Tips and Tricks to Stay Busy at Home

Ideas to fill the time you spend indoors #stayhome #quarantine #activities #yoga #mindfulness #indooractivities #anxiety #busyathome #covid19

Sticking to your daily routine is easier than you think - even if you’re staying in the comfort of home. How can you fill your time in the most productive way and beneficial to your mental health?

Sudden life changes create anxiety and stress, especially during a pandemic. It is out of one's control like a natural disaster and this creates an element of the "unknown". This always instills fear in people. We are told we should take preventative measures and stay positive. How does one stay positive without many options of activities?

---

Take this time to catch up on the tasks that you were holding off. These are five ways to fill your day with different positive activities:

1. Exercise for 30 minutes! Try that workout that you haven't had time for. Whether it is Yoga or strength training, many gyms and trainers are offering online workout classes. Peloton is offering 90 day free membership on their workout app. Orange Theory is also offering home workouts.

2. Build your career! Many options for online networking events are available to grow your professional network. Organizations such as Small Business Administration (SBA) can also guide you through planning, building, managing, and expanding your business.

3. Learn to cook or bake something new. Pinterest has many amazing simple recipes to make delicious food. Some favorites are penne with pink vodka sauce or cinnamon rolls.

4. Go out for a walk. An outdoor walk can improve one's mood. Breathing the fresh air, seeing different people, and moving in nature helps the mind and body. It helps reduce tensions, stress, and anxiety. It also rejuvenates the soul. Outdoor walks are energy boosters. Anytime you feel tired, fatigued, or even lazy, try taking a 10-minute walk.

5. Declutter. This will help build self-efficacy. Decluttering involves physical activity which will also require movement, even if that is slow. It will also open space and time to get important work and task done. Decluttering is helpful for the psyche. When one is organizing, you may also be organizing and clean out a lot of emotional residue within.

---

It is important that during this difficult time, a daily routine is maintained. Waking up early, getting a nice outdoor walk or workout in, and having a healthy breakfast are great ways to start your day during the quarantine. Whether you are working from home or not currently working, it is important to create a steady schedule. This maintains the sense of purpose one usually has throughout the week. It also creates positivity during a stressful time and a state of oblivion. In other words, use this time for self-care, catching up on important tasks, and decluttering both externally and internally.

10 ways to destress after a long work week

Why is it important to practice self- care? Why should we distress on our days off?

This can sound so simple, but in fact is very important for us to be able to function. Stress is one of the biggest health concerns, but also disregarded the most. According to WebMD, stress can worsen or increase the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.

In many cases, people feel guilty for simply relaxing. Hence the name, “lazy day”. Relaxing helps recover one’s mind and body. One can fall back more on their work if they do not destress and practice self-care. The following are 10 ways one can practice self-care and rest.

1. Leave work at work. Try finishing work in your job environment, even if that means you need to stay a little longer during the week. Use your day off to have a “me-day” and/or to spend with your loved ones.

2. Focus on your mind and body. Pay attention to what your body needs from you. Treat it with care. Eat healthy and exercise. Your mind and body need love too.

3. Talk to a professional. Your issues matter. They do not have to be physiological issues to see a professional. Talking to a therapist will help process your emotional needs.

4. Practice deep breathing. If you cannot get to a yoga class, you can practice at home. Find a quiet place, lay on a comfortable matt or surface. Take deep breaths in and slowly exhale as you count to three. Continue this for at least five minutes.

5. Book a massage. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage. It is a great method to relieve tensions you hold in your body when feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

6. Listen to music. Listen to the songs that help release your happy hormones.

7. Spend time with your loved ones. Hang out with friends and family who help uplift your spirits. It will help get your mind off the daily work stress.

8. Make a schedule to start your week. Right down your daily responsibilities for the next work week. Any spontaneous activities can be written down as they come. For the meantime, it helps to not over worry or stress when you know what to expect throughout your work week.

9. Practice gratitude. It is important to be mindful of the positives in life to keep you motivated.

10. Don’t be hard on yourself. Easier said than done, but it is important to show yourself appreciation. If you do not find a place of appreciation for yourself, no one will know to do so. Value and admire your hard work.

#stress #work #selfcare #therapy #destress #relax