Are you taking care of number one?
To help you make the most of your time at home and improve your mood overall, we’ve put together a few top tips.
Whether you’re part of a big family or live alone, you spend a great deal of time at home. So it’s important that your place of living has a positive effect on your mental and physical health – especially if you’re a stay-at-home parent or work remotely.
Shake up your daily routine
Some routines are necessary to get things done and stay healthy. But other routines that aren’t essential, can start to feel monotonous and boring. Some people believe this could be a factor affecting mental health.
Small shake-ups to your routine can make a huge difference to your mood and general outlook on life. These could include things like starting a new hobby or reducing screen time before bed.
Keep active
Regular exercise releases chemicals in your brain. These chemicals are called dopamine and oxytocin and help to improve your mood. Physical exercise also boosts your self-esteem, increases concentration and helps you to sleep better. And you don’t have to follow a rigorous gym programme to reap these benefits – in fact you can exercise at home while watching your favourite TV show.
Make some changes at home
Your surroundings can influence the way you feel. So if one of your rooms need a new coat of paint, now’s the time to do it. Not only will it give that room a new lease of life, but it will also make a big difference to your mood and wellbeing.
If you’re not quite ready to decorate, there are other simpler ways to brighten up your home. One of them is decluttering. Material possessions have a way of accumulating over the years, so if your living spaces feel overcrowded, make time to do a clear out. By only keeping what you need and use most, you’ll improve the way you live and feel.
Make your home a little greener
By adding plants and flowers to your home, you’ll help lower the levels of carbon dioxide in the air. This improves breathing and brings you closer to nature without having to walk to the nearest park.
Take time out for yourself
In a world that is always on and busy, it’s easy to forget to make time for yourself. These days most people juggle busy work and home lives and struggle to tick everything off their to-do list. But by not taking time out, you’re compromising your health and wellbeing.
Switch off before bedtime
According to recent studies, one in three adults suffer from insomnia. If you’re also struggling to sleep, try these basic techniques to relax your brain. By doing these exercises regularly, you’ll enjoy a better quality sleep and reduce stress.
Change your diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of vegetables is not only good for your physical wellbeing but can improve how you feel too.
If your diet consists of a lot of processed foods, ready meals, takeaways and fast food, you may feel sluggish and low at the best of times. So next time you shop, try to make some healthy swaps and when it comes to cooking, try to get the family involved. Cooking and eating together help strengthen bonds and cultivate good habits at the same time.
Work from home the right way
Working from home can easily blur the lines between home and the office. Try to create a dedicated space to use only for working from home. If that’s not possible, consider working from the library or a coffee shop.
Set realistic goals
In today’s busy world, it’s easy to plan to do too much, too soon. For example, if you’ve put decorating off for years, start by painting one wall each weekend. These small wins will soon add up.
The trick is to break up big goals into smaller, more realistic steps. That way, you’ll be able to achieve much more in a shorter space of time.
Ask for help
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or low for a long period of time, reach out to friends, family and your GP. Asking for and getting the right help, can make a big difference to how you feel.
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, the NHS have a range of helplines and support groups that can offer expert help and advice.