Good health is super important at the moment. Too tired? Your immune system is lowered. Not eating right? Double whammy. Of course, it's hard to be motivated to do anything much right now but the fact is that we have to keep up good habits to protect ourselves as much as possible.
Here's what these amazing women are doing to stay healthy at home.
Elle Halliwell, journalist and presenter
MORNINGS
I’m going for a brisk walk really early in the morning, drinking herbal antiviral teas containing elderflower, Manuka honey, peppermint, linden, marshmallow and yarrow.
SUPPLEMENTS
I’m drinking a lot of tepid water and a large glass of water daily containing an alkalising powder called Basica, Bioceuticals Poten-C powder and Vida Glow collagen.
I'm also taking Bioceuticals ArmaForce (and the Junior version for Tor), Biostime probiotic powder, Designs by Health Omegavail TH1000, Tru Niagen (NAD precursor) plus homemade elderberry syrup.
Haha it’s a lot! But it’s important to get advice on what’s right for you.
And I'm putting 6 cloves of garlic in everything I eat!
MENTAL HEALTH
I'm reaching out to each of my family members daily to check in, staying in touch with friends and trying to meditate twice a day. I’m also giving myself personal reiki sessions.
I'M WATCHING
I’m watching the news a lot, but with a bored 3 year old in the house there’s also a lot of Disney classics. We’ve watched Aladdin about 8 times this week!
I'M LISTENING TO
Audiobooks which have nothing to do with real life! Right now I’m listening to Pretty Girls by Karen Slaughter - crime novels aren’t normally my thing but so far it’s a nice distraction from Covid-19 updates.
I’m also in my third year of studying Naturopathy so that’s taking up a lot of my time right now.
STAY SANE TIPS
Try tuning in to your senses, that is, what you can see, hear, feel and smell and repeat this a few times if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Anxiety often presents when we start thinking of future scenarios so trying to stay focused on the present moment can be profoundly helpful.
Our apartment block has all joined a WhatsApp group, so it’s been really nice to connect with our neighbours and make sure everyone’s ok.
Also playing Heads Up and trivia with friends on the House Party app has given us all a lot of light relief and good laughs.
It’s a really scary time for everyone, so just connecting with loved ones is so important and a good reminder that we’re all in this together.
Follow Elle @ellehalliwell
Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style, The Iconic
WORKOUT
I'm still doing my morning walk, but an alternate route so that I come into less people. I also do at-home workouts both online with BodyMindLife and ones I have made up - eg. skipping for 5 minutes then doing planks, sit ups, pushups and some yoga moves.
EATING
I'm keeping my immune system in check by eating oranges, drinking water, having home cooked meals and not drinking alcohol.
CALM MIND
After initially spending up to 6 hours or more a day researching all the latest on COVID-19, I have now limited my research to just checking the daily updates in the morning. I found that social media was making me waste time I could otherwise spend with my family now that we are all home together and also I was feeling cranky about comments people were saying in their posts.
I am doing an evening yoga online class as it helps to calm my mind before bed. Previously I found myself waking up in a panic in the middle of the night. I have never had the patience to meditate, instead I consider yoga a moving meditation as when I am doing it, my mind is still.
SUPPLEMENTS?
Not at this stage, but I am going to start looking into what can boost ones immune system during this time.
I'M LISTENING TO
Apart from my son and his friends on Facetime all day? Billy Eilish and Rufus du Sol.
STAY SANE TIPS
I've tried to keep my same routine so I don't just sleep in all day and get lazy during this time. Wake up, exercise, have brekky, shower as if going to work, and then the day starts.
I've been speaking to all my friends either on the phone or via whatsapp and chatting to my neighbours over the fence. Also trying to make the situation more positive - like, when was the last time I stopped and spent time at home? Almost never as I was always on the move, going somewhere, doing something, finishing off work, booking some holiday etc and now I'm taking the time to just recentre and spend time in my own house and with my little family. Will I look back on this time and realise it was precious? I hope so.
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Melanie Burnicle, makeup artist and founder of 2Twenty2 Group
WORK
Both of my businesses are currently at a stand still. There's no work and no income coming in the foreseeable future.
I’m solo with no partner or kids so grateful I’m not needing to support others but it does make isolation a lonely place to be.
WORKING OUT
I haven't started exercising yet apart from stretching, I'm in self isolation. I'll need to get onto it as it improves my mental wellbeing. I have a few more days of self isolation then will start walking and quietly put my feet on solid earth.
CALM MIND
With all of the news I ended up completely overwhelmed and felt so anxious so was implementing the 4 count breathing technique.
I am now limiting my news to once a day and not late at night. I'm also limiting social media and have taken alerts off for all social media. So I can stay focused on positive tasks I’ve set myself.
I was fine for the first 5 days then found myself really upset and had work through the fear, anxiety and ramifications across myself, business and loved ones. It was a hard thing to do but a couple of days of tears, disappointment, sadness is what I had to let out to come back to a balanced mental state.
I’ve been doing the Dharma Ocean meditation - the 10 point is great and they have many other free ones online. I’ve been using my sandalwood and I’ve been applying my RECREATION Stardust body oil across my body before bed as it makes me feel peaceful before I try to sleep.
SUPPLEMENTS
Oregano oil and Armaforce to keep my immune system up. Oregano oil is an amazing antibacterial, anti-fungal and ant-iviral natural supplement. I’ve been gargling it once a day in the liquid format and taking a capsule once a day. It’s great for respiratory issues, sinus, colds - worth a google. Not something you take everyday long term and I’m not a Doctor or naturopath so check with some one first if it’s right for you, but I've used it on and off for 7 years and for me it’s a game changer.
I'M WATCHING
I watched Self Made on Netflix at 2:30am when I couldn’t sleep. I like to be inspired and want to use this time wisely.
I'M LISTENING TO
Ludovico Einaudi is my saving grace - his latest release 7 days Walking goes for something like six hours and it’s peaceful, uplifting and good for the soul.
STAY SANE TIPS
I'm video chatting with family and having virtual dinners with friends
I’m an extrovert and need people, I’m inspired and curious about other humans so I'm working out ways to stay in touch.
I also have large pink post-it notes now taking over my one bedroom apartment with topics like idea generators, house hold to do list, quick result tasks etc.