Discover the ways you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and mentality, even when stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are our top 5 tips.
While COVID-19 has impacted all our daily lives’ routines and structures, this is a great opportunity for us to look at the glass half full, to step back, assess and reflect on what’s most important to us.
At bloom™ hearing specialists, we’re passionate about your hearing health and empowering you to communicate effectively. However, it’s just as important for you to focus on your overall mind, body and wellbeing health during these turbulent times. We’re put together 5 easy tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while staying at home during the coronavirus.
5 key ways to uphold your health and wellbeing during COVID-19
From keeping in touch with our loved ones over regular phone calls to maintaining healthy eating habits, let’s focus on staying on track and practicing self-care.
1. Maintain a regular schedule and accomplish daily goals
With COVID-19 Alert Level 4 measures in place until the 23rd of April or further notice, make sure that you are keeping to a regular schedule as you go about your day while at home. This could be as simple as setting your alarm at 7am every morning to get up and watch the morning news or read the paper, while brewing your caffeine of choice. Carry out your day as if nothing has changed, aside from the need to stay at home.
You can also set yourself a daily goal or task to accomplish. An example could be cleaning out your kitchen pantry, organising the essentials and throwing out products that are past their use-by date or you no longer need. Successfully ticking off tasks that you’ve been procrastinating on will leave you feeling rewarded.
While you can still enjoy a bit of a sleep in on some mornings or staying up late on some nights to finish your favourite TV show or book, maintaining a regular routine will help to keep you feeling motivated and satisfied.
2. Create a calm environment that soothes your senses
Take advantage of this time, while you have free reign over your environment, to create a soothing and uplifting atmosphere that you enjoy. Open your curtains or lift the blinds each morning to let the natural light in and bask in the warm sun rays. If you have a beautiful garden that brings you joy, you can set up a cosy reading nook or your work desk looking out to it, if space permits.
Light a scented candle or put your favourite essential oil into a diffuser for a bit of aromatherapy. Lavender, chamomile and lemon balm are just some of the popular scents known to relieve anxiety and stress.
3. Whip up nutritiously balanced meals to keep you full and satisfied
While it may be tempting to raid the pantry seeking out comfort food and indulging in cheeky snacks, it is important that you also focus on cooking healthy and balanced meals, during your time at home. If you’re finding it hard to go to your local grocer or supermarket for supplies, here are a few tips to help you the next time you’re out.
Opt for long-lasting fruits such as apples, bananas and oranges, as well as long-lasting vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and capsicums. You can also stock up on frozen or canned replacements, just be sure to choose low-sodium or unsweetened varieties to get the most benefit out of it.
Milk, canned beans, nuts, seeds and eggs are all excellent sources of protein. For healthy carbs and fibre, choose whole grain options such as brown rice, steel-cut oats and quinoa, all of which will keep well in your pantry over the coming months.
4. Stay physically active with easy indoor-friendly exercises
Just because you can’t go out for a stroll around the block doesn’t mean that you’re now confined to a life of being a couch potato. There are plenty of easy exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home, right in your living room or any area where there’s space for you to work out. We’ve put together some simple ideas to help get you started, with our article on ‘How to Stay Fit at Home During the Coronavirus’, so put on your favourite tunes and get moving!
Just make sure that if you’re trying any of the home exercises for the first time, to take it slowly and not overexert yourself. Find a spot in your home where you can always do the exercises without any obstructions while ensuring your safety.
5. Stay virtually connected with your loved ones
While you may not be able to head out to your local café to catch up over brunch or have the weekly family dinner, make time to keep in touch with your loved ones through technology. Use this time to foster stronger bonds with those you care about, as it will assist to improve your overall wellbeing.
Whether it’s a simple text to say ‘hi’ or arranging a weekly phone call to catch up and chat about what’s been happening, staying in the loop with your family and friends will help you maintain healthy social connections. You can even use nifty phone apps like Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to chat virtually face-to-face, if that’s what you prefer.