Have you ever heard the old adage that good health starts at home? Well as it turns out, there may be some serious truth to that statement.
In today’s environment, business casual has taken on a whole new meaning. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our society, many of us have become all too familiar with staying at home.
No matter what your specific situation, working from home has become the new normal for many of us. As such, it presents a unique set of challenges for mental and physical health.
At TMS Center of Lehigh Valley, mental wellness means a lot to us. That’s why we’re here to tell you about these eight simple ways you can boost your mental wellness while snuck at home.
Get Plenty of Sleep
As almost any article that focuses on mental wellness will tell you: sleep is essential. After a good night’s rest, it has been scientifically proven that you are more alert, active, and less prone to stress.
You should always aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night, as this is the ideal amount of sleep required to properly balance rest and productivity. There have even been scientific studies that prove sleep can also improve your memory!
Eat a Healthy Diet
Just like sleep, adhering to a well-balanced and healthy diet is often featured as one of the most important components to an overall mentally and physically healthy lifestyle.
Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are not only a natural defense against stress, but they can also lower the risk of disorders like dementia.
Try starting off your day with a nutritious breakfast of whole grain cereals and fruits, then continue eating balanced meals throughout the day.
Stay as Active as Possible
It can be especially tough to find ways to stay active while stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Start by setting aside 20-30 minutes a day to move your body at home. You can complete a YouTube workout video, take an afternoon walk or bike ride, or anything else that gets your heart pumping.
When people are physically active, it not only improves physical health and body image, but it also increases mental wellness by naturally releasing dopamine into your system. Dopamine is known to improve mood, anxiety, and stress.
Work on Stress Management
Unfortunately, everyone gets stressed at some point. However, how you cope with stress ultimately determines how well you can handle it.
Coping skills, like deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation are two simple, yet clinically-based approaches that allow you to relax your mind and let go of your stress.
In addition, there are also many everyday activities that can act as stress relievers as well. This includes nature walks, painting, writing, and spending time with pets and loved ones. Once you find the best approach for you, stick to it! It will only help from there.
Set Aside Time to Unplug
It’s the technological age, everyone loves their electronics. Unfortunately though, it’s been shown time and time again that too much screen time isn’t exactly a healthy way to live.
Aside from its ability to keep us largely inactive, too much technology access can also be stressful on the mind. Constant access to other people’s lives often forces us to compare and become envious, even though in reality no one is perfect.
Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, feelings of inadequacy, and overall poor mental health. That’s why it’s important to set up aside time each day to unplug, relax, and unwind without electronics.
Set Work-From-Home Boundaries
In the modern climate, it can be all too easy for work life and personal life to blend into the same thing. This is why it is essential to set boundaries with your boss and co-workers.
Try setting a schedule that determines when you will be working, and when you will not, then adhere to it as closely as possible. When you are not working, make sure to leave your at-home workspace and disconnect as if you were leaving the office.
Work is also a major contributing stress factor for many of us. As such, it is important not to let work interfere with your personal time. The less stress you experience on a daily basis, the easier it is to keep your mind healthy and strong.
Avoid Isolation and Interact With Others
Humans are naturally social beings. The recent self-isolation and quarantine that many of us have decided to adhere to recently is important, but it’s also important to stay connected with others in any way you can.
Everyone needs support from others from time to time, so try to keep your personal relationships going as often as you can, even if you can’t be physically with someone.
Surround yourself with positive influences like best friends, cherished loved ones, and office besties, and keep in contact with those people in any safe way you can.
Use the Time For Other Worthwhile Activities
Believe it or not, being stuck at home can be a good thing, as it gives you more time to start involving yourself with activities you might normally be too busy for, but have always wanted to do.
Try using your new-found excess of free time to learn a new skill like cooking, juggling, or playing a musical instrument. Alternatively, you can also use the time for more practical objectives like cleaning your house or organizing your shelves.
As it turns out, learning new things and decluttering is actually a fantastic way to keep your thoughts in order and prevent your head from spinning. Also, who knows? By the end of this unprecedented time, you may even have something awesome to show for it.
At TMS Center of Lehigh Valley, we care about your mental health and wellness. To learn more about what we do and how we may be able to help you manage stress, depression, and other issues, feel free to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!