Staying Healthy at Home
Staying Healthy at Home
Depending on where you live, or the precautions your family is taking, some of us have been experiencing sheltering at home for quite some time. Health isn’t always our first priority though, is it? If we’re honest, there just seem to be a never-ending list of things that come first, and health keeps getting pushed down the list. What’s more, many of us don’t stop to consider our mental health is just as important.
Finding Little Ways to Stay Active
I know we all have a million things to do each day. Some of us are raising grandkids and kids, helping them through online schooling, the cooking, the cleaning, and some of us are balancing work (from home or not) on top of it all. We’re worrying about bills, jobs, the ever-changing state of the world. I hear you, and I’m just as guilty of neglecting my health. But it’s important to find even the smallest ways to stay active each day. And quite honestly, it doesn’t need to be time consuming either. Start out by incorporating extra movement into your daily chores:
- Get in some steps while you do the dishes, laundry, or ironing. Turn on the tv or music as you do your household tasks. A little dancing or side to side steps and leg lifts keep you active and multitasking. I certainly get giggles from my kids, but it’s better than no extra movement at all!
- Park further away at the store. If you are still food shopping or running errands (I’m addicted to online food shopping to keep our high-risk home as safe as possible), park further out in the lot and get in the extra steps to the store or post office.
- Play I Spy as you walk through the neighborhood or park. Get the kids, grandkids, and pets out for a walk. Playing I Spy passes the time and is a fun way to make exercise fun for the family.
- A mini home makeover. Whether you’re purging clutter or wanting a new look, little things around the home are still keeping you active. Move a few pieces of furniture, paint the walls, or re-organize your cupboards or pantry. Don’t take on too much at once, but get in some good bending, lifting, and stretching as your redecorate!
Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
Your mental well-being is a crucial part of your health, so don’t forget to take some “me time.” We’ve been cooped up, away from friends and family, and even co-workers. Some of us have extra stress coming at us from various directions, all at once. Stress can bring on weight gain, depression, and a long list of other mental, behavioral, and physical health issues. So, do yourself a huge favor, and take care of YOU! Trust me, you’ll be better equipped to care for your family when you are at your best.
- Read a book or listen to an audio book while doing household tasks
- Spend some time in the yard. Teach the kids and grandkids how to garden.
- Music is proven to be beneficial for lifting the spirits! Sing with the kids, relax to your favorite songs, grab some earbuds while you vacuum, or enjoy a much-earned bath and spa music.
- Yoga and meditation aren’t for everyone, but give it a try. You may be surprised. It’s relaxing and good for your body, mind, and soul. And no one expects you to be a pro. Find a quiet spot in the house or yard and clear your mind for a bit.
- Do you have a hobby? Hobbies bring you joy so boost those endorphins and find time in your week to get back to what you love. Or find a new hobby to try out. You can always browse through the NanHood Pinterest page for ideas and find how-to’s throughout the platform!
Take Baby Steps
Staying healthy and active doesn’t have to be a time-consuming commitment, like training for a marathon. But, it IS vital. Take baby steps to incorporating little things into your daily routines, whether you choose to multi-task or carve out some alone time.
We’d love to know what you’re doing to stay healthy during this time. Share your ideas and perhaps it will spark an idea for others too!
~ Lisa
