While this is in no way an exhaustive list on how to stay fit and healthy during self-isolation, we hope that these small steps may help those struggling with their physical and mental state during these trying times.
While this is in no way an exhaustive list on how to stay fit and healthy during self-isolation, we hope that these small steps may help those struggling with their physical and mental state during these trying times.
For so many around the globe, COVID-19 has brought unprecedented measures – the immense loss of life, quarantined cities, lockdowns, loss of jobs and livelihoods, and heavy mental stress on the state of the world today. While in self-isolation, it can be difficult to retain a sense of normality in life – especially when it seems like the days and weeks are melding into one.
In an effort to help remind and encourage all of us to make small attempts at keeping our physical (and mental) well-being at a healthy state, here are just a few tips on how to stay fit and healthy while in self-isolation:
Get Up And Stretch
Whether you’re working from home or staying at home waiting for the end of this pandemic, it’s still important to ensure you are periodically getting up to stretch and move around. It can be easy to lay in bed or sit on the sofa for hours getting sucked into your phone or laptop – but this will actually make you feel worse at the end of the day.
Stretching will help you feel mentally and physically refreshed, with a fresh flow of oxygen to your brain. Make sure you’re stretching all parts of your body as well – including your lower back, legs, and shoulders. It’s enough that we’re all feeling cramped from being forced into self-isolation, so help make sure your body isn’t feeling cramped as well.
Use Your Muscles
For many of us, our normal lives include running up and down the stairs at the underground or train stations, walking long distances, or lifting heavy objects in any kind of work in retail or hospitality for example. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to be using our muscles – and many of us heavily use our muscles during the day without even knowing it.
So being in self-isolation can feel even more tiring because we’re not using those muscles anymore. It may have seemed like nothing to run up a long flight of stairs at the underground station, but since being in self-isolation, when was the last time you ran up a long flight of stairs? It’s important to continue using your essential muscles to help keep your body and mind active and healthy – and your body will thank you once we’ve got our normal lives back and you’re rushing to catch the train.
Leave The House At Least Once A Day
Many of us are struggling mentally during these trying times – and it can seem daunting or pointless to even leave the house sometimes. While taking care of your mental health, try and ensure that you are leaving the house at least once a day – if not for your physical health, do it for your mental health.
Even if it is just to the corner shop (ensure you are social distancing) or a quick walk around the block, make sure you outside at least once a day. Mentally, it is important to stimulate your brain as well – the different textures, sights, depths, and sounds from outside will do wonders to the brain and leave you feeling refreshed and happier.
Take A Long Walk
For those of us in the UK, we’ve been allowed to leave the house once a day – but this doesn’t mean it has to be a quick run around the block. While ensuring that you are following the rules of social distancing, you can take this opportunity to treat yourself to a long walk – let your mind wander and try to forget the many stresses we all have and simply focus on a good long walk.
Those who are lucky to be living near a park or green space can also try taking a long walk where you can see green, water, animals, or trees – this can really do wonders for the brain. Being next to or in nature, any kind of nature, is a beautiful way to calm the mind and make sure you finish your walk with a healthy mental and physical state after being in self-isolation in an enclosed space.
Take Breaks From Using Your Phone or Laptop
It can be easy to get sucked into using your phone all day – following the news and keeping yourself distracted on social media works for small periods of time throughout the day, however if done too much can be mentally unhealthy. Our mental stress plays a vital role in our physical health, and we have to ensure we are taking care of our mental health the same way we take care of our physical health.
Make sure you give yourself breaks away from your phone, laptop, or technology. Your mind needs to de-stress, and oftentimes your stress will be triggered by being online. Take breaks by reading a book, cooking, exercising, going outside, or doing a hobby that relaxes you.
Ensure You Are Still In Contact With Those Close To You
Self-isolating does not mean you have to mentally cut off all ties with those you are close to or society in general – in fact it is now more important than ever that you are ensuring we stay united as family, friends, and community members.
Make sure you are keeping in contact with loved ones (while physically distancing) – this will not only ensure they are also safe and healthy but it will help your mental stress as well. Being able to talk to and express your anxieties and fears to those you trust and love can help you understand the situation we are in during this pandemic, and paint a clearer picture once explained to someone else. Make sure you’re staying in contact with those you love not only for them, but for yourself as well.
While this is in no way an exhaustive list on how to stay fit and healthy during self-isolation, we hope that these small steps may help those struggling with their physical and mental state during these trying times. Remember, its okay to not feel okay every single day during these hard times, as long as you are still taking care of yourself at the end of the day.
We pray that we will all come out of this pandemic as stronger and better believers inshallah.
