With the unusual circumstances people face right now, many are forced to stay home for their safety. This has drastically changed people’s regular routines. Staying at home can significantly affect one’s health as it often leads to sedentary behavior, resulting in overeating and lack of exercise. Fortunately, there are several ways you can stay in top-notch condition even when stuck at home
With that in mind, here are seven ways you can stay healthy while being stuck at home, ensuring a better quality of life.
Stay Active and Get Moving
Even if most gyms and recreational facilities are closed nowadays, it’s crucial to keep in mind that to make your health and fitness a priority no matter what. Plus, experts suggest getting 75 to 100 minutes of weekly exercise. Being active and staying as one is crucial to one’s health, especially when stuck at home.
You can choose to go somewhere for a walk, play sports, or take a leisurely swim at the pool to stay healthy. For health buffs, being unable to go to the gym or outdoors for their exercise fix meant they had to make modifications at home. Some individuals transformed their entire backyard into a mini football field or resurfaced their home tennis courts so that they could play more games without tiring easily.
Stick to a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Being stuck at home undoubtedly disrupted your sleeping schedules, leading to under- and oversleeping. Although it may be challenging, you must create a structure supporting beneficial habits such as sticking to a healthy sleeping schedule. Generally, the best resting time is around 7 to 9 hours, providing better concentration, improved productivity, and more.
Stay Connected
While you’re stuck at home and far apart from some of your loved ones, take advantage of the moment and catch up with some of them online. Whether it’s an old friend or distant relative, it’s vital to determine that you can stay emotionally connected to the people that matter to you the most, regardless of height. Numerous studies have proven that people who regularly engage in healthy relationships experience lower rates of depression, heart disease, and anxiety, ensuring overall better health—inside out.
Snack on Healthy Foods
Spending more of your time at home typically means you’ll be using more of your time close to your kitchen, leading to frequent snacking, which is often unhealthy. To avoid gaining weight while still satiating your hunger and cravings, replace your snacks with healthier alternatives. Although the transition may seem a bit challenging, it’s worth-while. You can start by preparing vegetables and fruits as you go home, storing healthy snacks instead of processed ones, and making your snacks at the start of the day, controlling portion sizes.
Access Health Care Virtually
Although some health concerns require in-person visits with a healthcare professional, many ‘common’ health issues can be addressed virtually, allowing patients to get the treatment they need at the comfort of their homes. That’s why to keep your health in top-notch condition—it’s best to have a regular checkup online to address any physical or mental issues you have.
Get Some Sunshine Once in a While
While you’re likely stuck at home for most of the day when you get the chance to go out, grab it and soak in warm sun rays once in a while. Natural light has been proven to improve one’s mood and reduce the risk of developing seasonal affective disorder, allowing you to stay physically and mentally healthy while enjoying the great outdoors.
Getting at least 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure several times every week can help you enjoy the benefits mentioned. Just make sure to apply sunscreen.
Laugh!
Although most news nowadays seems to be dire, inducing stress and plenty of worries, it isn’t the time to wallow in negative thoughts. That’s because being isolated for so long dramatically affects your mental and emotional well-being, diminishing your overall health. That’s why though it may feel unusual to express lightheartedness during these times—it’s a necessary form of self-care that gives you a break from the heaviness of reality, keeping you sane and mentally healthy.
The best way to fight this is by laughing. It’s a natural stress-relief tool that’s been proven to alleviate anxiety and improve blood flow to vital organs, stimulating the release of endorphins, further mitigating muscle tension, and improving your immune system’s condition. So, watch a funny movie or talk with an old friend on the phone, and enjoy the moment.
With more individuals spending more in their homes than ever before, it’s crucial to be mindful of your physical and mental health during these trying times, and following the tips mentioned can help maintain your health while you’re stuck at home.
