How to Remain Healthy at Home

With COVID-19 hitting the country and world hard, it’s important to play our part in social distancing. It can be tough to be stuck in your home for days on end, and while it may seem like the perfect time to binge watch TV all day, it’s important to do the best you can to keep your mind and body healthy.

Stick to a Routine

Perhaps one of the most important things to remember when being home all the time is that sticking to a routine will help you bring some meaning to your day and be more productive. If your normal routine is to go to the gym, shower, eat breakfast, go to work, go home and cook dinner, watch some TV, and go to bed, then stick to that. Wake up, go to your home gym, shower, eat, begin your work from home day, and continue with your evening routine.

Sticking to a routine will help you feel more normal and reduce any stress and anxiety that you may have.

Eat Well

Fueling your body well is essential to staying healthy at a time like this. As tempting as it is to eat a whole bag of Doritos in one sitting, you should be choosing whole foods that nourish your body.

Opt for a breakfast that will fuel you and get you ready for the day, such as oatmeal with banana and peanut butter. This will also keep you full until lunch. Be sure you’re choosing lean proteins, fresh (or frozen) fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Now is a great time to learn how to cook, so take advantage of YouTube and other recipe websites to start creating healthy meals.

Also try to avoid snacking when possible. Now that it’s easy to take a quick walk to the kitchen, you’ll be more tempted to snack throughout the day. If you choose to snack, choose foods such as baby carrots, cheese sticks, or butter-free popcorn.

Exercise

Since you’re not doing your usual commute and walking around an office, chances are you’re moving less. It’s important to continue your exercise routine if you have one, or begin one if you don’t.

Try going for a run or finding a workout on YouTube. There are plenty of equipment-free workout videos, as well as yoga, pilates, and kickboxing options. If you have a favorite workout instructor or studio, take a look at their Instagram or website to see if they’re running any home workouts on their Instagram live.

Getting fresh air is critical to avoid going stir crazy and is a great way to get your movement in. Even if you’re not big on exercising, take a break and go on an outdoor walk in order to stimulate your immune system, reduce stress, and get moving.

Set Up a Productive Work Environment

Many of us are now working from home, which can be a challenge. It’s easy to get distracted and not be as focused or productive during the day.

To help make working from home easier, set up a home office if possible. Get a desk or table and set it up away from the TV or couch where you can be easily distracted. If possible, find a quiet area of the house in order to reduce noise. If you’re in a low-lit area, make sure you’re also choosing bright lights that help energize you, such as Brilli’s Charge Up bulbs.

We also cannot emphasize this enough: put on something other than sweatpants! Getting dressed like you would normally will help you feel like you’re at the office and ready to work, not like you just woke up from a nap.

Regulate Your Lighting

Regulating your circadian rhythm is always important, but because you’re not in your normal routine, you may be feeling more “off” than usual. Try your best to be exposed to the right light at the right time so that your circadian rhythm is regulated and your body feels awake during the day and ready for bed at night.

One way to do this is to regulate your lighting throughout the day. In the morning and throughout the day, stick to brighter light. You can situate yourself in a room that has more natural light or use lightbulbs that simulate this daytime light, such as Brilli’s Charge Up collection. These bulbs make you feel more energized and alert for a more productive day. 

As the day goes on, you’ll want to opt for more warm, dim light to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Brilli’s Wind Down bulbs mimic this warm light to help you feel calm, relaxed, and ready for bed.

Get Enough Sleep

In times like these, it can be tempting to stay up later than normal since you don’t have to go into an office. Stress is also at an all-time high which may make it harder to sleep. But high quality sleep is essential for a strong immune system and high productivity. 

Try and stick to your usual bedtime and wake up time in order to keep your body in sync. If you’re struggling to fall or stay asleep, try downloading a meditation app and doing short five minute meditations before bed, especially if you’re feeling anxious. You can also try reading a book. Be sure to avoid blue light directly before bed, as well as sugar and alcohol.