5 Ways to Look After Your Health During Isolation

Simple tips to keep you ticking over while you quarantine

The latest Omicorn variant of COVID-19 caused a huge spike in cases throughout the UK. In Scotland, the cases rose from 2415 December 5th to 4879 on December 19th.

For those who do unfortunately have to isolate and are big into fitness, it can seem like a daunting experience.

By now, most of us have experienced home workouts and daily walks to keep our step game up. I was lucky enough to have some equipment during those times of restrictions which meant I could retain some element of normality.

I had managed to avoid contracting COVID-19 or being in close contact with someone who tested positive for roughly 20 months. During the 2021 holiday season, I tested positive.

With my first trail running events coming up, I was worried about missing out on runs and workouts as part of my training. Instead, I chose to remain calm without the reality that its only 10 days and the work I’ve put in beforehand will keep me ticking over.

If you find yourself in a similar position to me, then I hope some of these come in handy.

1. Move as much as possible

As an active person, you probably aren’t used to spending time the majority of your time sitting down. You might even become fidgety after a while and need to move.

This was the case for me. I set boundaries for myself in terms of how long I’m allowed to sit down. If I was working, I made sure I got up and walked about at least once every hour for about 5 minutes. I stood up during calls too rather than sitting at my desk staring at my screen.

Scheduling in time for any sort of workout is key. I decided to focus on lifting with the weights I’ve got and some conditioning workouts. Turns out these both are handy for my upcoming races.

In his book Blueprint, Ross Edgley likens your body to a jet engine. You build your muscle-skeletal system to be able to handle extreme conditions. How far you go is determined by your aerobic system (the gas tank) and when the gas is running out, your anaerobic system takes over and (the afterburners).

I was presented with an opportunity to work on my afterburners. It develops grit and perseverance. Come race day I’ll have a higher level of mental fortitude to take through the tough sections of the race.

I made sure to include some conditioning at least every other day during my 10 days in isolation.

2. Practice gratitude

One of the easiest ways to improve your overall happiness. Each morning, my girlfriend and I noted 3 things we’re grateful for.

It’s backed by science too.

Dr Martin Seligman, the founder of Positive Psychology, found in one of his studies that writing down great things that happened in a day and expressing gratitude had a lasting effect.

One week of this practice was enough for participants to feel happier for 6 months after.

Oprah Winfrey has kept a gratitude journal since 1996. In 2012 she said:

You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you’re aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots.

Even though you’re unable to see your friends and family, there’s still plenty around you to be grateful for.

3. Appreciate your garden (if you have one)

Building on the previous point, you don’t know how lucky you are if you have a garden.

I live in a flat so I don’t have a garden. This mean where I could walk about was limited and to get any fresh meant standing at the open kitchen French doors.

Get yourself moving and do it outside if you can. Plus, you might even be lucky to get some vitamin D on a clear winters day.

4. Declutter

So now you’re spending a lot of time at home you might release how much stuff you own.

Every year, I like to have a clearout and get rid of the useless stuff I have by donating it to a cause where it’ll be useful. The timing was perfect here.

The effect this has on your mental, as well as physical space, is liberating. A tidy and organised house is the stepping stone to organising your mind.

Enter the brain dump.

Sit down with a blank bit of paper. No interruptions. 30 minutes on the clock. Get everything in your mind on the paper. You may be shocked or surprised at what comes out but that’s the point.

Your next great idea may be waiting to be written on the page.

5. Enjoy the time to yourself

Be grateful for the time to yourself.

If you’re struggling, rest up. Your body needs it.

This is the opportunity to read those books you bought, listen to that podcast you keep putting off.

Serve yourself.

So if you find yourself having to isolate and want to look after yourself both physically and mentally, these 5 can help.

• Move as much as possible
• Practice gratitude
• Appreciate your garden (or your space if you don’t have one)
• Declutter
• Enjoy the time to yourself

These are not the only options available to you. There are endless ways to keep on top of your health during such a time.

In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ― Viktor E. Frankl.

It’s how we respond to the situation that matters.

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