For me, one of the easiest factors that are well within my control is to maintain an active lifestyle. Why? Well for starters the well documented physical benefits; it’s good for your heart, it’s good for your waistline, it helps you sleep better, gives your more energy and can help you fight off infection (yep exercise supports our immune system!). Then there is a positive impact on our mental health which is paramount at a time like this.
Exercise
Exercise doesn’t have to be running marathons or crazy high-intensity sweat sessions but without access to fancy fitness studios, you'll need to have an open mind and be prepared to freestyle a little. A quick and easy workout is too find a hill or set of stairs and run them a dozen times. It’s a guaranteed leg and booty burner not to mention the endorphin hit from being out in fresh air and getting your heart rate up. Remember you're no longer getting any of the incidental exercises that come from your usual commute to work, from client meetings or from weekend brunch dates. Instead, you’re rather housebound for the majority of the day and a case of cabin fever is probably inevitable so take any opportunity you can to get outside, disconnect and clear your head.
What else can you do?
Keep a routine
Yes, working from home might technically mean you can stay in your PJ’s all day but it doesn’t set you up to be in a very good headspace. Set your alarm, have your morning coffee, go for your morning walk, and get dressed for work! This helps you get into a good frame of mind for a working day.
Establish boundaries
A clear separation between workspace and home/downtime space. This can be difficult in small apartments where you may be forced to set your office up on the kitchen table. Can you pack your workstation up each evening? Or cover it with a colourful blanket when you aren’t working so don’t feel like you are constantly in the office? Home still needs to feel like home.
Stay connected
Just because you can't see your friends and family doesn’t mean you can’t ‘see’ them. If you always have dinner with your bestie on Friday why not create a delicious meal in your own home and have a FaceTime dinner? If Monday night touch is the highlight of your week why not kick a footy with a mate instead? These outlets are so important for your sanity!
As humans, we are creatures of habit. As much as we don’t like to admit it most of us crave routine. Your old routine is out for now so it’s time to create a new normal and embrace it as best you can.