The coronavirus forced people around the world to change their daily routines to avoid getting sick. Staying at home is the best way for people to avoid getting infected by the virus. But this situation brings its challenges as people might be tempted to open a bag of chips now and then while working remotely.
This constant bingeing on unhealthy snacks replaced walking from the parking lot to the office, strolls in the park, and other physical activities that can keep people healthy. This is particularly true for people who have taken to heart advice from experts to avoid going out of the house if it’s not necessary. Instead, they turned to online shopping for their essential needs.
But they can still maintain a healthy lifestyle if they have the discipline and motivation to do their part, even if they’re staying at home.
Exercise
The first thing to keep yourself healthy is for you to exercise. While many gyms and spas have reopened, some people are still hesitant to visit them due to the fear of getting infected. But this doesn’t mean you can’t exercise at home. There are a lot of physical activities you can perform without stepping foot inside a gym.
You can perform push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and squats in your living room. Jumping jacks are also good at bringing up your heart rate. Walking or jogging around the neighborhood is also a good cardio exercise for you. But if you’re planning to exercise outside the house, you should follow proper health protocols. This means keeping a safe distance away from people who are not a part of your household and wearing a mask. If you don’t have a mask, you can easily buy a Velcro face mask online.
Meditate
Aside from your physical health, you should also take care of your mental health. Taking care of your mental health through meditation allows you to ward off the stress and anxieties you’re feeling due to the situation. Additionally, you also lower your blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
You can do this by focusing on your breathing for three minutes. You should perform box breathing where you take slow, deep breaths while relaxing. Inhale slowly for three to four seconds, then hold your breath before slowly exhaling for another three to four seconds.
One good thing about this meditation technique is you can do it anywhere at any time. You can perform it after waking up on your porch with the morning sun gradually going up over the horizon.
Eat Healthily
Having a healthy diet is also essential during the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a diet of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk to give you the nutrients you need to strengthen your immune system. You can also feast on seafood, nuts, and legumes while staying at home during the pandemic.
Lean meat could be an option if the supply of meat in your area weren’t affected by the closure of some big meat manufacturers in the country. Additionally, you can avoid bingeing on chips and other unhealthy snacks. Starting a garden is also a good idea since it allows you to have a home food source.
Rest
The body needs to rest after a whole day filled with activities. This important part of your daily routine can boost your immune system. Even as the amount of sleep your body needs depends on your age, you cannot go wrong if you get at least eight hours of sleep every day.
To ensure you get enough sleep, you should prepare by putting aside your mobile devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime. You should also avoid drinking alcohol for at least three hours before you sleep. Meditating before bedtime can also help, especially when you are doing breathing exercises.
Maintain Connections
Keeping yourself healthy in the middle of the pandemic isn’t limited to exercising, having a nutritious diet, and getting enough rest. You should also maintain your connections with your family and friends. When you talk with a loved one, even over the phone, it can reduce anxiety levels. You can use different free video-conferencing apps available in the market to connect with them.
Before the pandemic started, our lives were quite hectic, and we could not talk with our loved ones as often as we wanted. So it might be time to reconnect with them since we find ourselves with more time in our hands. You can use the situation and existing technologies to rekindle the camaraderie you once had with them. Who knows, you can even start a business together.
The pandemic has turned our lives upside down. But if you take care of your physical and mental health, you can look forward to the day when everything goes back to normal.
