There’s no doubt that we’re living in highly stressful times. Dealing with the physical, psychological, emotional and economic effects of an unprecedented global pandemic probably wasn’t on anyone’s to-do list at the beginning of the year, but we’ve all been collectively trying to find our feet again and establish a ‘new normal’ in the wake of the devastating progression of the virus.
And while our initial focus was clearly just on survival, now that things have settled down a bit, many of us have been struggling to adjust. Life in lockdown is a big change in routine for a lot of us, as our ingrained habits and expectations have all had to realign practically overnight. One thing has become clear though – and that’s simply that we need to use this time to our advantage. Keeping our physical and mental health in balance throughout this challenge is extremely important. If we use the time to examine our habits and improve how we live, then the year won’t feel like such a write-off, and we may just develop a new way of living that is better for us even after quarantine restrictions have lifted.
So, what areas of your life can you improve to make sure that lockdown benefits you?
Overhaul Your Exercise
For the first few weeks of lockdown conditions, many of us treated it like an extended snow day – staying in pyjamas all day, bingeing on television and podcasts and not moving very much. But that way of life is not only unsustainable, it’s also hugely damaging to our health, so letting go of the fitness myths and making exercise a priority needs to be top of the agenda. Getting out into the fresh air for a walk or a run when permitted is ideal, as it allows the body to get Vitamin D from sunlight. Emerging studies are showing that patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 have a dramatically higher chance of being seriously ill or even dying when they have a Vitamin D deficiency, so its very important for your immune system to get outside. Following a program like Couch to 5k can make running achievable for even the most unfit and can help you to kickstart a healthier lifestyle. But if its raining outside or you live in a crowded area and you can’t always exercise outside, there are plenty of at-home exercise routines to discover to suit every taste. From a simple at-home yoga routine you can practice with just a mat or a rolled towel, to more strenuous HIIT workouts streamed on YouTube, there’s plenty of choice. And with lots of gyms and personal trainers making their workout plans free to try at the moment, you can shop around and find something that works for you. No matter what it is, aim for 30 minutes of movement a day.
Focus On Sleep Hygiene
The quality and duration of our sleep affects every single area of our lives, from our mood and relationships with others, to our ability to focus and problem-solve at work, the foods we choose to eat and the amount of exercise we do. Behavioral scientists often refer to it as a ‘keystone habit’ because of its fundamental importance in almost every area of our lives. And yet there is a sleeplessness epidemic at the moment, with more of us than ever experiencing problems falling asleep or insomnia due to unhealthy lifestyles, anxiety and bad sleeping practices. So it could be worth focusing on improving your sleep. Simple changes can make a big difference here. If you can, invest in a good quality mattress and high thread count cotton bedlinen that helps to ensure a comfortable rest. Make sure the room that you sleep in is slightly cool and kept dark with lined curtains or blackout blinds. Ban any blue-light emitting electronic devices from the room, and try to wind down by logging out of social media and email a couple of hours before you want to sleep. If you have trouble winding down, try some traditional remedies such as chamomile tea, mindfulness techniques, a hot bath, aromatherapy diffusers or even a lavender pillow spray to help you drift off.
Overhaul Your Diet
The old saying ‘you are what you eat’ has never been truer than in lockdown conditions, when many of us are neglecting nutrition and comfort eating or bingeing on sugary, salty snacks. Try to be conscious of what you’re consuming – aim to ‘eat a rainbow’ of different colored fruits and vegetables each day in order to give your body access to the broadest range of nutrients. Make some simple swaps in your diet, like white carbs for wholemeal and find some simple healthy recipes that you can enjoy cooking at home with the extra time not having a commute brings you back – or batch cook one day a week and freeze in portions so you can grab something quickly that isn’t bad for your body.
Adopt A Flawless Skincare Routine
Our skin is often the first place that the stresses and strains show up – in the form of breakouts, dullness or even fine lines springing up. Luckily, being in quarantine gives you the extra time to overhaul your skincare routine. It all starts with research – discovering exactly what skin type you have and the products recommended to care for it, finding out what foods to avoid for hormonal acne, and looking into products that help to delay the signs of ageing. Once you understand what your skin needs, you can create a custom skincare routine. This can be technical without being expensive, as brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List have now sprung up offering high-quality, single ingredient formulas that can be layered into a comprehensive regimen. Start by double cleansing, using first an oil formula to break down dirt, make-up and grease, followed by a gentle cleansing face wash. Then reintroduce hydration using light serums and creams containing wonder ingredients like hyaluronic acid that keep skin plumped. Exfoliate once a week using a gentle glycolic or lactic acid toner to keep skin glowing, and if you’re starting to notice the signs of aging introduce a retinol night cream. One thing everybody should also do is wear a high factor SPF facial cream on a daily basis, even when you’re indoors most of the day, as UV rays can be amplified by glass.
