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Health is a state of mind, wellness is a state of being
Author: Rointe
At Rointe, we want to help boost your health during this uncertain time, so here are some tips to make your #StayAtHome less stressful and more enjoyable.
The digital age of instant communication and social media has shaped new habits that hinder our brain’s efforts to regulate emotions. We respond to situations in real-time as we perceive them. This can provoke negative reactions that cause damage to our health and well-being.
During instances of crisis, like #Covid-19 we are facing now, maintaining calm can be tricky. Especially when our daily lives are already stressful. Learning how to cope in tense situations is an important skill we can all benefit from.
Keep on reading to learn more about our recommendations and tips.
Heating
Climate and temperature can have a big impact on health, especially your home. As we’re required to spend more time in them, it’s important to regulate your heating for enhanced comfort and optimum energy consumption.
The World Health Organization’s standard for comfortable warmth is 18 ºC for normal, healthy adults who are appropriately dressed. For those with respiratory problems or allergies, they recommend no less than 16 ºC, and for the sick, disabled, very old or very young, a minimum of 20 ºC. That’s why we recommend setting the temperature of your Rointe system between 18 ºC and 21 ºC for the best comfort.
Did you know that decreasing the temperature by just 1 ºC can reduce your heating bill by up to £85 per year? Most of us won’t even notice such a small difference, so give it a try to ease the financial worry of heating your home. You might also help decrease pressure on the electricity grid by allowing your Rointe product to work more efficiently, drawing less energy by reaching the temperature you set quicker.
Rointe electric radiators and towel rails need minimal maintenance, but keeping them clean helps your environment and product stay healthy. We recommend that all parts are kept clean (behind, underneath, along the upper fins or bars etc.), but don’t use any abrasive cleaning products on the aluminium or steel. Simply wipe the body thoroughly with a slightly damp (not wet) cloth and pH-neutral soap.
You can clean the control panel by rubbing with a dry cloth, but you might want to lock it first to prevent buttons being pressed unnecessarily.
Spring cleaning
Spring cleaning has many health benefits, from breathing better to keeping active. It’s also important for removing any nasty pathogens. Dust and pet dander are also powerful asthma triggers, so give your surfaces a good scrub with a damp, clean cloth and soap.
For most of us more clutter means more stress, so why not tidy up and organise your belongings? Brightly coloured storage boxes are great for kids’ toys. If you can’t get out to purchase them, ask your children to decorate cardboard boxes instead for a fun activity to keep them occupied.
Lemon-scented cleaning products have a happy smell, but if there aren’t any available, why not try making your own with these simple recipes:
· White vinegar mixed with bicarbonate soda and water makes a great all-purpose cleaner to tackle tiles, mirrors and bathroom/kitchen surfaces. You can add some lemon zest or a rosemary sprig for a fresh scent. Be careful using cleaners with acidic properties on granite, marble or stone surfaces as they can etch.
· White vinegar with water makes a great glass cleaner that’s blissfully simple.
· Bicarbonate of soda can also be used with some water to clean sinks, toilets, ovens and fridges. It’s a great deodoriser too.
Check out this handy blog for some great homemade cleaners and ingredient quantities.
Cleaning is also a great way to get some exercise if you’re stuck at home, but you really need to put some effort in.
Stretch for those cobwebs, lunge whilst vacuuming and use bigger circles to perfect the polish on your mirrors.
Put on your favourite upbeat music to work along to and you’ll feel fitter and happier afterwards.
With the current health advice, why not try spring cleaning your home to help with those spots you might overlook in your regular weekly clean up?
Fitness & health
As our routines change, so might our eating and exercise habits. Many of us could become lethargic and a bit down in the dumps if we don’t look after our bodies. Regular exercise and healthier eating help boost your immune system and your mood.
A healthy balanced diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods from animal sources, whilst lowering your intake of sugar and saturated fats.
Vegetables and fruit are an important source of vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system up and are a good source of natural fibre for a healthy gut. Try to make your plate more colourful by choosing different varieties.
Oily fish like salmon, trout and mackerel are a great source of protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer. They’re also high in omega-3 fats.
BBC Good Food offers a great selection of healthy recipes, so why not try out some instead of reaching for the biscuit packet?
Regular exercise is also important for a healthier lifestyle, reducing the risk of major illnesses, boosting self-esteem and improving sleep quality. Adults should aim to achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. It can be more difficult to exercise from home during this crisis, but fitness coaches are now turning to live-streaming sessions that you can join from your living room. There’s also a whole host of online workouts you can try, or simply organise a 30-minute dance party for you and your family at home. Turn the music up and sing along to your favourite tunes.
Educating & entertaining children
With schools and businesses closed, parents have a daunting task keeping kids entertained and educated. Children can be very intuitive and pick up on the emotions of those around them, so it’s important to remain calm and upbeat. There is no right or wrong way. You need to determine what is best for you and your family. Here are some top tips to help:
· Keep to your normal routines i.e. waking up, time for bed, lunch, bath time etc.
· Set aside a separate time each day for educational activities and relaxation slots.
· Some children find wearing their school uniform when it’s time to learn beneficial.
· Create a timetable for each day and post it on the fridge.
· Make time for exercise in the day to keep energy levels up. You don’t necessarily need a garden to have a dance party!
· Use online resources such as BBC Bitesize, IXL and Twinkl.
· Be realistic, you’re likely to spend more than an hour making slime or baking and around 20 minutes reading a story, so don’t be afraid to be flexible if needed.
· Make learning fun for your children and ask everyone in the household to help
- A game of scrabble might help with spelling skills and learning new words
- Card games can help with maths, or even learning about structures by building towers
- Ask them to pick a country and spend some time researching its culture, geography and food. You could even try making some of the local cuisines.
- Test out some home-made science experiments
- Lego can be great for dexterity and help with colours for youngsters
- Watching nature documentaries teach us all about the animals and countries of our world
- Ask them to teach your dog a new trick to develop patience and adaptive communication skills
Studies have shown that the more interactive and fun learning is, the more likely children will remember them.
The #StayAtHome experience can also be a great time for kids to learn new skills outside the classroom, like checking oil levels in a car, baking a scrumptious cake, learning about different plants and flowers in the garden or learning how to do laundry and cook a meal. Children feel empowered when they can do things for themselves.
During this difficult phase, make the most of it by doing fun things together like a picnic in your garden (weather permitting), or camping in the living room.
Remember, it’s also crucial to ensure your children can still interact with their friends and relatives to develop social skills for the future. Video calling, playing or chatting online, emails and instant messaging are all useful tools (when used safely) to communicate, without actual contact.
Maybe you can ask your children to “virtual hug” when video-calling a relative or friend?
Most importantly don’t give yourself a hard time if things don’t go to plan. Be flexible and positive in your approach, make sure everyone in the family has some fun.
Keeping your mind and yourself busy
As we’re increasingly asked to #StayAtHome to protect the health and lives of others and ourselves against the coronavirus, it can be tempting to sit on your comfy sofa, eating naughty snacks! Keeping your mind and body active has a host of benefits like improving memory function and aiding with depression. Not to mention drawing your thoughts away from fears, frustration and boredom during this difficult time.
Simple steps like changing out of your pyjamas into everyday clothes, setting up a dedicated office station (if you’re working from home) and eating at your regular times can help create a sense of normality.
Spending more time at home is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, tackle projects waiting for your attention or enjoy the space you call home. Thinking of positive ways to fill your time will make your day happier, healthier and full.
You could try learning a new language with sites like Duolingo, making a scrapbook of your favourite photographs or try out that new recipe you’ve had your eye on.
There are lots of books online when you sign up to the Amazon Kindle Unlimited* membership and you don’t need to purchase a new device. Just download the app. You could also try out a digital magazine subscription and there are plenty of free daily crosswords and puzzles online.
Try your hand at painting, writing, keeping a journal or watching a new TV drama you haven’t seen before.
Museums, zoos and theatres are now offering virtual tours and performances. So even though you can’t physically visit The Louvre for now, you can take a virtual tour around from the comfort of your own home. Try this list of the best virtual tours.
Or why not learn about meditation techniques to calm your mind? Meditation trains your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It’s proven to help reduce stress, control anxiety and improve sleep.
As social distancing becomes our everyday life, it’s important to keep some form of digital contact with your family, friends and loved ones. Call your family for a chat or to share your new recipe, email an old school friend for a catch-up or Skype your loved one for a virtual hug. Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t communicate. We’re just not able to do it physically for now.
These are just some of our thoughts on how to stay positive during this difficult time. If you’re struggling with #Coronavirus, #SelfIsolation #StayAtHome or anything related, here are some useful websites that might be able to help:
· General health advice: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
· What’s needed: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
This is a difficult and challenging time for all, but we need to follow the advice given such as washing our hands thoroughly, covering our nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, avoiding contact with people who have symptoms and #SocialDistancing.
Try to be kind to one another, and we hope you all stay #safe, #healthy, #happy and #warm.
Learn more about our range of electric heating systems including: radiators, towel rails, domestic hot water heaters, underfloor heating and smart heating controls. Or shop now to find the right electric heating option for you.