1. Go Outside

This is a go-to if you feel your mental health isn't in a good place. Your body needs Vitamin D which can be absorbed from sunlight. There is a link to higher levels of depression and anxiety for those who have a Vitamin D deficiency. Do yourself a favor and get outside already! Take a walk around your neighborhood, rollerblade, or get on your swimming attire and get your tan on.

I've had several friends tell me that they're sick of reading social media posts about this pandemic. So do yourself a favor, get off your phone, clear your mind and step into the sunshine already. Notice how good you feel after only 20 minutes. Being outside feels good and it's good for you!

2. Exercise

As an exercise science professional and graduate, I can't stress the importance of exercise at this time! Did you know that exercise can actually boost your immune system? Now I'm not saying you have to be a CrossFit king or queen to reap the benefits, it actually only takes 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day to help boost your immune system.

You don't even have to leave the comfort of your home to start an exercise regiment. YouTube is ridden with fitness classes and many fitness professionals (including myself!) are offering free online classes during the quarantine period. If you're new to exercise, I recommend trying lower impact activities such as walking your dog, yoga, or riding your bike.

Rest

I won't lie to you here, resting is hard for me. I love to move, live life, and always be on the go. Regardless, the importance of rest outweighs the stressed-out existence of someone without enough sleep. I even had one professor that always said that stress was the new silent killer. When you're not resting enough, your body is stressed out and can't function properly. Your immune system is compromised, your cognitive function is impaired and to be frank you won't feel good.

As a bonus, when you are fully rested, you have lower chances of becoming depressed and a decrease in appetite. Say what? That's right, your body creates more cortisol when you have less sleep, and cortisol is the hormone associated with stress. When your body is stressed it creates another hormone called ghrelin that sends a signal to your brain that you are hungry...even if you're not!

The moral of the story? Take that nap you've been dying to take this semester. Your brain will work better after a nap and you'll be less likely to overeat from your quarantine snack pile. It's a win-win if you ask me.

Develop a mindfulness routine

Yoga and meditation have been a daily part of my routine for the past three years. only second to food, mindfulness is the way to my heart! The art of mindfulness is being aware of what you are doing, thinking of, or focusing on or being a part of the present moment. Being mindful can help you stay focused, clear your mind of clutter, and realign with your goals and dreams.

Some ways you can practice mindfulness include journaling, yoga, meditation, drawing, or my personal favorite...washing the dishes. Any activity that draws you into the present moment is a form of mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness can help decrease blood pressure, create a more positive outlook on life, promote gratitude, and help you sleep.

I meditate and practice yoga for 30 minutes each morning when I wake up. It sets the tone for the rest of my day and I can't help but enjoy life because of it. I challenge you to set aside 15 minutes a day to practice mindfulness and watch your life slowly change for the better.

5. Do what you love

I was talking to a coworker the other day and he told me he couldn't understand how people got bored. He asked me, "How can anyone possibly get bored when there are so many things that I love to do and want to try?" Those words stuck with me.

With an abundance of free time, take advantage, and jump into what you're passionate about. Startup an old hobby, try something you've always wanted to do, and enjoy your life! If I've learned anything from working with the elderly, it's to not put your dreams on hold.

Make time for what you love especially if you're feeling antsy or bored. This is a great way to take care of your emotional and mental health. If you really love it so much, why wouldn't you want to dive in?