Physical and mental health awareness are extremely important during these unusual months we have been, and will continue, facing worldwide. With that in mind, I decided to write a quick Quarantine Survival Guide to hopefully help you in case you feel anxious in any way.
Is going through quarantine tougher than you initially predicted? Let’s put a stop to this right now!
We understand that with the Covid situation, the whole world is going through an uncertain phase and on a daily basis we’re being exposed to a roller coaster of emotions, from positive to negative.
Thoughts that range from our own safety, to the safety of our loved ones. Thoughts of the uncertainty of our jobs and of the financial outcome, to the feeling of having lost our freedom of movement, and towards being confined inside our own homes without a date to go out.
However, being as it may, staying home is necessary and is everyone’s responsibility, even if there is no apparent risk. Cris and I have been inside for 27 days in a row and we don’t plan on going out until we feel safe towards the environment.
Conversely, what we are currently going through also allows us to a much-needed time to disconnect with old viscous habits.
It also gives us a rare opportunity to form healthier ones.
What I mean is that it is a great moment to try to relax and to take care of yourself.
Thinking about this, and on how to try to make everyday life in quarantine lighter, here are is a quarantine survival guide with 10 exercises to do at home to ensure that both your physical and mental health remain intact.
Want to know everything? Here it goes!
Table of Contents
QUARANTINE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
1. Meditate
For many (myself, including) mediation does not seem to be a very easy practice. However, the secret to mediation is having the will and interest to try it!
Have you ever heard of the 1% principle of improvement? Basically, if you want to get better at something, by doing a little bit every day instead of committing to a lot is what makes people commit to new habits.
This means that if you keep pushing mediation off because you don’t ‘’have time’’, now that you can start by only doing 5-10 minutes per day. With time, you’ll naturally increase your commitment to it.
This mindset already makes all the difference!
The infinite benefits of mediation, such as increased concentration, immunity and emotional stability are great motivators to start this exercise at home.
I speak for myself. In 2012, when I was going through uni in Switzerland, I started having serious panic attacks for the first (and hopefully last) time in my life. The feeling of not being able to breathe and having no control over my mind was terrifying.
That is when I started meditating. Never again I allowed myself to go down that road of anxiety. Today, I am a completely new person and, thankfully, in full control of my emotions and thoughts.
There are several apps and videos of guided meditations for those who are starting out! The one that I use is called Insight Timer.
RELATED: ATOMIC HABITS (a FANTASTIC book that talks about the 1% Principle of Improvement – STRONGLY recommended)
RELATED: HOW’S IT LIKE TO STUDY IN THE #1 HOSPITALITY UNI IN THE WORLD
2. STRETCHING
Stretch girl, stretch all day!
Stretching the body is extremely necessary! Whether it is in the morning to “wake up” your body while you still lay in bed, or throughout the day (especially if you stay too long in the same position, using computer, watching television etc.).
Again, I speak from experience. Just in the end of 2019 I started having horrible shoulder pains. When I had some x-rays, we noticed I had tendinitis, which was most probably caused from being too often typing on a laptop (blogger life).
This practice will help you stimulate various regions and promote flexibility, which prevents injury!
This video I found is great to stretch at home, especially if you are not flexible like me.
3. DANCE INTENSELY
What is a better exercise for body and mind than dancing without rules?
Hit play on your selection of favorite songs and explore the most unexpected and fun moves you forgot you had! Free of judgment, the art of expression is a valid skill in various areas of our lives and, of course, guarantee good laughs.
Cris and I are masters of derping around the living room. Our current favorite tune to derp to is ‘’Put the Lime in the Coconut’’ from Reservoir Dogs (we love Tarantino).
4. COUNT YOUR STEPS
It’s not because we’re at home that we need to live these days only moving from the bed to the couch or bathroom.
When we are confined to a small environment, sometimes we need a little reminder to keep our body moving, or even a goal to achieve in mind (such as walking a certain amount of steps per day).
Being on the move ensures the minimum necessary against sedentary lifestyle and therefore our tip is to use your own mobile’s step counter to track how much you’ve been walking these days.
Set a minimum amount of steps to accomplish these days and meet the goal by walking home and even adding a workout together. If you have stairs, you already know where to do the next exercise of the day, right?
5. GIVE FREE PATH TO YOUR CREATIVITY
Being creative is part of being human. Moreover, being exempt from regular obligations makes everything all the more fun.
Free time provides new opportunities to working your mind’s full potential and well-being.
It is worth taking a risk in a new recipe for lunch, the challenge of taking a beautiful photo the way your head imagined (even if in practice and alone is a more difficult job). Create new combinations of clothing with the pieces of your closet. Release your inner Monet and start painting. Write a poem. Why not?
I finally decided to learn Italian with Duolingo.
‘’Io sono la ragazza che mangia la mela’’
See? 😉
6. TRAIN WITH THE HELP OF APPS, VIDEOS, OR INFLUENCERS
No matter your favorite sport, the internet will always help you find some content that allows you to train at home, even without gadgets!
7. READ
What was the last time you read a book? Be honest!
Reading is a great exercise for our mind (and soul). Even in a moment to isolate yourself at home, nothing prevents us from being able to travel through the stories.
A short story, a curious theme or even a book to learn something new are welcome!
Again, I can’t recommend reading Atomic Habits, enough. It is perfect for the ongoing situation.
8. TRY DIY
Before the quarantine, I always told everyone ‘’I am NOT a DIY type of girl’’.
However, I soon ran out of face scrub and I found a recipe for an easy, 3-ingredients coffee face scrub and decided to give it a go. OMG!
It is absolutely amazinggggggg. My skin has improved so much and now I am exfoliating 3x a week, always looking forward to it. It’s crazy how you instantly see the benefits. That is why i had to include it in this quarantine survival guide.
If you want to know the recipe for the 3-ingredients coffee face scrub for acne, read this.
9. CULTIVATE LOVE AND EMPATHY
The quarantine shouldn’t stop you from being kind, quite the contrary.
Even being physically far from people, today the internet has the power to approach us.
It is worth making video call with friends to catch up, call your whole family, send message of support to those who need it and never fail to share and transmit good feelings!
Within your community it is worth thinking: are there any neighbors that need help and who I can actually support? What if it was me?
Helping others is an act of compassion and empathy, and in the face of this delicate moment, it is exactly what we need most.
Most importantly, being kind in these situations requires a bit of pro-activity. Don’t wait for you neighbor to ask for help, offer it beforehand.
PS. Staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus is also one of those attitudes that make all the difference for everyone and for everyone. Do your part #stayhome #safeathome
10. POSITIVE THINKING
Finally, the most recommended exercise for a lifetime: positive thinking!
Practice the mindset of being a positive person.
Our mind has power, and we are able to attract what we think. Believe me! This has thankfully always worked out in my favor.
It is also important to emphasize that positive thinking opens our minds to new ideas and possibilities. It makes us prepared to always search for a solution, without letting our minds affect our mood.
Quarantine is a time of great reflection and attention to the various problems we are facing and thinking positive helps us maintain strength and sanity.
I hope this quarantine survival guide is useful to help you cope with all of this.
Take care of yourself and others <3
In the meanwhile, I am sending you lot’s of love!
Stay safe,
Ana
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