6 ways to invest in your health during self-isolation

It is world health day and in light of the current situation around COVID-19, I’d say that health is at the forefront of pretty much everyone’s mind. Most of my family are medical professionals and I am so proud to see the NHS getting the recognition it deserves. Recent events show just how much we need to see continued investment in healthcare across the board because it is one of those things that has what economists would call a ‘multiplier effect’. This is where an initial input investment has greater output impact than the initial investment. Investing in healthcare can contribute to economic growth, but more importantly it helps to improve the mental, social and physical wellbeing of all members of society.

A coldsore popped up on my face this week (which normally happens when I’m stressed or get exposed to some sort of illness/cold) and I’ve taken it as a sign that I need to rest a lot more. Since the lockdown I’ve carried on working from home, but have found myself overlapping the boundaries of work and home life. I would say it is easy to get caught up in the trap of trying to be your best and most productive self whilst we are stuck in quarantine, but realistically we are going through a crisis. You are allowed to feel concern and uncertainty at times– especially when there are people losing jobs and falling ill. At the same time, a wise man once said “[We have not been] given a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I pray that we will see an improvement in the situation over the next few months and that we will all go back to the new world that emerges after this with greater appreciation for things and people we may have taken for granted in the past.

Whilst we are self-isolating I have been thinking of the best ways to invest in my health and the health of those around me. This is a list of things that I have found help me:

1. Listen to your body – I have seen a lot of posts saying something along the lines of ‘If you don’t have a new business idea/fitter body etc by the time quarantine is done, you lack discipline’. Honestly, if you feel like exercising then go for it. If you want to eat an entire Easter egg and spend 3 hours watching Ozark (what a show) then you should do that too. Now is not the time to be beating yourself up about not achieving certain unrealistic ideals. On the days that you do feel productive, grab the opportunity with both hands and when you need to rest – you should do exactly that. I have a to do list on my desk and I’ll have a look at it each day to see what things I actually need to get done. I find that my most productive hours are from midnight to 4am (strange, I know). For some people this time of self-isolation may be the period of rest they needed and after it we will see the fruits of that resting period. Coming out with good mental health and more love for the people around you is admirable in itself. Not creating something new now doesn’t mean that you won’t do so in future!
2. Unfollow social media accounts that add no value to you – If every time you see a particular page post it makes you feel some type of way or you realise that they only share negative things, then it’s time to hit that unfollow button. We are what we consume, not just in terms of food but what we read and see. Follow pages that uplift, motivate, inspire and entertain you in positive ways.
3. Sleep – Now is the time to catch up on all those hours of sleep you have missed. Waking up bleary eyed at 5am to hop onto the District line is no longer my portion. Have a nap during the day if you feel tired. If you’re up until 3am one night, have a lie in the following day. Now is a time to really understand your body clock and see what works best for you.
4. Take vitamins/supplements – Sometimes we don’t realise that we are lacking certain nutrients and over time it can result in a weakened immune system. I obviously don’t need to remind you all how important it is to have a strong immune system right now. Find some multivitamins that you can take regularly. It sounds strange but I always take Pregnacare multivitamins – they have all the nutrients I need as a woman in particular and come in a gummy form which I prefer.
5. Pray/Meditate – Download the Word for Today app and you get a daily passage that is easy to digest and gives advice that is applicable to everyday life. The Headspace app (recommended by my friend Mariam) is also quite useful for meditation and help with sleeping. When you pray you cast all your fears and worries onto a God who is bigger than any issue! Take the time to be still away from all the noise of the news and digital distractions.
6. Review your goals – There may be some things that you wanted to achieve that you now have a new perspective on. You may also realise that the time you have now gives you the ability to do things you thought you never could. Have a think about what you want to achieve over the next few months/years and decide whether certain things are still important to you. If they are then you can keep working towards them. For example at the start of the year I set a goal of completing an aquathlon. I know I definitely still want to do it so I try and keep my general fitness up by doing some sort of movement every day – going for a walk counts as well! It also makes me feel much better to get out into the fresh air and sunshine.

Please share any other methods/things that have helped you and I look forward to seeing you all when we are free again!

Note: This post was inspired by the Whatsapp group chat I have with my friends – reach out to people and talk, it helps! Right now we need physical distance, not social distance.