A Guide To Staying Happy and Healthy At Home
Whether you are self-isolating, working from home, or practicing social distancing, we put together 10 tips for staying happy and healthy at home.
10 Important ‘Stays’ When Staying Home
1. Stay Structured
Even if you do not plan on going anywhere, it is still important to follow a regular routine. Studies show that making a schedule can help boost your productivity, help ward off stress, and even boost your mood.
Examples of setting up a daily routine include:
- Having a regular meal schedule
- Having a set time to wake up and go to bed
- Having a set shower time
- Having set work hours
- Setting a daily time to workout or take a walk
2. Stay Virtually Connected
Staying connected to friends and family through phone calls and video chats can be important for your overall mood. Social media sites also make it easy to interact and connect with your social circle.
Try to communicate with friends and family as much as possible. You can even get creative and host virtual meetings, coffee breaks, workout sessions, or happy hours with friends or co-workers.
Aim to check in with at least two loved ones a day to help maintain a sense of connection and socialization.
Staying connected with loved ones and work colleagues during this time is important.
3. Stay Curious
Now is a fantastic time to learn something new! Whether you have always wanted to learn to paint, wanted to take up baking, learn a new language, or were curious to learn more about woodworking, this is a great opportunity to dedicate some time to master a new skill or hobby.
4. Stay Positive
Research shows that positive thinking can have a desirable impact on your overall health and well-being.
To cultivate positive feelings, try keeping a daily gratitude journal, practicing mindfulness, performing relaxation exercises, and discussing favorite experiences and memories with friends and family.
5. Stay Conscious of Good Nutrition
While now is certainly a tempting time to indulge in comfort foods, it is crucial to maintain healthy eating habits. While a few indulgences can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, it is important to include adequate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality protein in your daily eating plan.
Good nutrition is vital when you’re working from home.
6. Stay Active
Being indoors and at home more increases your chance of becoming sedentary. Break up long periods of sitting by setting a timer to remind you to get up and walk around for several minutes every half an hour.
YouTube is full of free workouts that can be done at home, along with a wide variety of online fitness platforms that are now offering free programming. You can also head out for a bike ride, hike, or run while still maintaining the recommended six feet of space between yourself and other individuals.
7. Stay Busy
Have some spring cleaning to catch up on? Is there a project you have been putting off for years because you have been too busy to get to it? Consider taking advantage of the slower pace of life right now to dive into some projects!
8. Stay Away From Too Much News
While staying up to date on the latest updates and public health announcements can be important, too much news can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety.
If you find yourself pulled into constantly checking the news even though it leaves you stressed, set specific limits as to when and how often you can check it. Some options include:
- Give yourself 10 minutes to watch the news in the morning
- Allot a 5 minute time window twice a day to scroll through online updates
- Avoid watching the news too close to bedtime if you find it affects your ability to fall asleep
9. Stay Engaged in a Book
Although binge-watching your favorite tv series can be an easy way to pass the hours by, reading or listening to an audiobook can stimulate your imagination while calming an anxious brain and giving you a break from reality.
Research shows that reading can help you relax and fall asleep easier, along with a host of other proven benefits.
Stay engaged in a good book during this isolation period.
10. Stay In Touch With Us
Please know that we are here for you during this time. If you need some encouragement or have questions about what kind of foods and supplements to include in your daily routine, please feel free to reach out to us.
Wishing you health and wellness!
