Maintaining your physical and mental health while stuck in lockdown can seem challenging at first. Many of the things you can normally rely on to make you feel good – going to the gym, family holidays, or even nights out with friends – are no longer available. Thankfully there are plenty of tips and tricks out there to help you adjust.
Much of it comes back to retaining a sense of routine (or creating a new one). Read five quick tips on how to stay healthy at home below.
Stay Healthy with Daily exercise
There are lots of ways to stay fit without stepping foot in a gym or sports hall. Many personal trainers are now offering free workouts online for you to join in with at home. Or you could weigh up your finances and kit out a home gym.
But of course, exercising doesn’t always need to be so strenuous. Simply getting out for a short walk each day, especially if working or parenting full time, can be enough to clear your mind.
Maintain a healthy diet
Whether you’re stuck at home with nothing to do or rushed off your feet as a key worker, eating a healthy diet may be the last thing on your mind. But making sure you’re getting enough of the good stuff at regular intervals is vital in fuelling your day.
Lockdown could even be the perfect opportunity to hone your cooking skills. And by getting fresh, tasty produce delivered from local suppliers, you’ll be supporting your community too.
If you have a packed schedule, you may want to consider taking supplements or getting IV therapy in Santa Clarita. These options can help ensure you get your daily vitamins to support your overall health.
Look after your mental wellbeing
Emotional wellbeing has gained increased focus in recent years as awareness of mental health issues continues to grow. There’s lots you can do to look after yours, from yoga, to meditation, and getting better sleep.
Research shows meditation is Britain’s most popular wellbeing therapy. There are plenty of apps out there to guide you through the process.
Read, read, read
With international travel on hold for now, your next adventure could lie in the pages of a good book. Reading is an excellent way to pass time while focusing your mind – and it could make it easier to doze off at night too.
If fiction isn’t your thing, see what reading material you can find to help learn a new skill.
Check in with friends and family
Isolation doesn’t have to be isolating, The video conferencing software Zoom was downloaded 2.13m times when the UK lockdown was announced, and seeing a familiar face over the internet can go some way to restoring your sense of social connection.
Arrange weekly catchups, host a virtual pub quiz, or take part in a cook-a-long. Whatever you decide on, you’ll feel better for talking to those you love.
What’s helped you feel better while stuck at home?
This is a collaborative post.
I think I have moved around more and being more active with the kids been off school. Every time my bum hits the seat one of them will shout me and need help with something. lol We’ve been on more walks and bike rides too than if they were at school.
Zoom is amazing! I’d not heard of it before Coronavirus now my girls use it for school & college and to chat with friends x
Kim Carberry recently posted…This week my Word of the Week is: Decorating! #WotW
Very good ideas, key is keeping distracted and having thinks to keep you occupied X #mmbc
One of the things that I had to get used to during lockdown was cooking every day for the whole family, no more work canteen or school dinners! I enjoy cooking but I need to find some new recipes, especially quicker ones so I don’t spend so many hours in the kitchen!
#MMBC
Catherine recently posted…Blogtour: While We Can’t Hug. Illustrator Polly Dunbar chooses five favourite picture books
You are right! Infact I have also relied on free youtube fitness channels to keep myself fit. I always had a pair of dumbels and got a couple of good videos on complete body workout through dumbels and getting great results!
John Gatesby recently posted…Do I Have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?
Thanks for sharing such helpful content! By the way, it seems like you didn’t say anything about the importance of indoor air quality. Did you know that indoor air can be five times worse than outside!? It may be very hazardous for health.
To ensure clean air, you can:
1. Ventilate the rooms regularly.
2. Add some indoor plants (they are natural air purifiers). But make sure you are not allergic to them.
3. If you have an air conditioner, clean the filters regularly.
4. Clean the air ducts regularly.
5. Do damp cleaning more often. Don’t forget to wash carpets and furniture textiles.
You made a good point! Poor indoor air quality is bad for our health, as it can cause respiratory diseases, severe headaches, chronic fatigue, and even cancer.
Thank you for mentioning air duct cleaning! Very often, homeowners ignore this.
Experts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.
And as for exercise, consider swimming. Many of us who live in private houses have a pool in the backyard. If it wasn’t in use before, now it’s high time to start using it. The thing is that swimming is incredibly beneficial for both physical and mental health as, first of all, it helps to keep the muscles in good shape (oh yes, it affects ALL the muscles of your body). Secondly, it relieves stress and helps relax.
Great tips – thank you for sharing them! By the way, there’s one more thing to pay attention to while stuck at home: all the electrical appliances – from the radio to the fridge. Old appliances contain hazardous components and gases that have a direct negative impact on the environment and your health. While they may be a little expensive to replace and install, you should consider second-hand appliances with an Energy Star rating. This way you are saving yourself money and giving perfect good appliances a new life.
Also, pay attention to the air quality in your home. Did you know that indoor air quality can be five times worse than outdoors?
Fortunately, there are some things we can do to improve it. First of all, I would recommend cleaning or replacing air conditioner filters. Dirty filters of HVAC systems are the leading cause of poor air quality at home. It would be best if you also cleaned air ducts – they accumulate lots of dust ad allergens.