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When you’re stuck inside all day, every day, it can be difficult to feel cheerful. Even the happiest of people have a breaking point, after all. If you feel like you’ve reached the maximum amount of indoor time you can possibly endure, we’ve compiled some easy ways to boost your mood and feel a little better during these uncertain times. Keep reading to learn more about small ways you can improve your mental and physical health.
Get outside and exercise
It’s more important than ever to get outside and get active. But during the pandemic, that’s sometimes easier said than done. Make sure you don a mask and wear it properly. Try to avoid when people are most likely to be out and about. Schedule your runs for very early in the morning or later in the evening when most people are in inside. When you’re running, give others at least 6 feet of room – more, if possible.
In addition, if you’ve been relying on the same running shoes for a while and you notice a lot of wear and tear on them, it might be time to treat yourself to a new pair. Consider picking up a pair of women’s or men’s running shoes on sale at a local footwear store. Plenty of places are selling running shoes at a deep discount.
Get into cooking
This is the time to whip out all of those recipes you’ve been saving over the years. If you’re not much of a chef, focus on making simple meals with just a few ingredients. If you can, consider planning out meals in advance so you can limit the amount of trips you take to the grocery store. Don’t know where to start? Here are a few easy meals you may want to consider:
- Pesto pasta with steamed broccoli
- Beef tacos (or tempeh tacos for a vegetarian version)
- Make-your-own-pizza night
And if you’re tired of cooking for yourself or your family, you can also opt to support local restaurants. Many delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats are offering free delivery.
Try yoga
If you find yourself scrolling mindlessly through social media and constantly reading news stories, it can have a negative effect on your mental health. To avoid digital overload, consider taking breaks from screens during the day to focus on your mental health.
Yoga is an incredibly easy way to carve out some time for yourself. Grab yourself a yoga mat and look for beginner yoga videos on YouTube, there are plenty of free ways to practice.
Make art
Even if you don’t think you’re very creative or artistically talented, making art for the sake of just getting out of your comfort zone is a great mood booster. And, there are plenty of easy art and craft ideas that you can find on Pinterest. Try out acrylic pouring if you need a place to start.
All you need is pouring paints, plastic cups, stirring sticks, a plastic tarp for drips, and an assortment of pre-primed canvases. Then, simply pour your paints, tilt the canvas until all sides are covered, and enjoy your masterpiece.
Invest in greenery
Plants are a serious mood booster. Consider using the extra time you have right now to start a garden. You can easily order seeds online to start your own little nursery in your yard or balcony. Aim for easy-to-grow plant varieties at first so you don’t get immediately discouraged.
You can also get non-edible plants for aesthetic purposes. Plenty of plants do well inside. Consider adding a freckle-face plant or a fern into your surroundings. But make sure to do some research to find out the best ways to care for them such as their light and water needs.
Conclusion: Take care of yourself
Although the pandemic is causing lots of issues across the country, it’s important to focus on what you can control. Do what you can to limit your exposure, such as staying home as much as possible. But don’t forget to take care of both your physical and mental self. Make sure to get safe exercise and take breaks from reading the news. With these tips, you can make it through quarantine feeling both happier and healthier.
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