At the current time, we are all spending a lot of extra time at home. Whilst these measures are necessary, it’s important to keep our bodies and minds healthy during these unprecedented times. So, we have put together a list of ways to keep mentally and physically active whilst you are staying at home or self-isolating.

Sports

Keeping Active is always positive, it’s good not only for your physical but also mental health and welling being. The natural endorphins generated through exercise give us a feeling of positivity and energy. This gives us a better ability to be prepared and face up to whatever is thrown in front of us. Check out the Martlesham Leisure Instagram, where they are doing daily workouts to keep your active. If you are in need of some new clothes, equipment or shoes to get started, head over to our sports pages for everything you need.

Gardening

Being at home surrounded by comfy sofas and beds, its very tempting to cosy up and watch films all day. As fun as that is, don’t forget to go outside. We are having beautiful spring weather at the moment, and the fresh air will do you good. Plus, doing that bit of gardening you’ve been putting off for months will give you a sense of achievement Whilst keeping you mentally and physically active. You could also bring some wildlife into your garden with a bee block or bird table to brighten the outside even more.

Reading

This is the perfect time to catch up on all the books you’ve been meaning to read. Getting lost in a book will help take your mind off feeling negative or anxious. Focusing on the written word has been proven to reduce stress and help you relax whilst providing mental stimulation and brain exercise. If reading isn’t your thing, how about downloading a crossword or sudokuapp

Board games

 If you are staying at home with family members, why not have fun together and make the most of this time by playing a board game? Playing a trivia or strategy game with the children is a fun way of helping them to learn whilst they are not at school and will help you exercise your brain as well!

Body care

Now is the time for a bit of self-care. Light a candle and have a long bath, trim your beard, put a face mask on or paint your nails. It will keep you busy whilst making you feel good. Take the time to relax and look after yourself. We will soon be back chasing our tails again!

Mindfulness

A lot of people talk about mindfulness but what actually is it? It means to be aware of our thoughts and feelings moment by moment. You can do this through yoga or meditation, but also, whilst doing other things, you can think about how you are responding to situations. There are books and apps that can help with mindfulness.

Understandably, a lot of us are feeling concerned and anxious about the current situation and COVID-19 is impacting all our lives in different ways. Our Marketing and Social Media Assistant, Amy Butcher, has put together the following advice to help keep yourself calm during these times.

Arm yourself with the facts

There is a lot of information about the virus out there and false reports can fuel anxiety. Stay on top of what’s happening by using the Government website, it is the most up-to-date and reliable source of information. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Don’t overexpose yourself to the news

Staying informed can make you feel in control, but the constant news reports could also become overwhelming. Try to get your information from reputable websites. If you do want to read or watch the news, try to limit the amount of time you spend and stick to regular intervals in the days. If you are finding it hard not to think about the news, try to plan some activities that you enjoy and will take your mind off things, whether that’s going for a walk, chatting to a friend, watching a film or reading a book.

Do take a break from social media if you feel like the updates are getting too much. Remember you are in control of what you see on your feed; take breaks when you do feel like things are getting too much or mute and unfollow accounts that make you feel more worried.

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling

Whilst it is normal to feel worried, if you are starting to feel overwhelmed, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and speak to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend or family member. It is really encouraging how much community support for each other we are seeing at the moment. You can also read more on the Suffolk Mind website.

Find things that help you feel calm

Like at any other time, it’s important that you are not only looking after your physical health, but your mental health too. Think about some activities that can help when you are feeling overwhelmed, like breathing techniques, writing down how you feel, playing music or talking to a friend. For some ideas, have a look at how you can make a self-soothe box, or other coping techniques.

As you may already know, in the light of Government advice, we have made the tough decision to close all our stores for the safety of our staff and customers. We would like to take this time to thank all our customers for their support in response to this, and for the lovely messages of encouragement and kind wishes we have received. We are looking forward to seeing you all in person once this is all over. In the meantime, you can still shop with us online here and take advantage of 30% off in our Super Spring Sale as well as find inspiration via our social media channels.

We wish you all well at this time. Please stay safe and look after each other.

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