There is no doubt that the way we live has been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and our lifestyle will likely be affected for a while yet. Here are a few tips to help maintain a positive state of mental and physical wellbeing in 2020:
Soak Up Some Vitamin D
Have you been feeling down about spending more time at home? There may be a scientific explanation for that. Being trapped indoors, especially during winter, means that we are getting less exposure to sunlight. This lack of sunlight can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), more colloquially known as ‘the winter blues’. SAD has symptoms that are somewhat similar to depression, such as lacking energy and feelings of hopelessness.
While more studies on the topic is needed, latest research demonstrates that various body systems are affected by exposure to sunlight, and that moderate levels of sunlight hitting your skin helps to reverse the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Research has also shown that people have higher serotonin levels on bright sunny days than on cloudy days. Serotonin is a chemical produced by our nerve cells – higher levels of serotonin are linked to improved mood and mental health, while lower levels of serotonin correlate to anxiety and depression.
So make sure you’re getting adequate sunlight. Head out into your garden or onto your balcony and relax with a cup of tea and a chat with a friend, or even go for a walk around the block, and soak in that sunshine.
Keep Active
Sporting is one of many community activities that have been limited since the rise of COVID-19. Less community sport means less social interaction and less exercise, which also means less endorphins – commonly referred to as the ‘feel-good’ hormones in our bodies. There are plenty of ways to get some indoor exercise into your routine if you can’t get out and about as much – such as yoga, martial arts as well as non-equipment workouts like planks and star jumps. Need some exercise and someone to talk to? Our Heroes have a wide range of skill sets to choose from, so you can find a Hero with experience in fitness.
Stay Social
Just because we need to follow social distancing, doesn’t mean we need to be socially disconnected. Make sure you keep in touch with friends and family, even if just a phone call or video call to offset not going out as much.
At Home Care Heroes, we believe that no-one deserves to feel lonely or struggle with social isolation caused by COVID-19. If you are looking for support, or a friendly face to talk to, become a Member with Home Care Heroes. We specialise in providing companionship services to those who need support, with local Heroes who have similar interests. With an affordable rate of $40 per hour including weekends and public holidays, Home Care Heroes is an NDIS-approved provider with over seventy 5-star ratings on Google reviews.
We even have video bookings available for those who have compromised immune systems or would be more comfortable interacting over video call.
More Information
If you would like to know more about how a video booking works, visit https://landing.homecareheroes.com.au/video-booking/
Here are 5 actions Home Care Heroes is taking to combat COVID-19 (Coronavirus): https://landing.homecareheroes.com.au/actions-to-combat-coronavirus-covid19/
For more information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the symptoms, how it spreads and what can help to prevent the spread, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
If you're feeling unwell and have symptoms of COVID-19 call your GP. They will be able to tell you whether to attend in person. You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
Reporting exposure: If you or someone you have been in contact with has tested positive for COVID-19, contact Home Care Heroes immediately by calling (02) 6181 1906 or emailing hello@homecareheroes.com.au