“WFH” – Wellness from Home

In overwhelming and stressful times like these, wellness is as important as ever. Even though you can’t go to the gym or get a green smoothie from your favorite juice shop, there are still plenty of ways to stay healthy at home.

1. Play with a pet or look at pictures of animals

If you have a pet, take some time out of your day to play with them. Animals have been found to reduce levels of stress and increase the levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin in humans. During times of social isolation, they can provide companionship and make you feel less lonely.

Don’t have a pet? Spending time watching animal videos or looking at pictures of animals have also been shown to lower stress levels and improve mood.

2. Listen to music

If you’re feeling down, music is a great way to lift your mood. It can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and even provide some pain-relieving benefits. When you’re stressed, turning on some calming music, such as classical or music designed for meditation, will make you’ll feel more relaxed. This is especially helpful if you struggle to fall asleep.

Want to get some exercise too? Blast your music and have a dance party for a healthy combination of movement and listening to music. 

3. Exercise

Even though the gym is closed, there are still plenty of ways to move. Search for a workout video on YouTube, take a run, go for a walk, or see if your local workout studio has any workouts on their website or Instagram live. If you have kids, spend some time playing games with them outside or creating activities that encourage movement.

Exercise is a healthy way to decrease feelings of anxiety or depression and improve thinking and learning skills. 

4. Structure Your Day

Sticking to a routine and creating structure throughout the day will bring back a little normalcy to your life. This means waking up a decent hour, showering, getting dressed (in something other than sweatpants), and getting ready to work or be productive throughout your day. By structuring your day, your body will get used to routine. This will help you wake up, fall asleep, and normalize your circadian rhythm. 

5. Journal

In times like these, we tend to have a lot of runaway thoughts and worries that we can’t control. This is where journaling comes in handy. Spend some time each day writing down your thoughts, feelings, or even just what you did that day. You’ll find that by doing this, you’re able to express how you feel and gain clarity on what may be bothering you. 

Regular journaling can be a stress management tool that helps you manage your thoughts. If you’re new to journaling, start by just writing for five minutes a day until you get used to the process. 

6. Get quality sleep

Sleep is essential for maintaining good health and boosting your immune system. In order to get a good night’s sleep, try sticking to the same sleep schedule and work on going to bed and getting up at the same time. This will keep your body in sync.

It’s also important to reduce blue light before bed because it can suppress melatonin production, the natural hormone that makes you sleepy. Instead of looking at your phone or computer before sleeping, try reading a book or doing something that doesn’t involve a screen. To help make falling asleep even easier, Brilli’s Wind Down bulbs mimic the soft, warm light of sunset that reminds your body it’s time to unwind and prepare for rest. Wind Down bulbs do not project any disruptive blue light, ensuring that the body’s production of the sleep-hormone melatonin isn’t disrupted. 

7. Light better, feel better

Did you know that light can actually play a big role in your mood? Your body has a natural circadian rhythm and when it’s disrupted, it can significantly affect your emotions, mood, energy, and overall health. Light plays a big role in setting your circadian rhythm so it’s important to expose yourself to the right light at the right time.

During the day, you should be enjoying bright, clear light. If you don’t have a well-lit home, Brilli’s Charge Up collection is a great option to mimic daylight. It’s designed to boost your energy and focus, which is ideal if you’re working from home.

At night, Brilli’s Wind Down collection is well-suited for helping you relax. The warm light signals to your body that it’s approaching the evening, and time to relax and prepare for sleep.