Self-quarantine can be challenging, but coping with it isn’t impossible.
In fact, it can be a great opportunity to get creative about how you make use of your space, while developing new skills in self-care that will be beneficial long after a shelter-in-place.
And more importantly, it means that you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your community!
This past year has reminded me of all those times I’ve been injured and forced to stay home as I recover. It is never nice to get injured but it is always important to stay positive and visualize yourself getting fit again. Similarly, make the most of this situation we find ourselves in by finding ways to stay motivated. These are some things that have been working for me.
- Sleep – Sleep is the area I’ve invested most in recently and the change in energy, motivation and focus has increased my output dramatically. It’s the one area of life I’d encourage everyone, no matter how fit or healthy, to learn more about. I used to run on 6-7 hours of sleep a night and while I have always felt my energy levels were fine, I always noticed bags under my eyes. Now that I have been consistently getting 8-9 hours of sleep each night the results have been incredible so far. One of the first things I’d recommend to learn more is to listen to the @bulletproof podcast on the topic, really interesting and insightful stuff.
- Reflect and Prepare – Take time out at the end of each day to reflect on your day and to set goals for the next day. I would encourage you to write down all of this in a journal each day so that you can keep track and look back at various moments in time to monitor your progress and your mental health. In order to reflect on my day I normally write down 3 things that I’m grateful for. This helps me stay positive and centered. In addition to this I always write down my general mood for the day, for example “happy”, “anxious”, “lazy”, “stressed” etc. By tracking your moods over the space of a week/month it gives you an insight into your mind and can help you take time out or to motivate to give extra effort.
- Take online courses – there are many platforms that offer free or very affordable online courses, such as Coursera, Skillshare and Udemy. Many of the free courses on Coursera are led by Ivy League and top European business schools, meaning that the quality and content of the classes are engaging and valuable. One of the courses I took with regards to Social Impact Strategy helped me greatly in formulating the strategy for Play for Goals. There are hundreds of courses to choose from meaning that you can be sure to find one that interests you.
- Brush up on your cooking skills – working long hours in a fast paced city means that eating out is all too easy. Sometimes after a long day at work, the last thing I want to do is prepare a meal, cook then wash up after. But now that we’re stuck at home for the most part, it is the perfect time to learn how to cook healthy, wholesome meals. When things go back to (the new) normal, these new recipes can then become part of a meal prep practice and help save money.
- Exercise and unwind – I never thought I could live without playing football or going to the gym. But these last few months have forced me to alter my routine and to find ways to work out from home or more recently outdoors by myself. YouTube has so many videos on every topic that it is easy to go down the rabbit hole but the channels that I’ve been watching daily are Chris Heria for HIIT and Balanced Studio and Yoga with Adriene for mobility.
Finally, make sure to take some time to unwind by reading that book that’s gathering dust or catching up on that series you’ve been dying to watch.
I hope you’ve found some of these useful. If you have any other tips or tricks for staying motivated and healthy during these times please share in the comments section below! Stay safe everyone!
