How to Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health while Being Stuck at Home

By Siham Abdullahi

Switching from working at the office to working from home was perhaps an overwhelming change for many of us, and one that we did not see coming. Although self-isolation and social distancing are measures to keep us safe, staying at home all day can take a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing. Therefore, it is important that we prioritize self-care during this time of global uncertainty, so here are some tips on what you can do to keep physically and mentally healthy!

Create a Routine

When we’re stuck at home, we can fall out of the healthy schedules that form part of our normal, everyday lives because they simply would not work under these new circumstances. So why not create a new one? A good routine gives our day some much needed structure, and it help us focus on the important things. But don’t pressure yourself to stick to it completely and start with creating a simple routine to plan your week.

Start the day off right by waking up at the same time every day and making your bed, so you don’t feel tempted to get back into it! Have a morning shower, as well as anything else that you would do on your usual morning. If you have no underlying conditions, you can even try to take a morning walk or run to stretch your legs, boost your energy, and improve your mindset by making you feel ready to start the day. As well as enjoying the fresh air, it can be a great time to catch up with your family and friends — have a videocall with someone and talk about your favorite shows or something else that will take your mind off of things, so you don’t feel alone.

Finally, set a daily goal! It can give you something to work towards during the day, and it can keep you motivated. With the additional free time that comes with social distancing, you can try to do all the things that you said you never had the time to do before, such as organizing your closet.

Stay Active at Home

When we want to be active, we tend to instantly think about activities that require us to leave the house, such as going to the gym and hiking, but you can still stay fit and healthy through different ways within the comfort of your own home. This can even help to boost your mental health and wellbeing, by reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.

Yoga is a perfect activity to do at home: you don’t need much space or equipment, and it reduces pain, improves flexibility, and helps you sleep better. If yoga is not for you, there are many other exercises and activities you can do such as gardening and playing with your children. Check out these companies, for example, that are waiving their fees for online exercise classes!

You can try to maintain a healthy diet by having three balanced meals a day. As food can influence our mood, it is important to make sure our meals are nutritious. You can explore different cuisines and try out new recipes to make cooking a more exciting experience. It is also a great family activity to keep your children occupied for those few extra hours or something you can do with your partner.

Stay Connected

There are many ways you can communicate with your friends and family. Phone calls and texts are fantastic, however, a videocall with your loved ones can make a huge difference in shifting your mood. You can even start having virtual lunch dates with your colleagues while you are stuck working from home.

Don’t Forget to Relax

It’s important to give yourself some time throughout the day to unwind. Make sure to take breaks while working which can be easy to forget. Even though working from home can feel relaxing, adequate breaks will prevent you from feeling drained.

A great way to relax your mind is through meditation and mindfulness activities — it will help you feel calm and focus your attention on the present by clearing your thoughts. There are many apps, websites, and videos with mindfulness activities you can try at home.

You can also get your creative juices flowing by doing some fulfilling and meaningful activities like reading new books, playing puzzles, drawing, or doing some writing. This is a great time to learn a new hobby!

End the day with a soothing bath and track your thoughts and achievements from the day in a journal. Make sure to go to bed early to get at least eight hours of sleep. That way, you can start off your next home office day feeling refreshed.

About Siham Abdullahi

Siham Abdullahi is an International Development with Economics student at the University of Bath, currently working as an intern in the Public Relations Team at InterNations. She loves being outdoors, climbing, and cycling.

Article Topics

#StayHomeStaySafe

Friends & Relationships

Settling In

Being Grateful and Finding Positivity as an Expat

For many expats, 2020 has been a difficult year and it is easy to fall into despair. But even when times seem dark and desperate, there are always things that can bring you happiness. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the time to reflect on all the things you can be thankful for this year.
How Learning a Language Can Help You Settle In

When you first move abroad, figuring out where to begin with your new life can be overwhelming. From building a social circle to finding out more about the culture and history of your new city, learning the local language can make your whole settling in process a whole lot easier!
Living Sustainably and Giving Back to Your Local Community

Sustainability and community go hand in hand! From food to free time, take a look at how you can make small changes to your routine to ensure that you are taking care of Mother Nature, while at the same time giving back to fellow citizens in your new home.
Creative Greetings in Times of Physical Distancing

Physical distancing is a necessity during this pandemic, but it has also created a new problem: how should people greet one another if they can’t shake hands, hug, or kiss on the cheek? With some creativity, you can find other ways to greet people, and it might even be a great conversation starter.
Making the Most of Social Distancing — Checking In without Checking Out of Your Home

Social distancing can help prevent the coronavirus from spreading further, however, many of us question how we can still stay in touch and connected with our loved ones. This article will provide you with tips on how to stay social during this social distancing period.