With COVID cases on the rise, more people are hunkering down. Part of staying healthy at home includes maintaining the wellbeing of the body and mind to reduce stress. Bad habits while working from home can increase stress and lead to all sorts of problems—anxiety, body aches, weight gain. Keeping active and sticking to a schedule promotes physical and mental health during self-isolation. Here are a few ways to reduce stress with healthy activities.
Make Daily Schedule
When you’re home all day, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Sure, streaming Netflix or playing Candy Crush can help you wind down. But, during lockdown and/or restrictions on out of home activties, screen time can quickly overwhelm your life. One solution is to schedule a daily routine of meals, activities, exercise, and sleep/wake times. Sticking to your plan will help you stay active and healthy at home.
Exercise
One thing to include in your daily routine is exercise. Any form of exercise is enough to boost endorphins and reduce stress. There are plenty of ways to stay active at home with little or no additional equipment. Choose one you enjoy, or try something new each day, such as:
- Walking
- Jogging
- Jumping rope
- Climbing stairs
- Dancing
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Weightlifting
- Gardening
Home-cooked Meals
Include meal preparation as part of your daily routine. We know it’s tempting to order DoorDash every day of quarantine. However, cooking at home is healthier and cheaper. Not to mention, creative activities like cooking and baking positively impact mental wellness. Online cooking classes are a great way to stay active and creative at home. So, grab some curbside groceries and get cooking.
Meditation
In addition to staying active, include time in your schedule to wind down. There are plenty of meditation apps and guided relaxation videos out there. But, some of you are thinking, “meditation isn’t for me.” Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting in lotus position saying, “ohm.” You could listen to peaceful music, spend time in prayer, walk around the block. The point is carving out quiet time to calm your mind.
A balance of exercise, healthy meals and relaxation go a long way toward maintaining physical and mental wellness. Sometimes keeping your body healthy requires physical therapy. Enjoy individualized treatment in the comfort of your home. Schedule a telehealth appointment online today.
Keep Your Human Connections
During these times we are all facing, pick up the phone and talk to people you care about. It can make a big difference in their day, as well as yours.