The winter months can get pretty brutal. If you aren’t the type of person that enjoys the outdoors, it can be tempting to hole up inside and wait for the snow to thaw. This is even more appealing right now since COVID-19 has the whole world indoors. It might be difficult to adjust at first, but the added safety of being away from any health risks is worth it to keep you and your family safe.
More Time For Yourself
For most people, a bit of time alone can be refreshing when the world gets too loud. Maybe you need some time to rest and recharge because you find being social drains your energy. Sometimes you need some time away from other people to reflect on your life and figure out what you want to do. You probably won’t find enlightenment, but having a better understanding of your goals is a great motivator.
Staying inside can also help prevent impulse buying. When you’re out and about, it’s easy to see a fast food place when you’re hungry and duck in for a quick snack. Sure, it’s easy to order food online, but the act of having to hunt for something specific online helps curb the impulse since it’s not right in front of you.
Being indoors might help you be more productive, too. Sitting in a quiet, comfortable environment where you feel completely safe is a great feeling to have when you want to catch up on work. An office’s professional environment does have its perks, but being able to work on your own hardware is convenient since you can tailor your set-up to suit your needs.
Loneliness Kinda Sucks
There are different strokes for different folks, and maybe you like to socialize more than the average introvert. Staying indoors can be difficult if you’re interested in hobbies that are social in nature, like playing Dungeons and Dragons. The feeling of playing with your friends in person can’t be beaten. Nowadays, there are many options for pursuing hobbies like this online, but it’s unavoidable that it doesn’t feel as fun as the real thing.
Something easy to take for granted is the change of scenery that you get when you’re out and about. Leaving the house now and again for minor errands does break up the monotony of staying home all day after all. Seeing the same rooms day in and day out can get dull, leading to feelings of cabin fever. This is a matter of opinion, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re beginning to feel antsy at home and can’t quite place why.
One of the bigger concerns for a lot of people is the feeling of isolation after being at home for so long. The loneliness can be hard to bear, especially for people with existing mental health issues. Given how many options we have today to communicate, it’s important to keep in touch with friends and family to support you.
Watch Your Health
Staying indoors can have health issues if you aren’t careful. One of the most obvious risks is that the lack of sunlight can lead to a vitamin D deficiency. That’s an important thing to prepare for since vitamin D helps keep you sharp and helps your bones stay strong and healthy. So if you’re planning to stay inside for the winter, it would be best to plan to get some more Vitamin D into your diet. Something else to consider is that the dry, climate-controlled conditions indoors can also dry out your skin and cause irritation. You’ll probably want to invest in some good moisturizers to help keep your skin happy.
You also need to consider your air quality at home. If you haven’t had your HVAC system serviced and air ducts cleaned, you should. You’ll be getting a lot of bang for your buck, especially since you’ll be at home all day. Having a well-maintained heating and ventilation system is vital because they help keep you comfortable no matter the weather outside.
Stay Safe
All in all, there are plenty of pros and cons to staying indoors, but right now, staying safe and healthy should be the top priority for yourself and society. It might not be easy to adapt to being at home full-time, but preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility. Hopefully, this guide can serve to give some insight into why you might not be feeling like yourself while you’re stuck and home and help you find the silver-lining in these difficult times.