Remember to do things that help you feel healthy, both physically healthy, and mentally healthy! These long periods indoors run against so many things that we’re familiar with. Fortunately, there are great things we can all easily do to help us feel better even while stuck at home. Here are a few ideas!
Exercise and Physical Health:
Even those people who didn’t exercise a lot before the lockdown at least got some exercise from during the day to go to work, do errands, do shopping, etc. Stuck in the house, our bodies are suffering from so much less movement. To make up for that, I try to do good physical movement at least twice per day, once in the morning with some nice simple yoga stretching and warm-ups, and so more physically active exercise in the evening. For me that includes jump rope, push ups, squats, situps, and more. If you’re not sure what kind of exercise helps you feel better, try out different videos online and on different apps. There are some great ones include 7-minute workouts, HIIT – high intensity interval training workouts, dancing workouts, and more! Find one that works for you … and then keep doing it every day! Even a few minutes will likely help you feel a lot better in your body, especially during lockdown times.
Mental Health:
This can be very different for different people, and depending on the challenges you’re struggling with. Some people are struggling with depression, sadness, fears over financial or health issues, challenges with motivation, loneliness, and others. First off, rest assured that you’re not alone, and that what you’re feeling is totally normal. All those issues are normal during normal times … and they’re all the more expected during challenging times.
Second off, keep in mind that there’s something you can do about any of those issues. Some things you can work on yourself, through things like journaling, meditation, music, reading, taking breaks, and more. Other things you can do with friends, to hop on calls to share concerns, play games, have a drink or meal together over a call or videoconference, or otherwise.
Sometimes it’s best to discuss with a professional therapist, either one you know or can get connected through a friend, or through some different apps. This is a normal thing, so don’t be shy and give it a try.
Regardless, the most important thing is to keep trying out different approaches until you find what resonates best with you, and helps you be the best version of yourself. 🙂
Lastly, stay safe! For our collective safety, and for the wellbeing of our wonderful frontline workers in the hospitals and elsewhere, let’s do our best to #StopTheSpread! The more we can be physically and mentally healthy at home, the more we can protect our lives and the lives of others around us.
