The Coronavirus covid-19 has hit the UK like a tsunami. Constantly following the news up to the minute, the last few weeks has turned everyone’s world upside down. It was just three ago when I was happily still eating out at restaurants and enjoyed being outdoors. Now all of the hospitality and non-essential shops have closed, a lockdown has been placed within the UK with tighter restrictions going outside.
Working from home
Here’s how I’m staying sane indoors. I’m lucky enough to work at a company that allows me to work from home. Being stuck inside can get depressing, working 7.5 hours a day.
Maintain a routine
Get into a habit with a daily routine, set your alarm clock to go off the same time every morning for better sleeping habits. Now with the extra time not spent commuting I can make myself a great breakfast, set some time to meditate every morning.
Set up a dedicated home office
I have set up a desk with my iMac, in the house that is distraction-free and lets me hold virtual meetings and calls over my headset. Open the window to let fresh air in and make sure you take plenty of breaks away from the screen and hydrate. I’m never away from my trusty Hydroflask water bottle.
Favourite apps
During my breaks, depending on my mood I’ll be playing brain training games or taking the time mediating for a breather.
Peak
I purchased the lifetime subscription to Peak; Peak is a brain training game that personalised your workouts daily. Since incorporating these workouts, I’ve found my memory, learning new vocabulary and focus improved greatly.
Insight Timer
Insight Timer is one of my top apps for meditating you can access thousands of teachers worldwide, for guided meditation, mantras, music and a silent timer.
I have set up a desk with my iMac, in the house that is distraction-free
BeFocused Pro
Do you find yourself being distracted and your mind simply drifting off to another space when you try work? Using the Pomodoro Technique, you focus on one set task for 25 minutes once it’s over you take a 5-minute break. It seamlessly syncs my iPhone, iPad, apple watch and MacBook together. Bear in mind the OS app is an additional price on top.
Staying active during self-isolation with free and cheap fitness
Gyms and studios have been made to close during these troubled times, and not commuting to and from work. I don’t get to the 10,000-step count in.
Nike training app
I use to be one of dedicated members when Nike held free workouts in-store and partnerships with the studio. This app has great easy to follow workouts and if you have an apple watch it syncs and countdown the moves with you.
7 min workout app
For those that moan they don’t have time to work out this one is for you. If you are one that is glued to your phone, on scrolling endlessly on social, watching youtube videos. You have 7 minutes to spare for a workout. It’s just 12 exercises to get through, it’s gruelling, you be out of breath but get a buzz after you finish.
Les Mills
Body combat is one of my favourite group exercise class at my gym. Incorporating martial arts base moves in a workout. For a limited time, Les Mills is allowing access to free workout videos.
At your beat – at your gaff
Dancing has always been one of my favourite form of exercise, you have so much fun moving and don’t realise how much calories you burn in a session. If you have attended a At Your Beat dance class, you know there are great dance teachers that teach step by step choreography. At Your Gaff was created for students who want to learn moves in the comfort in their own living room. Check out the 5 classes for £20 offer.
Boxx
For one of my work benefits I have access to Perkbox, currently you can get a whole year’s free membership to Boxx. To an online on-demand fitness and app to a numerous boxing, cardio, HIIT, strength and stretch classes.
image credits:
Photo by Content Pixie, The 5th, on Unsplash