We are living in uncertain times when the need of knowing how to take care of yourself is important as never before. Over the last week, governments across the world have introduced stricter restrictions on our activities and movements to combat the spread of coronavirus.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a lockdown on Monday, March 23 that has been described as “one of the most dramatic curbs ever seen in peacetime.” This follows on from similar lockdowns in Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.
We have entered into a collective unknown and it can be hard to process what is happening in such unfamiliar territory and how we can best support ourselves. This leads to feelings of uncertainty and lack of control.
Marisa Peer has been highlighting ways we can look after ourselves during enforced quarantine on her Instagram page. It is not easy or normal to be shut up in the house, but Marisa has shared ways we can how to take care of yourself and protect our physical health and mental wellbeing.
5 of Marisa’s Top Tips on How to Take Care of Yourself During Lockdown
1.Exercise
Knowing how to take care of yourself by staying active is so important for both mind and body. Get yourself into an exercise routine if you can – maybe you do it first thing in the morning, at lunchtime or in the evening. Find a time that works best for you.
It does not have to be super intense – just 10 minutes at a time to keep your body moving and support your immune system.
Marisa recommends setting up an exercise space in your home, even if it is just a small corner. Leave a yoga or Pilates mat out at all times to make it as easy as possible to get active when you can.
You do not need a high-tech home gym either – improvise with household items. Marisa likes to substitute kettlebells with bottled water and dumbells with canned food. You can even do a few bicep curls while sitting on the sofa!
2.Meditate
Knowing how to take care of yourself in terms of your mental wellbeing is something Marisa urges us all to make time for. Meditation is not about assuming the lotus position for hours and clearing all thoughts from your mind. Anyone can do it. Find a quiet space and a comfortable seat where you can spend 5-10 minutes each day focusing on your breathing or positive visualization.
Marisa recommends visualizing your body and immune system as strong, healthy, and actively protecting you. Imagine cells flowing through your body and “think of those cells removing the virus,” Marisa advises.
Also, use positive affirmations – Marisa suggests saying to yourself “my body knows how to find a virus, disable that virus, and make me immune to it,” and “my body has a phenomenal immune system.”
Why does visualization work?
“Your thoughts control your feelings, your feelings control your actions, and your actions control your behavior,” Marisa explains. It is important to talk to yourself and about the situation in positive language. When you start thinking this is the end of the world or that you are going to get sick, your mind starts to believe that it has already happened.
Know that you have a choice. “You can choose how you feel. Know you can take charge of your wellness,” Marisa says. Make maintaining your wellbeing your focus and you will get through this.
Marisa has created a selection of guided meditations to help you feel calm, grounded, and positive. This week, she has created one aimed at helping you boost your immune system and wellbeing.
If you find yourself or your loved ones are particularly struggling, hypnosis audios for relaxation will be a very powerful tool to use. Dedicating time purely to relaxation will help you feel calm and bring your body out of “stress mode” which can have a prolonged impact on your physical health if not dealt with. You can download Marisa Peer’s Perfect Relaxation hypnosis audio today.
3. Sleep
As tempting as it is to stay up watching TV all night, try not to. You are already spending more time indoors, do not limit your exposure to daylight any further by staying up all night and sleeping all day.
Practice good sleep hygiene – do not use your cell phone too close to sleeping or watch TV in bed. Stick to a regular sleep and wake up time.
4. Eat well
When we are bored, stressed or seeking comfort, many of us reach for the sugary snacks and refined carbohydrates. These unhealthy food choices lead us to feel sluggish, unmotivated, and less able to deal with things.
It is super important to learn how to take care of yourself by eating healthy, nourishing foods. Marisa advises eating fresh food as much as you can and plenty of vegetables. Fruit is good too but be mindful of the sugar content. Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water and limit your alcohol consumption.
For more advice on making better food choices see Marisa’s tips on healthy eating.
5. Declutter
Spend some time each day making sure your home is a space you enjoy spending time in. Set yourself a task every day – it can be as small as clearing out a drawer or cupboard or mowing the lawn if the weather is nice.
Know that even if you live alone, you are not alone. We are all going through this together.
Remember, you can also take part in Marisa Peer’s 21-Day Healthy Living Challenge, which helps to give you all the techniques and tools you need to thrive and stay healthy throughout this strange period in time.
You will receive daily training, as well as an assortment of meditations and audios, that will help you learn how to live well, and make healthier choices for you mind and body. Click the banner below to find out more and secure your place.
