This is an uncertain time for all of us, and something we have never experienced before.
Going out, socialising with others – in whatever setting, is a social normality for us all.
I, along with the majority feel somewhat anxious about the coming weeks, and months, and having to suddenly readjust and re-evaluate day to day living.
I have come up with a bit of a plan for both a physical and mental health.
1. Routine
If you are lucky enough to be able to work from home, stick with your usual work hours and breaks where possible.
If you are unable to work from home, think about how you will spend your days and create yourself a new routine…try to keep times as ‘normal’ (whatever that is for you) so that when the time comes to head back to work, it won’t be a shock to the system.
Plan your days, with ‘work, eating and rest’ scheduled in. Ideas for yours days…and this is by no means an extensive list!
- Is there some DIY around the house you have been meaning to do but not had the time? Make a plan to complete this. A sense of accomplishment and great for mental wellbeing, as is creating a beautiful living space.
- Have you wanted to learn more about a certain subject or skill? Have a look on line, there are thousands of courses available, many providers offering discounts during this time. Keeping the brain active is also great for mental health and you will help improve your cognitive processing.
- Get creative. This is another fantastic outlet of mental wellbeing, whether it’s painting, drawing, and colouring in, sewing, writing or playing music.
2. Sleep
Sleep and overall health are intrinsically linked including the number of hours you are sleeping and regularity of this.
Maintain a modest bedtime and set an alarm each morning – the recommend number of hours sleep you should have is between 7 and 9. Help improve your sleep quality by limiting screen use before bed, limiting intake of those pesky things that inhibit good sleep such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol.
Do get up with your alarm, avoid the temptation to snooze and lay in. Have a plan for when you get up as a motivator, e.g. the time to put washing on, or empty the dishwasher…or let the dog out.
3. Eating well.
Diet is a huge part of our health and wellbeing, and this is a crucial time to look after our bodies and stock them with the nutrients they need to keep them fighting fit.
Join our Vitto Check-ins on Wednesdays at 7:00pm – visit the LIVE Events page for more info.
The supermarkets are not as plentiful as we are used to, nor is the availability of online food shopping. There is a temptation to buy foods we wouldn’t normally eat, and being at home can create a relaxed or ‘weekend’ attitude towards eating and drinking alcohol.
I cannot stress the importance of eating normally! Eat the regular meals you are used to, and keep ‘treat’ food as ‘treat’ food!
Make a meal plan, and stick to it. Include plenty of fresh fruit and veg, good fats, protein. Eat carbohydrates and sugars minimally day to day…and keep your usual ‘cheat day’. (I am not a complete kill joy)! Drink plenty of water. And please, do not buy more food than you need.
4. Keep active at home.
Keeping active is hugely important for your physical wellbeing, immune system and mental health. So in these coming weeks, maintain your fitness as much as possible.
The fitness Team have all worked really hard to create online content for you all, providing you with some great work outs that are easy to do at home, including chair workouts and body weight programmes. Please use these and encourage your friends and family to join Odyssey: Online!
In addition things like house work burn calories; why not lunge and hoover?! Gardening is also a great way to keep active, mowing the lawn is a great ‘push-pull’ exercise! Use your one outing a day where you can, and do this responsibly.
5. Maintain social contact.
For many of us, spending time with friends and family is our preferred way to spend our free time. With this now not being possible, make use of the amazing technology we have to keep in touch.
Join our Friday Night Quiz, every Friday from 8:00pm.
Try and make more phone calls, this is a much better way to communicate than text – which is something we have all grown accustomed to doing. Make a point to call relatives that be alone and isolated.
Use functions like facetime, or video calling. Maybe make a date for facetime coffee or to do an online Odyssey fitness class together!
Ask people how they are, and tell them how you are feeling, be kind and be mindful!
If you use social media, try not to get swept up in things that don’t make you feel good.
Above all, keep safe, keep distance and we will see you soon.
Lianne.
