Many see self-care a ‘silver lining’ amid pandemic

BELGRADE — The pandemic has brought about conscious focus on healthcare, self-care and mental wellness, according to specialists.

“The pandemic has fuelled the rise of innovation, mindfulness and digital health trends,” said Batoul Wasfi, a Jordanian fitness trainer.

She said that emotional resilience skills are crucial to adjusting to change. 

“People started focusing more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through fitness, a balanced diet and regular self-care,” Wasfi added.

Amani Omar, a Jordanian nutritionist, said she has noticed more diet-conscious individuals in the Kingdom. 

“A lot of things have changed recently, and people’s attitudes towards their health and well-being are better now,” she told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Jordanian aromatherapiest Mervat Maghribi told The Jordan Times that the pandemic has “a silver lining”: People now pay closer attention to their well-being.

“A significant number of Jordanian women turned to massage therapies since the pandemic first started,” Maghribi said, noting that her customers now focus on what makes them feel nourished and relaxed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines self-care as the behaviours people do to take care of their own health and can include hygiene, nutrition, leisure activities, sports, exercise, in addition to seeking professional healthcare services when needed.

Supporting self-care interventions has the potential to create health sector innovations, in addition to maximising the efficient use of domestic resources for health, according to WHO.