The gyms are closed, health food shops and vegan restaurants shut down, and no marathons for the foreseeable future. We’re more or less confined to the house, which makes staying healthy quite a challenge. If you’re not careful, the combination of low activity, reduced availability of food, and stressful news headlines could cause your physical and mental health to decline.
Staying fit and healthy is more important than ever in lockdown. We all need to stay positive and look to the future, keeping our minds and bodies strong to face whatever challenges arise. If you are finding it difficult to look after your health while in lockdown, here are some tips to help you.
Make exercise more fun
When government advice says you’re allowed out for a short burst of exercise each day, this can severely limit your options. Running a lap around your neighborhood can get dull after a few days. If you’re the kind of person who prefers the fun, social atmosphere of gym classes, or the beautiful scenery of a hike in the mountains, your options are limited. Whether you’re new to exercise or a fitness fanatic, it can be hard to motivate yourself to work out if you’re not enjoying it. Instead, try making exercise more fun by varying it up. Go for a run one day, a walk another day, and a bike ride the next. There are hundreds of free online workouts of all kinds that you can try. You might find something you love. If you’re missing the freedom to get out and exercise wherever you want, try expanding your horizons within your neighborhood. Find roads and footpaths you’ve never set foot on before, or challenge yourself to run every street in your city.
Eat well
It can be hard to resist the temptation to snack or order an unhealthy takeaway when stuck at home, but eating well is crucial for maintaining health. Even though you may be out of a routine, stick to regular mealtimes, and try to eat a balanced diet. Find healthy recipes online that anyone can quickly whip up.
Manage stress
The constant barrage of fear-mongering headlines would make even the most upbeat person anxious. Stop continually checking news and social media, which can damage your mental health and lead to stress and anxiety. Switch off and only check the headlines once a day if you have to.
Be kind to your eyes
This doesn’t mean treating them to a new pair of Gucci glasses. Your eyesight is one of the most critical aspects of your well-being, and it’s essential to look after it. Being stuck at home, we’re probably spending more time in front of screens than we would like to admit. Our phones, computers, and televisions are our windows to the outside world, but staring out the actual window would be much healthier. Too much time on screens causes eye strain and can lead to degeneration of vision over time. Take breaks from the screen as much as you can. Perhaps allocate some time each day in which to disconnect from technology entirely.
What tips do you recommend for staying healthy at home?
*This is a collaborative post*