Staying Sane Indoors: How to Take Care of Yourself When you Can’t Leave the House
Staying Sane Indoors: How to Take Care of Yourself When you Can’t Leave the House
Many are spending more time inside than ever before due to COVID-19 and the poor air quality brought on by the California wildfires. Staying home with limited social connection, access to nature, and routine can be hard for some as they feel disconnected, restless, and stressed. We have put together a list of four practices that can help increase your overall mental and physical well-being during extended periods of time at home. These practices are intended to increase your sense of purpose, accountability, self-expression, and clarity.
Routine
Establishing a daily routine can help us navigate seasons of change with a sense of purpose. When we are stuck inside it is easy to fall away from routine and ritual, but it’s important to acknowledge the value in establishing and maintaining a routine within this “new normal” to keep us on track and moving forward. When you start your day with intention you are setting yourself up to feel productive and energized. We recommend that you organize your daily routine with your personal, relational, and professional priorities in mind to make sure that you feel a balance in your daily priorities. Think a goal-focused approach to your day to increase the feeling of productivity and to nurture the priorities in your life. Creating an intentional flow for your day will allow for mental clarity and increased mental well-being. We recommend writing your daily priorities in either a journal or planner so that you can have a space to layout and visualize a routine that works for you.
Movement
When we commit to movement every day we are prioritizing the mind-body connection that is crucial for our overall well-being. When we move with intention we invest in our mental and physical strength while increasing the endorphin levels in our brain. Staying home can take a toll on us mentally, making it really important to prioritize movement and self-care: “Exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators” (Harvard Health, 2011). Endorphins are proven to help combat the feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue making it especially important to prioritize movement when stuck indoors. For many, it can be hard to self-motivate when it comes to exercise, so we have linked a few of our favorite online, on-demand workout programs as resources for inspiration and accountability. We’ve found that there is an opportunity for connection and building community through online workout platforms. While online connection doesn’t replace in-person connection, it is a great way to bond with other like-minded individuals when you can’t leave the house.
Creativity
Channeling our creative energy is crucial for our well-being as it allows us to release the need to control and ground down into the connection of the mind, body, and soul. Painting, cooking, journaling, potting herbs, and working with our hands are just a few activities that one can engage in from home to keep you feeling inspired and get the creative juices flowing. We have linked a few of our favorite tools for creative expression below.
For art supplies: Art Essentials
For pots, herbs, and plants: Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center
For cookbooks: Chaucer's Books
For Local Food Inspiration: Fresh Roots Blog
Organization
Staying organized is really important for mental clarity and productivity. There are psychological benefits of keeping your house tidy and clutter-free. If your home is organized and your space is intentional you set a solid foundation for a sense of fulfillment in your home. Marie Kondo is a bestselling author who wrote the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. If you’d like to organize your space her book is a great resource for achieving a sense of mental and spatial clarity: “People around the world have been drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking”(Marie Kondo, 2020). Marie Kondo’s approach is simple and intentional. We highly recommend that you read her book if you’re looking to organize your home and live with intention.
