Hi there folks, it’s the time of week where I bring you the Self Isolation Weekly and outline some activities to keep us all going during this difficult time.
As you are probably all aware, the COVID-19 situation is increasing in severity and our PM Boris Johnson announced on Monday that we were all instructed to stay at home, and to only leave for essentials such as food or medicine, or for an exercise activity. This will undoubtedly cause stress and, let’s face it, boredom for most.
In times like this it is vital to keep our bodies and minds healthy and this week I’m going to provide 5 tips and activities you can try at home in order to maintain a healthy and positive routine during these unprecedented times. Without further ado, let’s begin!
5 Ways to Keep your Body and Mind Healthy during Lockdown!
130 minute outside activity
There are strict rules to which we must adhere to in terms of being outside, however, in groups of no larger than two people, we are permitted to partake in outside activities. It has been scientifically proven that just 30 Minutes of nature and being outside can reduce your risk of developing depression and heart disease, and has a huge impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.
In true British style, now that we are in a state of lockdown, the sun has come out! There is no reason that we cannot enjoy our exercise outside. This could be in the form of a jog, a bicycle ride or even just walking through your local park and taking in your surroundings. It has been quite eye-opening how much beauty we overlook in our day to day lives, the demand we face each day sometimes means we can miss just how beautiful this city is. The photo above was taken in Chelmsley Wood, and walking through the forest area and into the park is a tranquil and peaceful 30-minute stroll.
Try and get outside during this time, but please adhere to the rules that have been set. Groups no larger than 2 people (of the same household) and please maintain the social distancing measurement of six feet.
2Learn a language
Many of us will have said the words ‘I’m going to learn a new language’ but never actually got round to doing so. With this new unexpected time on our hands, there’s never been a better time to undertake a new challenge, and why not broaden your scope by learning a new language!
There are a plethora of language apps available to download but, with over 300 millions users worldwide, DuoLingo has been rated the best FREE app for learning a foreign language. Available to download on the app store, DuoLingo offers simple, bitesized daily tasks that ensure you learn your chosen language efficiently whilst having fun! It offers ways to personalise and adapt to your learning style, provides you with immediate grading and gives rewards for consistent use.
It’s completely up to you how much time you wish to spend each day learning your language, and you will see rapid improvement as you go along.
Set yourself a new challenge and get learning!
3Crafts with household items
With schools being out I’m sure there are a few parents pulling their hair out due to bored kids! There are plenty of things that you can make, create, decorate and craft with items we usually chuck away. Get as creative as you can and have fun with the entire family. Crafts provides kids with a way to express themselves, get sociable, and improve their coordination and critical thinking skills.
But crafts aren’t just for the little ones, it’s just as important for adults to have the chance to access their inner artist. The process of taking something we consider rubbish and transforming it into something fun and colourful will really help keep your mind active and flourishing.
Probably the most talked-about household item in recent years is, of course, TOILET ROLL. With the influx of toilet roll purchasing, there’s probably thousands of paper tubes roaming about, why not put them to use! Below is just one example of the many tutorials available for you to check out:
4YouTube tutorials
Speaking of YouTube tutorials, there are so many ways to keep fit and healthy and they’re so incredibly easy to access!
If you’re used to going to the gym often, or even if you just want to keep as active as possible, there are always videos and tutorials available with pretty much any activity you could think of. Why not try:
- Yoga
- Legs, Bums and Tums
- 5-minute high-intensity bursts
- Tips for a healthy diet
You can be incredibly specific when searching for your ideal tutorial. There will be different levels such as beginner or advanced, so whatever your fitness status and interests be assured you’ll find something perfect for you.
YouTube also has a kids platform that has a range of child-friendly exercise videos that will keep them entertained AND active.
5Keep a diary
The current pandemic is like nothing we have ever seen before. The situation will undoubtedly cause stress and panic for many people, and our mental health is just as important as our physical fitness.
With that in mind, keeping a diary is a simple yet effective activity that doesn’t require a lot of utensils, just a pen and some paper. It’s important to keep a semblance of routine when our day to day lives have changed so rapidly. By monitoring and recording your day, you can keep a track of any thoughts or feelings you may have had, any recipes you have tried, what activities you’ve enjoyed, anything you can think of can go into your diary.
Think of it as your own personal space. You can write as little or as much as you want, decorate it, note down any tasks you wish to do in the day, anything! This is a great way to keep your mind active and express yourself in whichever way you see fit.
Who knows, one day you may even show it to future children or grandchildren.
That’s all for this week! Thank you for reading and as always, keep safe, follow the guidelines and look forward to the day it’s announced that we are on the other side of the pandemic!
