5 Self-Maintenance Tips to Actively Practice While Staying Home Due to the Coronavirus

What to Prioritize While Staying Home

As the time spent at home increases due to the coronavirus, it"s easy for both physical condition and emotional stability to fluctuate. We (the geefee team) have experimented during our time at home and found that by building small habits, we were able to regain a "daily life not swayed by anxiety." Here are 5 self-maintenance methods that anyone can easily adopt.

1. Make Meditation a Daily Routine

Start with Just 5 Minutes

While meditation may have strong religious connotations, short breathing exercises and mindfulness are widely researched today and reported to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep. When we tried it ourselves, a 5-minute breathing exercise in the morning helped ease the tension of the day. The method is simple: sit comfortably and focus only on your inhales and exhales. Using guided meditation apps or videos is also an easy way to continue.

2. Room Organization and Cleaning as a Habit

Cleaning: "Organizing the Outside Tidies the Inside"

A cluttered space unconsciously increases stress. Studies show that people in organized spaces have lower levels of stress hormones, and and simple tasks like washing dishes or cleaning floors are known to have a calming effect. We introduced the "10-minute rule," making it easier to continue by moving quickly without aiming for perfection all at once.

3. Control Media Exposure

Intentionally Choose the Quality and Quantity of Information

Endlessly following news and social media can amplify anxiety. It"s recommended to focus on official information from reliable organizations like WHO and the US CDC, and check other sources at set times. Creating "information rules" using smartphone screen time features and notification silencing can help stabilize your emotions. We also made a rule not to watch news after 9 PM, which improved our sleep quality.

4. Incorporate Short, High-Efficiency HIIT Workouts

Example 10-Minute HIIT for Beginners

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which can be done even on days you can"t go to the gym, raises your heart rate and stimulates metabolism in a short time. Here"s a recommended beginner"s menu (approx. 10 minutes including warm-up):
Warm-up (jogging in place, arm circles): 1 minute
30 seconds of burpees (if this is too challenging, you can substitute with jump-free squats) → 30 seconds of rest. Repeat for 3 sets.
• 30-second plank → 30-second rest (2 sets)
1-minute cool-down stretch

Even a short sweat session can be a refreshing change, and continued practice will positively impact both muscle strength and physical fitness. If you have any health concerns, please reduce the intensity.

5. Regulate Sleep, Diet, and Lifestyle Rhythms

The Basics Are Most Effective

Regular bedtimes and wake-up times, exposure to morning light, avoiding smartphones before bed, and a nutritionally balanced diet form the foundation of immunity and mental well-being. We found that taking a light evening walk and cutting out caffeine an hour before bed improved our sleep onset and morning wakfulness. It"s especially good to aim for simple meal planning to ensure you don"t lack protein and vitamins.

Summary

While staying at home, it"s easy to focus on what you "can"t do," but incorporating just five small habits can significantly improve your mind-body balance. Try starting with just one: 5 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes of cleaning, media exposure rules, 10 minutes of HIIT, or regular sleep. We"ve felt gradual changes ourselves, so you surely can too.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.