As we’re all forced to stay at home during the health crisis, we’ve been doing our work and mostly avoiding going outside unless necessary. But while we’re in quarantine, it’s essential to stay active for our physical and mental well-being.
We might start feeling anxiety and the feeling of isolation, and one of the ways to manage this is to stay busy and active.
First, Mind Your Mental Health
Perhaps the priority now is keeping your mental health in check. Mindfulness is essential to understand how you are feeling at a particular moment and taking a pause to address it.
It’s understandable to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and confused with the many things happening around you. And while it’s important to stay informed, too much information is also not good for you. We can have access to news and social media 24/7, therefore, and constant media exposure can increase the fear and perception of threat.
Be mindful of the sources you’re getting your information from, make sure they are authoritative and can be trusted to give you accurate information. Limit your social media use as it can be a place where too much noise and wrong information are posted.
Stay connected to family and friends to avoid feeling too isolated. Most importantly, work on acquiring a positive perspective on things. Meditating and mindfulness have been known to help manage stress and mental well-being. You can find websites that will guide you on how to meditate effectively.
Next, Find Ways to Stay Active
Staying active even when you’re forced to stay or work from home will benefit you both physically and psychologically. As we all know, exercising releases endorphins that triggers a positive feeling. Therefore, it also helps in fighting anxiety.
What are the quick and simple activities you can do to stay active?
Exercise
Start your day with simple exercises you can do inside your home. You don’t need workout equipment to do them like sit-ups, crunches, lunges, and jumping jacks. Strengthen your calf muscles by climbing up and down the stairs. You can also do some stretching and yoga.
Or if you’re serious about your fitness and can’t go to the gym, you can buy some tools online like dumbbells and kettlebells. YouTube has hundreds of videos you can watch for indoor exercises you can do.
Dance
You could be spending most of your time sitting if you’re working from home. It will do your body good to take breaks and push the stress away. One good way to spend those breaks is to dance. Play your favorite dance music and bop for 10 to 15 minutes.
Dancing is always a great way to release stress and negative energy.
Walk Outside or Do Outdoor Sports
You are allowed to go out once in a while, as long you’re taking all the necessary precautions and observing social distancing. Besides, you could use some air after being inside for most of the day. Just walk around the neighborhood while doing some errands, or go straight to the park to relax.
You can also call your friends and play games and sports that allow social distancing, tennis, and badminton, for example. But if you haven’t been playing or active for a while, make sure to play in courts that won’t put too much force and impact on your knees. Choose a knee-friendly sports surface or court to avoid injury.
Finally, Take Time to Relax
Being home doesn’t always equate to getting rest. Make sure you are setting the time to switch off and rest your body and mind. Relax and listen to music, read a book, or watch a movie online. Feed your brain with positive snacks and then have enough sleep.
