As the news of COVID-19 is currently dominating the headlines, it is important to take care of your mental health, your home, and your physical wellbeing during this time.
The idea of self-isolation may seem daunting, but keep in mind that your home can be a space to improve many aspects of yourself. Start with focusing on your environment. What can you do to make your home feel relaxing? Our homes are the most important space because it is where we start and end our days. It is a sanctuary, where we go to relax and decompress. Here are some ways you can shift your mindset and improve your wellbeing if you’re staying indoors for a period of time.
FIND A ROUTINE
Sometimes it’s a lot easier to get through your day when you follow an ordinary routine as much as possible. Wake up earlier than you need to before starting your day, especially if you are working from home. Treat your day like you would any other day before work. Do the things that normally wake you up and avoid falling into a groggy trap. A lot of people will find it harder to focus and get things done when they’re at home, so ensure that you make your bed, leave the bedroom completely and focus in a different room. When you shift your mindset and set yourself goals to complete tasks, the day will run more smoothly.
NATURAL LIGHT
The lack of sunlight and fresh air can have adverse affects on the body and mind’s function. Start with increasing the amount of natural light in your home, as it will bring in a fresh atmosphere. You can easily incorporate this by switching to light-weight fabrics and light-coloured curtains that will bring in more light, opening up some windows and even using natural materials to decorate your space – such as indoor plants and flowers. If you have a garden or balcony, sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. This can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and make you feel more relaxed.
CLEAN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
A study on the psychology of the home found that people who describe their homes as “cluttered” and “unfinished” were more likely to be fatigued and depressed. Keeping things clean in your home is important not only for the sake of clarity and organisation, but it is also instrumental on your mental wellness. During this outbreak, we are being urged to keep our hands and environment clean so try to make some time to clean surfaces thoroughly, including door handles, bathrooms and the kitchen.
BREATHE
Reap the benefits of aromatherapy at home. Using essential oils such as Eucalyptus can work well in steam form with their cleansing and anti-inflammatory advantages. Experiencing the scents of essential oils can reduce anxiety and ease minor aches, pains and even put you in a better mood. Make yourself a bottled spray and create a spritz to deodorise each room. You can also lightly mist it on your sheets and pillowcases. Try doing breathing exercises and some yoga if you feel that would help put you in a relaxed mood.
KEEP YOUR MIND STIMULATED
Give yourself time to start reading books, magazines and articles, doing puzzles, listening to podcasts or even getting creative and starting a new hobby. Your brain needs to stay occupied and challenged. For those who are working from home, make time to find a suitable space where you can focus. Declutter your work area, eat a healthy breakfast and sit in a room that has a window.
TRY TO STAY ACTIVE
Self-isolating does not necessarily mean that you are never allowed to leave your home. Feel free to go outside to take a walk or go for a run. Also, set up a dedicated area in your home if leaving is not an option and it will motivate you more to do exercise as it will be ready for you to use any equipment you need. Fear not, if you have an aversion to exercise, your physical activities can range from cleaning your home, dancing to some music to following online exercise workouts. If you notice that you’ve been sitting down for too long just simply stand up, walk around and stretch.
Maintaining good health is essential to a long and happy life. Try not to spend too much time indoors, as you can always find ways to access nature by going to your local park, sitting in your garden or going for a short walk. Ensure that you have a checklist of tasks you want to complete, and you’ll find that things will get easier day by day.
Your home is where you’ll be spending most of your time. So make it a good one.