‘Queer Eye’ Star’s Top Tips for Battling the Pandemic Blues

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Does the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have you feeling down? With the holidays looking a lot different this year many people are feeling just plain blah, but therapist and Queer Eye star, Karamo Brown has four tips to help banish the pandemic blues.
Brown sat down with Insider to talk about the feelings of isolation, depression and anxiousness people are feeling right now and what steps we can take to combat those feelings, offering these easy-to-do tips:

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Schedule Time for Self-Care
“A lot of times, people find themselves going through their day and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t take any time for me. I didn’t take a self-care moment. I didn’t check in with myself mentally or emotionally,” Brown told Insider.
Instead, Brown says to make a point of setting reminders on your phone to take time to check in with yourself by doing some deep breathing exercises or taking a 15-minute walk.
Reconnect With Loved Ones
While you may not be able to reconnect face to face with loved ones right now, Brown suggests using Zoom or even writing a letter to someone you love.
“I haven’t written letters in forever, and it’s been so cool. And then to get a letter back in the mail has been so awesome,” Brown shared with Insider. “I think we forget about these little things that we used to do back in the day. Re-engage with that, and have this excitement of getting something in the mail.”
Help Others
The simple act of helping others can be a mood booster, with Brown telling Insider, “I think one of the things that we don’t realize is that when we give to others, it does something chemically to our bodies where we feel better.”
Yes! You’re Allowed to be Unproductive
Brown told Insider that “learning to enjoy doing nothing is as important as being productive.”
While the pandemic has given us the time to pursue new hobbies or tackle home improvement projects, Brown says it’s also important to allow ourselves the grace to be unproductive, whether it’s reading a book, taking a hot shower, or dancing around the living room to Beyoncé!