You may not know that not only am I a personal trainer, I am also a health coach and have a certificate in mindfulness. This allows me to take a holistic approach when coaching clients so we can work on all aspects of happiness, not just fitness. Working at home and/or being in isolation will be new to many people, so I wanted to share my top tips on how to stay sane when isolating. We don’t know how long this is going to last. I encourage you to put good habits in place from the start and make the most of the time. If you are anything like me, I have often said “I wish I had more time to do this or do that.” Now you do. Carpe diem.
- Keep a schedule- This is probably the most important tip I can offer. For me, keeping a schedule ensures I don’t spend all morning in bed and all afternoon on the couch. If I plan to workout at a certain time, check in with family at another, go for a walk after lunch and then clean out my closet in the evening, I will feel like I have accomplished something each day. The schedule doesn’t need to be the same every day. Keep meal times and bedtime as close to your life before isolation as you can as your body is already in a routine.
- Move a little each day- Following your local government’s advice, think about how you can keep your body fit and strong. If possible, go for a walk in the sunshine. Go up and down your stairs for 10 minutes a day (build up to 10 minutes if you need to). Wash your hands if the stairs are communal. March in place during the TV commercials. I read that one man ran a marathon on his balcony during isolation. No need to go to that extreme. Just keep your mobility up. My Quickie Workouts are mix and match or you can visit my YouTube channel for a few workout videos.
- Keep up with good hygiene- While it could be very tempting to wear the same pair of comfy pants all week and not wash your hair, it is important to wash regularly to stay healthy. In addition, actions such as shaving, styling your hair, or wearing a nice top might give you a little morale boost.
- Limit TV time- TV is a way to relax for many people in the evenings after work. It can also suck your entire day away if you let it. My suggestion would be to limit TV time to two hours maximum a day. Use the rest of the day to complete the things you don’t usually have time for (perhaps from this list?). 🙂
- Revisit a favorite hobby- Sewing is something I enjoy doing as a creative outlet but I don’t usually have the time or space. In America, I would probably have a spare table in the basement where I could leave my sewing machine out and work on a project for a week or more at a time. Here in the UK, I need to clear off the kitchen table, dig out the sewing supplies from the cupboard under the stairs, pin my quilts on the floor and then put it all away when I am done. I am hoping during this isolation period to finish a baby quilt for my friend who’s daughter is now three. You might not be in to sewing, but perhaps you played an instrument, enjoyed photography, liked to knit, or enjoying baking. Why not start it up again?
- Do your taxes- I assume tax deadlines will be extended in many places. Freelancers in the UK have from May to January to file taxes. I suggest processing them now to (hopefully) get a much needed refund.
- Complete DIY- Start redecorating the spare bedroom or replace the carpet in the bedroom. You could even just replace the photos you have around the house to many things a bit more cheery. Organizing digital photos is another good use of time.
- Take an online course- It has taken me two and half years to finish the #gifted Future Fit Training nutrition diploma. Normally, I am too busy to make the course a priority (I was doing ok in the beginning but I fell out of routine over the holidays). I am please to say I have been burning through my last module and should finish by April. There are so many online courses out there. You could learn more about something you have always been curious about or study for a new career. My 30 Days to Happy online course starts 1 April and would be an excellent way to learn tools to stay health and happy for many years to come. Register by Friday 27 March to join in!
- Learn a language- There are many (free) apps out there to help you learn a new language. Why not download one in preparation for your next holiday (which hopefully won’t be too long away).
- Download Kindle app and read the classics- Any book published more than 100 years ago has lost its copyright and is available for free. You don’t need a Kindle to download these free books. Just download the Kindle app and get reading. I pay £7.99/month for Kindle Unlimited and can even get magazines for free. My book is also available in the Kindle store for £1.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. Or a paper copy can be posted to you too.*
Click on my Amazon store* to find some ideas for products that can help with the above. If you have any other suggestions to share with my readers about how not to go crazy with cabin fever, please leave a comment below. We are in this together!
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