Indian spiritual teacher and creator of Iyenger yoga, B.S.K Iyenger once said, “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit”, and I couldn’t put it more perfectly or succinctly myself.

Too often are we bombarded with the latest fitness regimes or fad diets, taking us away from what health really is, and that is the alignment of the body, mind, and spirit, as Iyenger so poetically spells out for us. 

Last year and this year, as various tiered lockdowns occurred, and finally a total country lockdown now ensues, the topic of health has been on the cards more than ever, and thankfully, people seem to be finally starting to talk about mental health as well as physical health.

The buzz around restrictive dieting and high-pressure exercise routines seems to have quietened, and we all seem to be focusing on (or at least trying to focus on) staying both physically and mentally healthy during lockdown. 

However, if you’ve been flicking through Tik-Toks with various self-care ideas and looking at every Pinterest health board out there and feeling slightly overwhelmed with it all, here are my top tips for staying physically and mentally healthy during lockdown, utilising Juno partners to help!

#1 Know that it’s ok to not be ok.

Being locked down again is incredibly tough, and dealing with unprecedented change can make us feel vulnerable, unmotivated and anxious. To improve your health, take away expectations and try to realise and accept that you might have bad days from time to time, and that’s ok. On these days, allow yourself to slow down and take time for yourself, but know that you are resilient and you’ll get through it. If you need a helping hand, which we all do from time to time, Self Space Therapy can assist and guide you through this time.

#2 Spend time (virtually) with loved ones.

At a time when you’re physically disconnected from people, get online and connect with them! Speaking to your loved ones will improve your mood and give you that reminder that you are loved and supported by so many people, reducing symptoms of anxiety and allowing you to have a clearer headspace.

#3 Create time for mindfulness.

Whether you’re an experienced yogi or you’ve never tried to meditate, creating time for mindfulness every day will calm your mind, improve mood and provide clarity. Mindfulness comes in many shapes and forms, from mediation and painting to breathwork and yoga, so use this lockdown to test them out and see which provides you with the most benefit. Using Juno partners such as Headspace and Mindshine can be beneficial if you prefer guided mindfulness practices.

#4 Indulge in some self-care every day.

Self-care makes you feel a million dollars, and lockdown is the perfect time to fully indulge in some good old-fashion TLC! Whether you treat yourself to an Ardere candlelit bath or you put on your favourite music, grab the book you’ve been dying to read and bury your head in it for an hour, make sure you’re extra kind to yourself at some point every day.

#5 Prioritise good nutrition.

You are what you eat, so eat well! Make sure you’re getting your vitamins in, mix those superfoods into your meals, snack healthy and lay off the sugary drinks and booze. Prioritising good nutrition has never been easier with Juno partners like Vitl and Mindful Chef.

#6 Have fun experimenting with cooking.

Cooking up new, healthy (see the point above!) ideas in the kitchen both stimulates the brain and benefits the body, so get your Gordon Ramsey on and start cooking up a storm using ingredients you might otherwise never have used!

#7 Move for at least 45 minutes every day.

Moving your body is essential to good health, and whether you like to practice yoga, get your blood flowing doing a HIIT workout, or you’re a keen jogger, make sure you’re getting your body moving every day for at least 45 minutes to stay fit and healthy. Exercise also releases endorphins, so it’s a win-win for your body and mind!

#8 Get some fresh air.

Getting regular fresh air and spending time in nature benefits the physical body and the mind, so if you can get out and about safely, try to spend some time every day in the outdoors. If you can’t get outside, crack open a window and let an invigorating breeze flow through your house, increasing your energy and boosting your mood.

Health and wellbeing are extremely important here at Juno, and we’re on a mission to revolutionise the way that we care for ourselves and others. 

Do you think we should all be prioritising keeping physically and mentally healthy? If you do and you’re with us on this one (which we hope you are), let us know how you like to stay in the best possible state of wellbeing during lockdown!