A little motivation...
NO.1. FEED YOUR BODY RIGHT
We are lucky enough to be able to find enough fresh fruit and vegetables in our stores. Make sure to get as much fresh fruit and vegetables as this ensures optimal health and vitality.
Try Rainbow meals- make sure your plate or plates through the day. Have 1 food group from each colour. This not only ensures you are getting your full range of vitamins and minerals; it also means your meals are packed with antioxidants which support our immunity.
NO.2. MOVE YOUR BODY.
Sitting stationary for long periods of time creates stagnation in your body and mind. Energy levels, concentration and motivation decrease. If your posture is poor, you will notice an increase in aches and tightness in your body. Moving regularly through the day allows the blood to circulate efficiently, increasing energy levels, concentration and alertness. Movement also helps our body flush out toxins which supports your immunity. Set a timer to go off every 55mins and move or stretch your body for 5mins, then have a sip of water before you sit back down at your desk.
No.3. IMRPOVE YOUR SLEEP.
Good quality sleep is important for your physical and mental health. Our modern lifestyles see our homes filled with an abundance of gadgets. Studies show that our modern lifestyle leave us overstimulated, which impacts the quality of our sleep.
Try implementing The Golden hour rule. 1hr before bedtime, switch off all gadgets and spend that hour to calm and relax your body and mind. Have a relaxing bath or shower, read, gently stretch your body, practice some breathing or meditation.
No.4. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ROUTINE.
Change often triggers feelings of stress, fear and anxiety. A tool to help manage these emotions is to establish a routine in your day as quickly as possible. A routine will help you feel safe which in turn helps soothe some of these emotions. Be flexible with your routine when you need to be, but make sure you can identify your “non-negotiables”, just as you would have in your normal pre- isolation day.
No. 5. STAY CONNECTED
Make sure to schedule time every day to connect with a friend/s or family member/s. We need these daily points of connection to help us feel supported and maintain our sense of belonging. Feeling like we belong and are being supported boosts our feel-good hormones (oxytocin and endorphins) We need these hormones in bucket loads right now as they help keep us mentally fit and healthy by reducing our stress hormones.
N0. 6.JOURNALING
There is evidence that shows the benefits journaling has on our sense of wellbeing, depression, moods, anxiety, stress and even a reduction in symptoms of post trauma. Journaling helps you understand as well as express your emotions, feelings, problems, thoughts in a reflective way. In the journaling process you will notice an improved sense of being centered in the moment. A daily practice of journaling for a minimum of 5 minutes a day will have a huge benefit on your emotional wellbeing and mental health
No.7. Take a break!
Connecting with the breath helps to reset your mental state as well as give your body a pause. Make sure stop what you are doing, at least once an hour, and tune into the movement of your breath. Bring your awareness of the breath to the tip of the nose, noticing the different sensations in the nose between the inbreath and outbreath. Keep your attention focused as much as possible on each inbreath and each out breath. This can be done for a few breaths or a few minutes at a time.