Taking care of our mental wellbeing is an important part of daily life. We should be conscious of how things affect us and make sure we’re as happy and healthy as possible – especially when faced with stressful or difficult situations.
Spending extended periods of time stuck at home can be detrimental to your mental health if you don’t actively think about how to look after yourself at home, but it’s also crucial to remember that it’s okay to have bad days. It’s only natural that sometimes things will get to you, meaning you feel more worried, frustrated or down than usual.
So, here are a few broad areas you can take into consideration to ensure your mental health is in as positive a place as it can be while you’re at home.
Keep active
There’ll be days where the call of the sofa is too tempting to resist, but it’s important to still get up and get moving a few times a day. Make the most of going outside for a short stroll, with a change of scenery sometimes being what you need to get your headspace reset.
Getting a burst of regular exercise where you can has the potential to boost self-esteem, concentration and help with your general wellbeing. Whether that’s a long walk around the block or a 10-minute home workout, do something that works for you when you feel you can.
Eat healthy
Looking after your body goes beyond exercise, with your diet playing a role in your overall physical health and how you feel. It can be easy to fall into bad habits while at home, and while it’s good to treat yourself to something nice every now and then, it’s best to avoid excess.
Cooking healthier meals for yourself is not only an activity which can boost your mood, but they’re usually better for you than just eating ready meals. Food does taste better if you have made it yourself after all!
Plan practically
Making lists doesn’t work for everyone, but arranging your thoughts and jobs can help take the load off of your brain to remember everything. This way you can keep track of what you still need to do and complete things at your own pace when you’re able to.
If there are things you’re going to need, like regular medicine or access to support, making an action plan to make sure you can get these while at home can also be a big help. You should be able to contact your GP via phone and ask whether it’s possible to get a repeat prescription to a pharmacy nearby.
Stay connected
Keeping up with your support network can be tough at times, especially if you’re feeling socially tired. Maintaining those positive relationships is important for your mental wellbeing though, so when you’re in the right headspace it can be good to just check in with a message or call.
Video calls can be a big help too when you’re staying at home, as they can feel like they’re a more intimate form of communication – it is face-to-face to be fair! Keeping up with your nearest and dearest can have beneficial effects on your mental wellbeing, as well as helping you feeling more like your usual self.
Take a break
Make sure you’re not overexerting yourself and taking on more than you can handle, as this can do more harm to your mental health. Giving yourself a little time to yourself a few times throughout the day to centre yourself can keep you on top of your mental state, as well as giving you time to think about whether things are getting too much.
Asking for help and support if things are getting too much is perfectly normal and part of having a good support network. If you can, ask someone you trust if they can lend a hand by dropping over some essentials or simply can have a chat over the phone so you can get your thoughts in order.
Have fun
Negative feelings can cause us to find less enjoyment from our usual hobbies or pastimes, but it’s important to keep these up when you’re in the mood for them as they’re normally part of what makes you feel like your typical self.
Trying out new hobbies can also lift your mood, especially if it’s one you’ve wanted to try for a while but struggled to find the time. Give yourself the gift of a few hours to try out something new, or some time to just do the things you enjoy.
While you can’t always go to a restaurant, you can try and bring that energy to your home by decking out your living room and dressing up fancy, or you can take part in an online gig or music festival instead of going to one in person.