7 Ways To Help Keep Your Mind and Body Happy and Healthy During Quarantine

Books, meditation, cold showers and more.

We are now facing the circumstances we couldn’t have imagined ever before: spending every single day of the week at home, alone, with no social interactions except for an occasional FaceTime call or a Zoom conference every now and then. While the measures are certainly necessary to fight the outbreak and flatten the infamous curve, there are certain mental health risks associated with being on lockdown 24/7. Ranging from anxiety and anger to sleep disturbances, depression and PTSD, the consequences of self-isolation can be detrimental, so it’s important to take precautionary measures in order to prevent yourself from spiraling down into feelings of helplessness and panic.

Here we have seven things you can do to keep yourself sane and healthy during quarantine season. From cold showers to meditation, read our COVID-19 roundup below:

Meditate

Finding it hard to manage anxiety amid the COVID-19 crisis coupled with social isolation? Use deep, intentional breathing to cope. Next time you feel your cortisol levels starting to soar, tune in to a guided meditation via a podcast, a YouTube video or a meditation app like Headspace or Calm. Remember: deep breaths in, slow breaths out.

Eat Mindfully

Being locked inside your apartment with a fridge and pantry filled to the brim (and no access to the gym) can mean excessive quarantine snacking. Instead of popping yet another bag of popcorn to go along with your next Netflix pick, practice mindful eating next time you sit down for a meal: put away all distractions and eat intentionally, savoring each bite and checking in with your body and seeing how you feel after each mouthful. If you always wanted to build a healthier, more conscious and balanced relationship with food — the time is now.

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LISTEN UP? THIS MATTERS. If you agree, SHARE this on your Instagram story if you vibe with me. . . Let’s get into it. It’s not about: . ❌how much food you can eat.. . ❌how much you can “fit” into your macros.. . ❌how many friends you can say you have.. . ❌how many followers have or what you dang vanity metrics look like.. . It’s about.. . ✅ the quality of the people you surround yourself with — you truly are the SUM of the people around you . ✅ the quality of the foods you put into your body — #eatgoodfeelgood, ya dig?¿ . ✅ the quality relationships you BUILD on social media — remember: no one owes you anything. Take the time to get to know those who support you.

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Exercise

Not being able to go to the gym doesn’t mean you have to ditch exercise altogether. There are many ways to still get your heart rate up even when you’re forced to stay indoors: pick up a jump rope or a hula hoop, or follow one of the many easy, at-home workouts available on YouTube. No equipment required!

Shower or Take a Bath

It’s not just about hygiene: warm showers and baths have the power to relax your body and make you feel more grounded — so take one whenever you feel restless and uneasy. If you are a morning shower person, cold showers might be your jam — acting as a powerful weapon against sluggishness, boosting your mood and strengthening your immune system. Pick your poison!

Give In Without Overindulging

As liquor stores are now deemed ‘essential’ retail, it’s becoming harder than ever to resist stocking up on your favorite booze. Think twice before you proceed to drink away your quarantine boredom — however tempting it might be, there are better ways to soothe feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Enjoy a glass or two with dinner, but make sure you don’t use it as a way of self-medicating during difficult times. Life is all about moderation, after all.

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Just following the rules ?

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Pick Up a Book

Research shows reading can be an incredible tool in battling depression, cutting stress and reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. Books make us feel more calm and positive while also improving our memory and empathy, aiding in sleep readiness and lowering our blood pressure and heart rate. Across the board, there is no better time to read a book — reduce your screentime by reading a few pages before you go to sleep instead of scrolling through your Instagram feed yet another time.

Talk To Your Loved Ones

While it might be harder than usual, it’s more important than ever to be vulnerable and talk about the way you’re feeling with the people you love. Call your friends or spend some quality time (safely) hanging out with your family if you’re lucky enough to be at home. Being understood and accepted is one of the best feelings we can feel in our life, and those human interactions can help us get through the difficult times as individuals and as a global community.

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