The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious global health risk.
Governments have been implementing a variety of new regulations to try to stem the spread of COVID-19, including self-quarantine, self-isolation and social distancing. While medically necessary to limit the spread, these new policies are also disrupting many of the stabilising factors in our lives that support mental health.
“One of the most important systems contributing to our daily wellbeing is the body’s internal biologic clock. This clock keeps our body and our behaviour synchronised with the 24-hour cycle of light and dark,” says Professor Greg Murray, Director of the Centre for Mental Health.
Predictable, daily schedules and regular routines help keep our body clock running smoothly. “Research shows that disrupted body clocks are associated with many physical and mental health conditions, including depression, diabetes, obesity and cancer” he adds.
Helping your body clock stay on track during major life disruptions such as the COVID 19 pandemic is important to maintaining positive physical and mental health.
Here are some tips for improving the regularity of your daily routines at a time where nothings feels regular. These recommendations have been co-developed by Professor Murray as part of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Chronobiology and Chronotherapy.
Set up a routine
Routines help stabilise your body clock, so whether you’re working from home or in quarantine, it’s important to set a daily routine for yourself.
Get up at the same time every day
Waking up and starting your day at the same time every day is the most important way to stabilise your body clock.
Spend some time outdoors
Your body clock needs to “see” light in the morning to know that it’s daytime. If you can’t go outside, try to spend some time next to a window to get sunlight and focus on being calm.
Set times for regular activities
Whether you are tutoring your kids, checking in with a friend or cooking making dinner, try to do these activities at the same time each day.
Exercise every day
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re working from home. Make sure you set aside some time to exercise. This could be going for a walk around the block or doing an online exercise class.
Eat your meals at the same time every day
If you’re not hungry, at least eat a small snack at the prescribed time.
