Keeping busy at home
Try our ideas for keeping yourself busy - from knitting and gardening to poetry and puzzles.
Over the coming weeks and months all of us will be spending a lot more time at home and apart from our family and friends. This will inevitably mean big changes to our normal activities and routines. As a result, looking after our mental and physical health is going to be very important.
Staying in touch with family and friends is very important. Making time for regular phone calls and staying in touch online if possible are great ways to keep in contact when we can’t meet face to face.
If you have a mobile phone or computer, now is the ideal time to set up Skype or video calling so you can still see each other. Consider signing up to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram if you haven’t already – it can be a great way to stay in touch and find out what’s happening in your local community.
Think about ways to get creative. Could some of your usual social activities move online or to phone calls? Can you ‘meet up’ with friends or family by arranging a video chat over a coffee or a meal?
How to use different systems for video calling, with instructions and demos on video.
Try to keep up with your normal hobbies and activities as far as possible. Whether you’re a keen knitter, a gardening enthusiast or crossword champion, make sure you have plenty of supplies to keep you going. You can order what you need online or ask someone to pick up what you need.
If you're interested in giving gardening a go, have a look at our tips from a gardening expert
Explore options for online alternatives, such as digital subscriptions for papers and magazines, e-books or streaming services for music and films. There are also lots of ways to play group games online as well.
It’s time to get creative. If you belong to clubs that can no longer meet face to face, can they still go ahead by phone or online? Now may also be a good time to set yourself a goal, learn a new skill, or take on a group challenge.
If you are looking for new things to do while spending more time at home, why not help researchers increase society’s understanding of the effects of coronavirus?
Staying active is hugely important – as the saying goes, ‘use it or lose it’, and this is particularly important around physical activity.
Although we are being asked to stay inside again, we're all still able to go out as much as we want for exercise. This can be by yourself, with people that you live with, or one person from another household. Going outside and being with nature can help to lift your spirits as well as keeping you active.
But if you want or need to stay at home, the good news is there is plenty you can do in the house and garden (weather permitting, of course). Whether you’re a regular gym bunny or just getting started, advice and inspiration is available via our website or the We Are Undefeatable website today.
You could also have a look at our advice for moving more each day
It’s quite likely there will be times we all feel anxious or low in the days and weeks ahead. This is completely normal, so we’ve put together some top tips:
Public Health England have more advice on looking after your mental wellbeing at home
If you start to feel overwhelmed, some simple breathing exercises can help. Sit or lie down in a way that’s comfortable for you. Take a deep breath in and hold it, at the same time raising and tightening your shoulders, and clenching your fists. Count slowly to 5 as you breathe out. Do this several times.
It's perfectly natural to feel like that in the face of all the news headlines. Here are some things you can doing to feel less worried during this confusing time.
It’s easy to neglect our physical health when we are worried or distracted, so keep an eye on how you’re doing and follow these simple tips:
It can seem like coronavirus is the only issue which matters, but your health needs are just as important as before.
The NHS is urging people to get medical help if they are worried about their health. They are not too busy to provide support and they are putting in place extra precautions to help keep everyone accessing services safe. If you think you need help with your physical or mental health, you shouldn’t delay asking.
Your GP is still available to support you if you feel unwell, although this may take place over the phone rather than face-to-face.
If you need urgent medical help, whether or not you have coronavirus symptoms, you should contact 111 or call 999 in an emergency.
Having nutritious and varied food is important for good health and well-being throughout life. During this difficult time, making sure we are eating and drinking enough is essential for our health and wellbeing. If you're worried that you have recently gone off food or unintentionally lost weight, it may be a good idea to weigh yourself regularly so you can see if you are losing weight.
Having nutritious and varied food is important for good health and well-being throughout life. During this difficult time, making sure we are eating and drinking enough is essential for our health and wellbeing. If you're worried that you have recently gone off food or unintentionally lost weight, it may be a good idea to weigh yourself regularly so you can see if you are losing weight.
Lots of us like to spend time helping others and find that it improves our mood and gives us a sense of purpose.
If you're used to volunteering regularly you might be missing that feeling of being useful. Or if you're managing well yourself, you might be thinking of those who aren't coping as well.
The good news is there are plenty of ways you can pitch in to help others without leaving the house.
Try our ideas for keeping yourself busy - from knitting and gardening to poetry and puzzles.
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