Before the pandemic, the word ‘home’ used to mean relaxation. But now that we live amid a pandemic, being at home means working from nine to five, doing everyday chores, and helping our children with their online school. We may be staying inside, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we get to relax. But despite our busy schedule, we must focus on ourselves because, at times like these, we can not afford to break down.
Eat Healthily
According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, the risk of being overweight has heightened because of the pandemic. Some causes of potential obesity are snacking after dinner, eating in response to stress, and lack of dietary restraint.
Of course, it is more convenient to order in after a tiring day of work and chores. There is instant gratification when you take a bite from a juicy cheeseburger or your favorite pepperoni pizza. Though there is nothing wrong with eating foods high in carbohydrates and fat as long as it’s in moderation, it is still best to focus on a healthier diet. You can start by eating more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, to name a few.
Exercise Daily
The pandemic has disrupted our exercise routine, like jogging in the morning or going to the gym. Many of us completely stopped exercising because we do not have the equipment we usually use in fitness centers. However, that should not be an excuse. As mentioned above, being stuck in quarantine can lead to being overweight, and we can battle that by eating healthily and exercising daily.
If possible, you can contact your personal trainer and ask if it is possible to have an online session. If not, everything is now available on the internet. YouTube has many self-help exercise routines that you can try. Some videos focus on beginners, and some teach a more rigorous routine. Some of the most basic exercises you can do at home are jumping jacks, skip rope, planking, push-ups, and stretching.
Have Enough Sleep
This is something that we should all by now. Medical experts can not reiterate how important it is for our mind and body to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep at night. Though it may be hard for some, especially if you are working on a graveyard shift or suffering from a sleep disorder, there are still several ways that can help you get enough amount of sleep.
You can begin winding down after a busy day by having a warm bath. Warm water cools down the body and signals the end of the day. You can buy scented candles with lavender and light them while taking a long, warm relaxing bath in your tub.
It will also help if you turn off all your electronic gadgets at least one hour before your sleep time. Studies are showing that the blue light from our electronics can mess with our natural sleep cycle.
Relax Your Mind and Soul
The pandemic has caused us stress, anxiety, and even depression. We can not help but overthink because the surrounding situation is far from getting better. Despite all these, we need to spend time to silence our minds and soul. We need to take a silent moment to try to be at peace.
Yoga is one of the most common forms of exercise that many are doing to relax their minds and soul. Generally speaking, yoga is a beautiful combination of heavy, deep breaths, physical exercise, relaxation, and meditation. It is an ancient practice that focuses on lowering blood pressure and heart rate, which can help reduce stress levels.
You do not need fancy gym equipment to do yoga. In fact, you will only need a mat and a quiet place to start practicing it. If you do not have a professional instructor, you can always go to the internet and search for yoga videos for beginners.
Unplug
With all the bad things and news that we see online, we must unplug from time to time. Before, it is easy for us to step away from the world and go to a place where we can relax, but now that we are stuck at home, we have no choice but to make do with what we have.
You can let go of your gadget and read the book collecting dust on the shelf or put on your favorite music and let it flow through you. You can also use the time to have long, meaningful conversations with your loved ones or do fun offline activities with your kids.
Many are anxious and getting stressed because of the new normal. With all the drastic changes, it has become hard to pay attention to ourselves, especially when caring for other people. But as parents and adults, we still need to make an effort to focus on our well-being because others depend on us.
