Make time for self-care

Taking care of yourself is fundamental to feeling good. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eat proper wholesome meals, and get enough physical exercise.

1. Plenty of sleep

Keeping up a good sleep regime is really important for your physical and mental health. A good night’s sleep has been shown to decrease the risk of developing depression and other mental health conditions. Experts recommend you get between 7-9 hours sleep each night.

2. Eat well

Healthy nutritional habits aren’t just important for your body, but they are also important for your mind. Eat a balanced diet which includes a good amount of local, seasonal fruit and vegetables and fresh unprocessed produce.

3. Stay physically active

Activity and exercise are essential in maintaining good physical and mental health. Kickstarting an exercise regime will not only help you deal with homesickness and loneliness but also broaden your social circle. Get outdoors and find parks and other recreational areas where you can run or walk; meditation, yoga and mindfulness are exercises that can be easily practiced at home.

Create a routine

Months of isolation and not seeing family and friends can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health. Health experts say that establishing a daily routine is essential to maintaining your mental health and fitness, and can be extremely helpful in times of uncertainty and stress.

Create a schedule for getting up, meals, and bedtime, and stick to it. Include small opportunities in your routine for rewards such as a soak in the bath, a manicure, or reading a good book.

Did you know?

In a recent survey, over a third of expats have noticed a decline in their mental health since the covid-19 pandemic.