The term “self-care” has been a buzz word in the beauty, lifestyle, and wellness industries for quite some time. It may have seemed frivolous or indulgent in the past, but during these times of stress and crisis, self-care is needed now more than ever. Self-care does not have to be elaborate or expensive; it can simply be taking a few moments each day to give some love to yourself, inside or out. Here are just a few ways to work in some self-care during these days of global pandemic.

First up, mental self-care. This encompasses everything from coping mechanisms to stress relief. Set yourself up for success by taking a few minutes in the morning for prayer, meditation, intention-setting, or a daily mantra. I do a mix of the first three, but not all at once. It may be a 3-minute breathing meditation while I’m lying in bed before the alarm. A quick prayer for patience as I get the kids’ breakfast, then a check-in with what I want to accomplish as I sit at my laptop. Of course, you’re not alone with mental self-care. There are free apps like Calm that provide guided mediation sessions ranging in time from 3 to 25 minutes, with topics from calming anxiety to gratitude to mindfulness. Prayer Mate is a customizable free app that allows you to pick people and causes important to you. Each day it will select, or let you choose, a person or topic you care about, or need direction on, and provide you with guided prayer. So, when you say to someone, “I’ll pray for you,” this app will help you follow up on that promise.

There is also self-care through exercise. With good weather, going for a walk or run helps relieve stress and gives you some alone time. If you’re less than motivated, check out Map My Run, a subscription app that tracks your runs and allows you to view weekly progress. You can also participate in challenges with other runners and explore preloaded routines. There are also free yoga videos online, or sign-up for a virtual trainer if you’re into more high-gear exercise. If you’re currently a member of a gym that is not open, contact them. See if a trainer can email you a workout routine or do a virtual training session.

When you think of self-care, many tend to envision a day at the spa. And, while we all could benefit from a massage, the best we can do right now is pampering ourselves with skincare as self-care. At-home facials, or just soaking in the tub, can renew your epidermis as well as your spirits. If you find your current beauty routine in a slump or non-existent, consider subscribing to a beauty box like FitFabFun or Birchbox to receive new beauty and body products to enhance your day-at-the-home spa. Just Google “at-home facial” for a full rundown of beauty treatments, maybe even consider making your own cleansers and lotions from pantry staples, like oatmeal and honey.

If all this talk of mindfulness, exercise, and cooking up exfoliate has you feeling unmotivated, then you may be in need of some TV and treats self-care. With OnDemand, Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, and AppleTV, you can easily fall down the rabbit hole of digital content. But don’t look at that as a bad thing; use this time to explore entertainment you normally wouldn’t. I have discovered this Japanese mini-series “Atelier” about a young woman trying to make it in the haute-couture lingerie industry, and I am enthralled! Add some wine and goldfish crackers, and it sounds like some low-maintenance self-care to me. So, go ahead and indulge those cravings for snacks and sensational shows.

Time with loved ones is also a form of self-care. Reminding yourself that you have a support system out there can be extremely heartening in times of frustration and even sorrow. So, go ahead and send an email, text, DM, or even actually call a friend. Have a chat and feel free to complain about your spouse, kids, dog, job, the state of your hair, and listen to their woes with humor and compassion. For family and friends not as technology savvy, try sending a handwritten note or letter. When was the last time you received such mail? Maybe now is the perfect time to create an epistolary relationship with an elderly relative or long-neglected friend.

Self-care can be whatever you want it to be. It’s a self-directed tool, practice, activity, that can be a mixture of health promotion, enjoyment, or stress relief. It’s about finding the method(s) that works best for you. Whatever you find yourself doing or committing to for self-care, don’t beat yourself up if there are some days when you skip. This doesn’t have to be a daily to-do, but more so a regular check-in with how you are feeling.