The fitness sector has consistently grown as more people realise the many benefits of physical activity and the effects it has on their well-being. Now, more attention is shifting to being mentally active too – the perfect complement your overall activity.
Going for a run or completing another HIIT session indoors becomes part of your daily routine, but what are some more creative ways to keep your brain engaged, healthy and sensibly occupied when in isolation?
The International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring is the leading accreditation body for professional coaches. With that in mind, we caught up with IAPC&M accredited coach Rima Dahdah who shares with us 5 ways to stay mentally active during isolation.
1. Challenge your Brain – Chances are, there are many people with an instrument or two collecting dust in their homes. Now might be the time to revisit this, not just as a way to keep occupied but playing an instrument or even learning a new language can keep you mentally active, learning a new skill along the way. These methods have also been proven to improve memory retention and cognitive function.
2. Deal with Stress – Keeping your brain active is one thing, but when stress and worries out of control, it’s time to change the pattern. Consider meditating. There are many techniques that you can try which don’t require specialist equipment – just you. If that doesn’t appeal to you, reading a book is a good distraction technique so your mind doesn’t wander back to the things you’re looking to manage.
3. Connect with Friends and Family – If you find yourself in the position where you can’t actively see friends or family, there are various ways to get in touch such as Skype or Zoom. Engaging in topical conversations, small talk and venting opens new paths of discussion, keeping your interest and maintaining a healthy, active mind.
4. Stay Active – The mind and body need to be in unison. A moderate 30 minutes of exercise per day will have both short-term and long-term effects on your well-being. There are so many activities you can do that you could do something new every day! You may find it easier with a training partner, so consider checking out the video
resources on YouTube that are free and have the coaches doing the exercises along with you.
5. Maintain Basic Good Health Habits – a healthy balanced diet is key to a healthy mind and body. Avoid junk food, fizzy drinks and alcohol and eat from a wide range for the best benefits. One area not to neglect, of course, is sleep. Too much or too little of it is not ideal however, so stick to a solid 8 hours of quality rest per day at reasonable hours.
