Home is where the heart is—but it’s also where much unhealthy living can happen. From lounging on the couch all day to eating whatever’s accessible and available, it’s easy to let your health take a backseat when you’re spending most of your time at home. However, there are small changes you can make to your routine and home that will have a significant impact on your overall health. Here are some ways to live healthier at home.
1. Get Moving
Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t stay active. There are plenty of opportunities to sneak in some extra movement throughout the day. Take a brisk walk during your lunch break, do jumping jacks during commercials, or take the dog for an extra walk around the block. Every little bit counts!
2. Make Healthy Food Choices
When you’re at home, you have complete control over what goes into your body. Use this to your advantage by filling your pantry and fridge with healthy, nourishing foods. Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of processed snacks, cook meals from scratch using whole ingredients and drink plenty of water throughout the day. You’ll feel better—and have more energy—in no time!
3. Take Breaks Throughout the Day
Working from home can make it tempting to work straight through lunch or skip taking breaks altogether. However, this can lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run. To avoid this, make a point to take a few minutes for yourself every few hours. Step away from your desk, stretch your legs, and take deep breaths. You (and your work) will be better for it in the end.
4. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Wind down for the evening with a relaxing bedtime routine that will prepare you to get a good night’s sleep. This may involve taking a warm bath, reading a book, writing in a journal, or meditating for a few minutes. Whatever helps you relax and destress before bedtime will do wonders for your sleep quality and overall health!
As part of good sleep hygiene, it’s essential that your bedroom is associated with rest and relaxation. If your bedroom is a space for activities other than sleep, it will be difficult to associate it with restful sleep. Avoid watching TV in bed, using your laptop, or reading a book before you sleep. Instead, reserve your bedroom as the only place where you rest.
Also, make it a comfortable and relaxing space that helps you fall asleep. Some simple ways to create a calming bedroom environment include using soft lighting, keeping your room cool, and using soothing scents like lavender.
5. Limit Screen Time Before Bedtime
This one may be tough if you work from home—but it’s worth it! Limiting screen time in the hours leading up to bedtime will help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly throughout the night. If possible, disconnect from screens entirely for 30 minutes to an hour before hitting the hay.
If that’s not an option for you, try using blue light filtering glasses or software like f.lux to minimize the effects of blue light on your sleep cycle. When you make time for self-care like this at home, you’ll be able to live a healthier life not only the next day but for many years to come.
6. Clean Your Bedroom
Dust, allergens, and other unwanted particles can build up in your bedroom over time. If you don’t take care of this, it can lead to poor air quality and irritate your respiratory system. To keep your bedroom clean, consider using a HEPA filter to purify the air.
Keep your space clean, tidy, and healthy by regularly washing sheets, vacuuming the floors, and dusting surfaces. Also, put those used clothes in the laundry right away. And make your bed in the morning—this can help you start each day feeling organized and ready to take on whatever. You’ll thank yourself later when you feel relaxed and sleep better in a clean, organized bedroom!
7. Maintain Your House
Whether you have leaky gutters causing rotting or mold caused by moisture, a home that isn’t kept up will lead to unwanted health issues. Be sure to invest in regular home maintenance to avoid problems down the line.
You may need to address cleaning out your gutters, checking for mold in moist areas of your home like the bathroom or basement, and sealing gaps in your windows to prevent pests from entering. You can even hire skilled workers to help you with these tasks, like gutter contractors or professional cleaners.
Living healthily at home doesn’t have to be complicated—small changes can make a big difference! By getting active, making healthy food choices, taking breaks throughout the day, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bedtime, cleaning your bedroom, and maintaining your house, you can vastly improve your overall health—without even leaving the house!
