Staying healthy at home
The cold winter months make getting outdoors and physically active more difficult. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic as we are encouraged to stay socially distant to help prevent the spread of the virus. It’s important to continue to form healthy habits while at home to maintain our physical and mental health.
Staying physically active
We’re spending more time indoors during COVID-19 and getting out and about is increasingly difficult in the colder weather. While inside, we’re more likely to be sitting down and getting less physical exercise than we normally do. It’s important to take short breaks from sitting throughout the day. Consider doing some light stretches or walking up and down the stairs for a few minutes. You can follow an online yoga video or fitness class to reduce blood pressure, increase muscle activity and improve blood circulation. Creating time in your schedule for regular physical activity is a great way to give your days a routine which can help with mental health and encourage positive feelings.
Looking after your mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our everyday lives as we continue to restrict our movement and follow health guidelines to prevent spreading the virus. Seeing friends, family, and physical contact with those outside our bubbles has been put on hold, while parents are juggling virtual schooling from home. These new realities have put a strain on our mental health but there are things we can do to help alleviate, adapt to and overcome the pandemic stress. Having a routine, like going to bed at a usual time and exercising regularly can help with motivation. It’s important to keep informed on the recommendation of your local authorities, but reducing the amount of daily news that makes you feel anxious can help improve your mental wellbeing. Continue to keep in touch with close friends and loved ones over the phone or online – there are many ways you can connect with others in a virtual setting like playing online chess, streaming movies together, or having a video chat. When feeling anxious or distressed, practice mindfulness and seek support from friends, family and your community.
Eating healthy
What we eat affects both our physical and mental health and is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic as our diet can influence how our bodies prevent and recover from infection. While we spend more time at home, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet which means cutting back on salt and sugary snacks and eating a variety of different foods that include fruits and vegetables to ensure that we’re consuming the necessary vitamins and nutrients our bodies need. Remember that staying hydrated is essential to normal bodily functions and can even prevent overeating which is now more common as we are sedentary at home.