing PPE Impacts the Skin of Health Care Workers on the Front Lines
Selfies shared by health care workers (like the ones in our 51 Faces of America project, seen above) have flooded the internet, showing just how painful proper PPE can be.
How to Care for Your Skin If You Wear PPE at Work, According to Dermatologists
When medical professionals finally remove their masks, many of them are seeing breakouts, rashes, and skin irritation. Here's how to treat (and prevent) said side effects, according to dermatologists.
How Essential Health Care Workers Use Beauty as a Form of Self-Care
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of medical professionals have been upended. As they fight on the front lines, many of them are using their beauty routines as self-care. Read all about how 24 of them have changed their regimens here.
The Incredible Joy of Watching a Patient Recover From COVID-19
Board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield tells Allure, in her own words, why she was inspired to volunteer on the front lines of COVID-19 and how New York City hospitals are coping.
Why Health Care Workers Are Turning to Nail-Art Stickers and Wraps During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Many hospitals have required doctors and nurses to stop wearing fake nails and gel polishes due to their likelihood to lift and harbor bacteria. As a solution, health care workers on the front lines are turning to nail wraps and stickers to stay manicured in their fast-paced roles. Here, a few of our favorite brands.
What Working on the Front Lines of COVID-19 Does to Your Skin
Working on the front lines fighting COVID-19 can affect a person's mental health, physical health, and their skin. Here's more about the effects of PPE on medical workers.
How to Make a Face Mask With a Bandana and Hair Ties
The CDC has suggested we all wear cloth face coverings whenever we're in public, so it's important to know how to make your own. Here's our simple-to-follow DIY tutorial.
How to Safely Reuse and Dispose of Every Kind of Face Mask
Every type of mask and cloth face covering is different, so there are different methods of reusing, disposing, and cleaning surgical masks, N95s, and cloth face coverings.
Originally Appeared on Allure
