These days, the only thing that helps us keep a schedule in our lives may be the 11 am press conference. It almost seems like a routine, getting out of bed to turn on the news and receiving the news we dread the post, that there will yet again be another lockdown extension. However, it is important to prioritize both your mental and physical health, with these COVID-19 Health Habits. Despite all the disasters that you may be experiencing, just know that you are not alone. The virus spreads quickly and without us even noticing, so we are all doing our part by staying home and preventing the transmission even further. Below are some key tips that you should keep in mind to make it through lockdown in one happy, healthy piece.
Keep in Contact with Friends and Family
Isolation can be hard, especially if it is keeping you away from the ones you love most and are so used to seeing on a daily basis. However, a plus side of being in a lockdown within a generation that is so technologically advanced is that we can basically communicate with anyone. And, anywhere they are in the world, just check the timezones! Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat allow you to share pictures, updates, and messages with those you miss and want to have a conversation with.
Thus, this will leave you feeling more connected and less lonely after a good catch-up session with your friend. Furthermore, video calling applications such as Zoom or Facetime let you bring your friends into your surroundings. You can also play online games with friends and family while their face is on the side of your screen, to share laughs and a fun night even when far apart. Netflix parties are also a good way to catch up with a friend by watching a movie you both like.
Go for Walks Around the Neighbourhood
At this point in time, it stands that residents are able to exercise in their LGAs, or in a 10km radius from the home. Walking is a great way for you to get out of the house for a while, whilst getting some fresh air. Especially for those who may have online school or lectures during the day. Going on an evening walk is important to destress and forget about the daily stressors of life for a while. Or, an equally good alternative is going for a morning walk, simply to go run some errands or purchase a coffee to help you kick start your day.
A recent study showed that walking improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood, and sleep quality and can also reduce negative affect. It was found that physically active have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and moving around acts as a useful treatment for depression.
Find a New Skill or Hobby
With all this time, you could potentially learn a new skill or hobby to keep yourself entertained. Most of the common ones include:
- Learning a new instrument
- Exploring new cooking recipes; there are so many recipes online for you to filter through, and decide on one that you want to try. Maybe you can surprise your loved ones with a tasty treat!
- Learning a new language; Maybe it was your dream to visit another country, but you weren’t sure of how to communicate with the locals. Use this time to learn some of their words, so that once the travel ban is lifted, you will be good to go!
- Gardening; always wanted to try planting that tomato tree, or trimming the hedges? Now you can do so, without worrying about not having time to maintain or keep everything in its prime condition.
All these are new skills that you can employ in your daily lives, even after lockdown ends. A bonus is that you can even impress a few people along the way! Learning these new skills will take up a fair amount of time so that you won’t be left feeling bored and unmotivated.
Seek Help if You Need it
For some, staying isolated and away from what they love most may be difficult. This can give rise to a load of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety just to name a few. However, it is important to remember that there are people there for you. Online support services such as:
- Headspace
- Kids Helpline
- Beyond Blue
provide free and confidential sessions for you to talk about all the unpleasant or unfamiliar sensations that the COVID-19 lockdown may be inducing within you. These services are primarily for younger people. Some online support services for older people include:
- Healthfulchat
- Better Help
- Lifeline
Choices to Make From Here
After reading through those options for some COVID-19 health habits, see if any of them work for you, to implement into your daily timetable. There are a few options to choose from, each with its own great benefits and advantages. Always remember, everyone is in this together, and you will get through it happy and healthy and most importantly COVID-free.