Finding ways to stay healthy during lockdown can be tricky, between not being able to leave the house and being isolated from our friends, family and the fun activities that we usually do to keep ourselves happy.
However, there are some things you can do to keep yourself healthier and happier at the moment, until lockdowns are a thing of the past.
Humans are social creatures. Even if you consider yourself an introvert, it’s essential to engage with your social circle on a daily basis. Video calls are better, so that you can visually connect with those close to you and engage in a normal interaction. It also offers peace of mind that your loved ones are coping okay, and vice versa.
Try to set some time aside each day to speak to someone on the phone for 30 minutes, or perhaps call a handful of people and make an evening of it.
When something comes along and disturbs the equilibrium, our routine is generally the first thing to go out the window. Without a consistent routine, we tend to experience mood swings and heightened anxiety levels.
Especially if you’re working from home in a lockdown, it can be very difficult to differentiate between work and downtime. It also gets harder to get yourself out of bed at a specific time, because you’re not getting ready for work the way you normally would.
Other habits start to slide and discipline slips further and further… it’s completely understandable. However, cracking the whip on yourself to maintain a consistent routine is hugely beneficial for your mental well-being, as it gives you a sense of purpose and helps you clearly distinguish when it’s time to relax and unwind.
Social media can be great for a lot of things (like staying in touch with loved ones during lockdowns, for example) but it can also be detrimental to our mental health when used excessively.
Especially if you have friends on social media who are not currently in a lockdown, spending too much time on social media is going to enhance your feelings of seclusion. This ultimately increases your likelihood of spiralling into depression, which is exacerbated by being home alone.
Try to avoid spending too much time on social media, and perhaps even consider putting a time limit cap on your daily usage.
News can also be a source of anxiety and depression, and while it’s important to stay informed on what’s happening in the world, be sure to get your news from a reliable source and give yourself a break if it’s stirring up feelings of stress or anxiety.
Your body needs physical exercise, and there’s plenty of at-home exercises you can utilise to stay in shape and release endorphins for improved mental well-being. Engaging in virtual gym classes with other members can also satisfy your social craving at the same time.
As for diet, be sure to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables throughout lockdown. All the major supermarkets do home delivery now, so you can have fresh groceries delivered to your door on a regular ongoing basis.
Having said that, the occasional UberEats order doesn’t hurt… it’s important to treat yourself from time to time, and cut yourself some slack during this difficult time. If you feel the need to have a couch potato night and order a pizza, don’t deprive yourself of these little joys!
When it comes to alleviating stress and anxiety, acupuncture is widely considered to be an effective method for restoring our body’s natural flow of energy (qi) and the physical benefits of this process spill over into our mental and emotional well-being as well.
The idea behind acupuncture treatments is to target specific areas of our body’s muscular build-up to enhance blood circulation, oxygenate the tissue, flush out unwanted chemicals like cortisol, and release endorphins in the brain.
Not only does this process assist with mood support, but it also eases digestive issues, lowers high blood pressure, alleviates stiffness/soreness and helps us get a better night’s sleep.
Once lockdown is over, treat yourself to a rejuvenating and revitalising acupuncture treatment at our tranquil Essendon clinic. We provide a range of holistic natural health services, including acupuncture, osteopathy, myotherapy, massage, naturopathy and more.
Book an appointment online today.
B.C.M (Hons), C.Clin.Prac (China), C.Toyohari. Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Integrative Natural Medicine Practitioner.
Robert is a passionate and warm practitioner who has an extensive knowledge of integrative and functional natural medicine. He is down to earth and has an interest in organic foods, gardening and sustainable living. With over a decade of experience, he is renowned for being very thorough by both fellow practitioners and patients alike.
