Everyone is out of their normal routines, and it’s easy to feel inundated with extra stress and an incredible amount of information at this time. How should you ensure your mental health during this season?

1. Trade social media/news time for active time

If you feel like you are spending too much time on social media, news websites or news channels, start setting a timer or using a time-limiting application to reduce it. With the time that you cut, consider how much you can devote to a new exercise routine or mini-workout at home! 

Consider this: 15 extra minutes of working out is much more productive for your mind and body than 15 minutes of scrolling through social media. Or, you could even work out while listening to the news if you would like to — just be aware of the negativity. 

2. Wear comfortable clothes and consider compression socks

There’s no reason not to take some time to relax if you’re able to! But make sure when creating the new routines, how much time you’re going to be sitting while working from home on reports and folding socks, or even just how much extra time you’ll be standing if you’re going to be doing a lot more cooking and dishes than normal.

Consider wearing compression socks during this time to help promote positive blood flow while you do the necessities. Your movements within your home may be slightly restrictive, but you can protect your health in every way possible.

3. Take one day at a time and seize the day

Don’t worry if you have a bad day — that doesn’t have to turn into a bad week or a bad month. Decide to do something today that will be the start or continuation of a good habit, even if you have to adapt, modify, and get creative to make it happen. We are all out of our normal routines, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have success and make progress toward our goals. Take advantage of the time you have today and just focus on positive thinking.

4. Create new habits

Make goals, a plan of action, and challenge yourself to fit in active periods throughout the day. Taking the time to have discipline consistently will ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed when pressures of life start taking up your time once again.

 

5. Conduct strength training at home

Click here to check out our related article on easy exercises you can do from home. Strength training has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health overall. It builds confidence and releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel good just as many workouts also do. You can use weights, resistance bands or free bodyweight exercises for the same effects!

6. Vary your activities for increased mental stimulation

When creating your plans, vary your activities as much as possible. You don’t want to get burnt out in a week from doing the same thing every day! Focus on working out different areas of the body, on cardio and weights, etc.

7. Self-massage the stress away

After workouts or just as you wind down for the day, consider using a massage roller or massage balls such as Physix Gear offers. Not only can self-massage work out knots in muscles and help increase circulation, but also self-massage decreases muscle tension and helps you to relax.