In times of uncertainty and in the absence of our normal routines with the current worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, it can take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing.
Being aware of changes and noticing your thoughts and feelings within yourself is one of the best steps forward to ensure you and your family stay happy, healthy and emotionally well.
Food choices, exercise, sun exposure and connection with others, are simple areas of life to be aware of that will support your families emotional healthy and wellbeing.
Research shows the lack of human and social connection has been associated with an increase risk of depression, anxiety, alcohol use and unhealthy diets. Although at present we cannot all socialise as we would normally, human connection is essential for our overall wellbeing.
Fortunately, online platforms such as FaceTime have become even more popular as tools to stay in touch. Just a few minutes seeing your friends and family on the screen can have huge benefits by filling that missing connection time with people.
Daily exercise is important for keeping your body and mind fit and healthy. This can be walking the dog, running, riding your bike or even spending time in the garden, and any movement that increases your heart rate is great for your body.
Daily sun exposure also supports and maintains good health, as well as keeping our bones and muscles strong. This occurs naturally from Vitamin D from the sun which forms in the skin when it is exposed to the UV from sunlight. In addition safe sun exposure to our eyes being outside in the morning sun has the additional benefit of supporting our body to produce melatonin at night, which has a positive affect on sleep.
Vitamin D can also be obtained through some foods such as mushrooms, tofu, fortified soya and almond milks for plant based diets.
Aim to eat fresh, preferably organic fruits and vegetables every day, cooking your own meals with fresh ingredients over store produced ready made meals. This will also help you know what your food contains, and enjoying food you have created for yourself and your family also has a positive effect on your wellbeing. Cooking mindfully, with awareness of what you are creating can actually be quite calming too.
Have fun creating new recipes, go back to basics and bake your own bread, make soups from scratch and enjoy the time and space of being at home. Often we are time poor so making the time you may have at home in isolation could be a great step change.
