Take care of your mental health and fitness

Many of us will spend a lot of time at home and many of our daily social activities will not be available to us.

It will be helpful to try to look at this period in your life in a different light. Even if you don't choose it, it doesn't have to be bad.

1. Plan your day

We are all adopting a new but strange lifestyle. It can be a threat to our mental health.

Because it can be tempting to stay in pajamas all day, everyday routines are essential for our identity, self-confidence, and purpose.

Try to start your day around what you normally do, and set aside time each day for walks, fun, and socializing.

2. Be more active every day

Staying active reduces stress, increases energy, makes us more alert and helps us sleep better.

Find different ways to incorporate physical activity and engagement into your day and discover some of the tasks that work best for you.

There are many ways to keep your body active and exercise, even at home.

3. Try something fun

Relaxing and focusing on the current situation can help improve your mental health and alleviate negative emotions.

Try a few meditation and breathing exercises to find out what helps you. For example, sometimes we get so stressed that we don't even remember how to feel calm. When you are overwhelmed by stress, the process of gradually relaxing your muscles teaches you how to calm down.

4. Keep in touch with others

You may feel lonely, especially when you are alone at home. Find creative ways to stay in touch with coworkers, friends, family, and others so you (and they) can feel more connected and supported.

Find ways to communicate that work for you, whether by mail, phone, social media, or video chat. The process can range from sharing a cup of tea on video to playing an online game together or just sending an encouraging text.

5. Spend time meditating and showing self-loathing.

Spend time every day thinking about what is good. It is important to identify your accomplishments and the things for which you are grateful, no matter how trivial. Consider having a Thanksgiving diary in which you can write two or three things each night before going to bed.

Mindfulness tips can also help you focus on your situation instead of on useless ideas (although they may not be helpful for people with severe depression).

6. Improve your sleep

Feelings of uncertainty and changes in daily life may mean that you have more difficulty sleeping.

There are many things you can do to improve your sleep. Even if possible, aim to go to bed at the same time on the weekends and wake up at the same time every day, and try to get natural sunlight wherever possible. This helps regulate your body clock which can help you sleep better.

Stop using your phone, tablet, computer, or TV one hour before going to bed.

Rumors and speculation can add to the anxiety. Access to good quality information about the virus can go a long way in helping you to control it.

Follow hygiene tips such as washing your hands more often than usual with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. You should do this whenever you come home or go to work, cough, eat or touch food. If you can't wash your hands right away, use a hand sanitizer, and then wash them the next time.

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