Nobody likes feeling cooped up at home. Restrictions to your regular way of life will naturally start to make you feel a little blue after a while. That’s why it’s really important to take the time to dedicate part of your day to your own needs. 

A 2020 Statista report showed that 53.9% of men and 46.3% of women in Australia felt stress and anxiety as a result of working from home. The core issues cited were feeling isolated, as well as finding it hard to find a healthy balance between work and home life. 

Taking care of your mental health should always be a priority. It helps keep us motivated, focused and, perhaps most importantly of all, happy. Thankfully, there are a host of activities which you can do at home to keep you in good spirits. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective. 

1. Dance or workout to music 

We all love blasting out some of our favourite tunes of an afternoon or evening. Some studies have even shown that listening to music can reduce your overall levels of anxiety by up to 65%. So why not think about mixing some classic rock or modern beats with a bit of light exercise?

Whether you’re just dancing along for the fun of it, or using your favourite bands as a means of keeping you motivated and focused while doing an intense workout, music has the power to help us transcend the worldly stresses we feel and really achieve something. 

It’s important to remember when it comes to your tastes, it’s all subjective. If Kylie is good enough to get you going, more power to you. If rock is more your speed, then crank it up to 11. Pick songs which work for you. 

2. Yoga on your lunch break 

Unless you’ve somehow avoided pop culture for the past 10 years, you’ve probably heard that yoga is a good option for anyone looking to find a rare blend of exercise and relaxation. Suffice to say, the hype is real. Yoga continues to be a popular daily routine for those who want to stay in shape without lifting weights or sweating buckets. 

One study found that 88% of practitioners surveyed felt yoga had improved their physical capabilities, while as many as 82.6% would say it also had a positive impact on their mental health as well. With such rave reviews it’s not hard to see why so many people are fans. 

3. Challenge yourself to learn a new skill 

Fancy picking up a new language? How about learning to crochet? Or have you ever considered becoming a whizz at chess? Learning new skills helps to keep us feeling motivated, and means we don’t fall into a rut. 

Aside from making you a more well-rounded person, you’ll also receive a healthy dose of boosted confidence and self-worth from acquiring a new skill. If you’re thinking about a change of professions, this is also a great opportunity to start educating yourself in a completely new field. 

Being at home doesn’t mean your productivity has to die. Think about staying active, both physically and mentally, to ensure your health stays in top condition.