How to self-care if you have to self-isolate
It can be easy to fall into the trap of turning into a couch potato if you have to stay at home due to coronavirus. However, it could be the perfect opportunity to self-care and do some of the things you have been putting off for an age, because you just haven’t had the time.
Instead of dreading it, make the most of it.
- Every day get dressed as if you were going out to work. It’s tempting to stay in lounge wear, or even pyjama’s if you have to stay at home. This can make you feel good about yourself.
- Exercise at home. Use the stairs. Did you know that climbing the stairs for 2 minutes per day is equivalent to jogging for 10 minutes per day. Even if you have to work from home, make an effort to raise your heart rate at least once per hour. Put on some uplifting music, run up and down the stairs, do some knee raises, jog on the spot, do some squats, lunges, and use a chair, or bottom of the stairs to do some tricep dips.
For those of you that are used to going to an exercise class, but can’t – improvise. If you have a bike, see if you can get hold of a turbo trainer or an exercise bike and sign up to Zwift. There are also loads of exercise classes on Youtube that you can join in with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVpDW5bap8w
Exercise releases happy chemicals, which will boost your mood and keep your energy levels up.
- Feed your mind – Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for so long, but haven’t had the time and start reading. Listen to podcasts and Ted talks. If you haven’t done this before, you might be surprised at what you will learn and be inspired to start your own. https://www.coachmag.co.uk/entertainment/4671/9-best-podcasts-to-maximise-your-mind-power
- Start writing yourself. You may have always thought about writing a book. This could be your time to start putting your story together. You may have already started, but didn’t have the time, because life got in the way. Now may be the perfect time to get it done.
- Decorate the house. This could be the perfect time to spruce up the house. Maybe the walls could do with a fresh lick of paint.
- Get cooking – So many people rely on ready meals, because time gets in the way, but they are often full of preservatives and are not healthy, even if they claim to be. There is nothing like good home cooking. Spend some time looking for recipes on line and experiment. Get the kids involved, so they can learn and pick up some skills too. I know so many teens who are about to leave home to go to University who don’t even know how to make a cup of tea.
- Clear out the wardrobes. This is a job I always put off, but it can be quite therapeutic once done and great when you find that top you forgot you had.
- Do things together as a family. When was the last time you sat down together and played a game of Monopoly? Get the board games out. This can really get the family interacting and can take up a couple of hours of time.
- Catch up with your favourite movies or box-sets
- Phone friends and family. We don’t pick up the phone much anymore. Most of our conversations are done virtually, but a good natter can pass a lot of time and make people feel better.
- Coronovirus may be making you feel tense and stressed. If you haven’t tried it, start practicing mindfulness. This is a great way to be present and in the moment. Combine this with a yoga routine. As with the fitness videos on Youtube, there are some great Yoga videos on Youtube too. For mindfulness, I recommend an App called Samten and Headspace.
- Create some playlists. Music is great for the soul and can make you feel better. Sign up to Spotify for a variety of music and have fun with it.
