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The world is hunkering down at home (or very well should be) in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19—and our favorite dermatologists are no exception. While some are diligently trying to adhere to their normal routines as closely as possible, others are using this found time to implement new stress-relief and skin-care techniques.
Although our homes, our family situations, and the ways in which we take care of ourselves and loved ones differ greatly, one thing is certain: as our self-quarantines continue to wear on, our sanity can start to wear down. “Home isolation is fun for about one day, then it’s more exhausting than it should be,” says board-certified New York City dermatologist Dr. Ellen Marmur.
We caught up with a handful of dermatologists from across the country to find out how they’re practicing social distancing and self-care during this unprecedented time.
On keeping a routine
“I am trying to continue to do as much as I can to keep everything ‘normal’ and add in a few new practices to reduce stress,” says Dr. Nancy Samolitis, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
One of the best ways to retain some sense of normalcy or at least create a temporary new normal, according to this particular pool of dermatologists, is to stick to some sort of a routine. In fact, every single expert we spoke with cited this common tip: keep a routine. Why is sticking to a schedule, even if it’s modified from the norm, so important?
“When routines are upset, people become disoriented—and it makes challenges much harder to bear,” explains Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It’s important to keep to your normal routines as much as possible, such as the time you get up and get ready for the day [and] the times of your meals as well as your normal downtime.”
Having a routine makes us feel more personally in control, even when everything in the world around us is in chaos.
“To distance ourselves and give the kids a little more room,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner left New York City, pre-lockdown, with his wife and two young kids in tow—and quickly saw the downside of not adhering to a daily routine. “After the first few days, we realized that we were sitting around the TV and snacking all day, which is not good for your mind or your body,” Dr. Zeichner says. Now “we have made a schedule for the kids and for us—we try to create a normal day, which includes scheduled meals, exercise, work time, and play.”
Dr. Holly Hanson, a board-certified dermatologist in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, shares a similar sentiment about her days spent at home with family. “We are practicing self-care by trying to keep a new normal routine,” she says. “We are taking time to exercise, get fresh air, take long baths, and enjoy time together as a family.”
On practicing self-care
Speaking of self-care, undoubtedly one of its many important facets is sleep—and now seems to be an ideal time to bank some extra Z’s. “We are getting more sleep than usual,” says Dr. Patricia Wexler, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “We slept eight hours last night, which is totally unusual for us.”
Other forms of self-care that social-distancing doctors are implementing include the usual suspects. “We are using this time to really catch up on relaxation and meditation as well as any reading we have been wanting to get to,” says Dr. Harold Lancer, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills. “Mindset is very important during times like this, [so] I practice deep breathing, to calm my mind.”
Exercise was also top of the list for all seven dermatologists we spoke to. “I make sure that I continue my exercise routine as much as I can,” Dr. Frank says. While he’s a Peloton die-hard, “if you don’t have access to equipment, stretching, dancing, [or doing] any kind of movement helps,” he notes. A few derms are using apps or Youtube to stream online workout classes from the comfort of their own living room.
“As all gyms are closed, we are taking this time to work out at home and walk around our block while practicing social distancing,” Dr. Lancer says. “It’s important to be aware of the environment and not come in contact with people unnecessarily.”
Some derms are cultivating new hobbies or improving upon old ones. “I figure I am going to go to YouTube and learn how to cook,” Dr. Wexler says. “Cooking is a really good way to relax, because you don’t have time to think about anything else when you’re measuring, timing, and tasting things.”
If it suits you, “this is also a time of creativity,” Dr. Frank says. “Journaling can be a great stress relief and can lead to new ideas.”
Some days, of course, self-care wins may feel smaller—but realize that they are still wins nonetheless. “Honestly, I took the time to floss better today,” Dr. Marmur says, emphasizing that even little self-care enhancements matter right now.
Overall though, “wellness during isolation takes on many forms,” Dr. Marmur adds. Take this time to find what works for you—which may very well not be what works for the influencers on your social media feeds who are seemingly using this quarantine time to reorganize their entire homes, learn new instruments, and write the next great American novel.
On skin care…
“It’s hard to think about skin care when there are thousands of people who are sick, but it is OK to take care of yourself, even in times like these,” Dr. Zeichner says. While Drs. Zeichner, Samolitis, and Wexler are maintaining their usual skin-care routines, Dr. Lancer says that “having extra time is allowing [him] to incorporate additional products, such as masks, peels, and varying treatments.”
Pull out the jade roller that’s been sitting, unused, in your nightstand forever and slowly work the tension from your jaw. Unbox the facial-toning device you got for Christmas and see what it has to offer. Slather on an extra mask or try out the overnight peel you’ve been meaning to explore. But follow product instructions carefully—and please don’t go overboard: “During a time like this, when certain resources are restricted, I wouldn’t recommend trying a lot of new products, as it can cause potential irritation or reaction,” Dr. Wexler says. Odds are, your dermatologist has temporarily closed their practice by now and is available only for true skin emergencies.
On staying connected
“Although it is a scary time in the world, it’s a great time to reconnect with family and friends over the phone or [through] FaceTime,” Dr. Hanson says.
“Pick up the phone!” Dr. Frank urges. “We’ve become so used to distancing ourselves via electronics—now is the time to really connect with people by actually talking to them.”
The bottom line, from social-distancing dermatologists
“This is going to be a long haul, and we need to adopt a marathon mentality,” Dr. Marmur advises. “Take one strong step at a time and stay healthy.”
Though no one can predict the future course of this coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Lancer reminds us that this too shall pass—and when it does, “you’ll want to look and feel as good as you can,” he says. “It’ll be a fresh, new beginning—and you’ll want your body to feel the same way.”
