COVID-19 is certainly not going away any time soon and we’ve all had to durably adapt our lives so as to limit the transmission of the virus as much as possible. This has not been easy on anyone, and the Hong Kong quarantine has left many people feeling lonely and restless.
In this article, we’ll look at how you can stay healthy during your Hong Kong quarantine. We’re not just talking about physical health here, but also mental health, which is equally as important.
#1: Cook your own meals
When you eat at a restaurant or order take-out, you don’t really know what’s in your food. Most restaurants use exorbitant quantities of salt, butter and other such ingredients that are damaging to your physical health.
You can easily find online yummy and healthy recipes, so you can exactly track what you’re putting in your body to ensure that you eat healthily and therefore stay healthy. And what better time than quarantine to pick up a new and useful skill such as cooking! They say cooking is like travelling, so while in quarantine it’s more than ever the perfect hobby! Even if you’ve never cooked a meal before, you’ll find that once you get into the swing of it, it becomes pretty easy. You can even adapt online recipes to include your favorite foods and ingredients. You’ll be surprised by the results when you get to it, all type of food can be replicated at home even the one you wouldn’t think could, like Cantonese recipes!
#2: Start a quarantine workout program
There’s no need to head to a gym to get your workout done, you can do it right from home! One option is to invest in home gym equipment such as a treadmill or a bicycle machine. But if you don’t have the funds or space, all you really need is an exercise mat.
You can practice yoga, pilates, squats, pushups and other such exercises with just an exercise mat. You can also get some weights or an exercise bar you can fix to the top of your doorway for pull-ups to amp up your exercise routine a little, but this isn’t an absolute necessity. There are plenty of free classes on YouTube to follow, or you can sign up for online classes too. You will also find the best home-gym Apps and Equipment in Hong Kong here.
#3: Meditate daily
Meditation is one of the best methods to relieve stress and improve your overall mood. Being cooped up at home most of the time is certainly going to weigh on your mind, and as going out isn’t an option, meditation will help you come to terms with the fact that this virus isn’t going away any time soon and that you will have to adapt to this new way of living.
All you need to meditate is a dimly lit room where you’ll be free of distractions. Then, sit on a chair or cross-legged on the ground – ensure you’re comfortable before you begin. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Count your breaths. At first, it will be difficult to solely focus on your breathing so start small and work your way up. Set a timer on your phone for two minutes to begin with. Once you’re comfortable with meditating for this time period, try five minutes, and then ten, and then twenty.
Practice every day and within just one week you’ll notice the positive effects it is having on your mind. While you may not be too jazzed about having to meditate at first, soon enough, you’ll look forward to these sessions where you can escape reality for a bit and just breathe. We gathered accessible relaxation techniques here to help you reach mindfulness.
#4: Organize Zoom trivia nights with your friends and family
No man is an island – and while quarantine means that you can’t physically meet your friends and family, it doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with them. Trivia nights via Zoom are an excellent way to bond and stay social while still following the Hong Kong quarantine rules. Crack open a few beers or a bottle of wine, turn your webcam on, and have fun with your friends!
#5: Maintain a good sleep routine
One of the side effects of the quarantine is that your life suddenly has less structure and you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to slip into the bad habit of staying up late and sleeping in (or continuing to wake up early and not getting sufficient sleep!). It’s crucial to maintain a good sleep schedule, as sleep is a vital aspect of your physical and mental health.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep on time, there are a few things you can do. Turn off all electronic devices an hour before bedtime, as the blue light from these devices stimulate your brain and make it harder to feel sleepy. Use your bed only to sleep – this will condition your mind to associate it with bedtime. You can also play soothing music to help you fall asleep quicker.
These five tips are certain to help you stay healthy in challenging times such as these. In addition, if you are lucky enough to have a private outdoor space as part of your home, be it a balcony or a rooftop, don’t be afraid to overuse it. The Vitamin D you get from the sun is extremely important when you’re locked indoors all day long. Remember, your physical and mental health is extremely important, and while it may be harder to stay healthy during quarantine, it’s certainly not impossible!