Keeping Yourself Healthy and Active During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We are living in unsettling times, and you might feel like things are out of control. Most of our daily routines have been thrown in disarray, and there is nothing certain about our future.

To avoid the spread of the coronavirus, many nations have decided to hold off non-critical care. The problem is that many people need to take care of their own well being in the days ahead to avoid contracting COVID-19.

The good news is there are many things that you can do on your own even while we are in lockdown.

It is essential to stay active even while everything around us has been put on hold. We share some tips on how to keep your body moving and active amid this pandemic we are facing.

Plus, we share things that you can do to protect your health and wellbeing while in lockdown.

Spend Time Doing House Chores

A typical day at the office can involve many small activities that keep us on our toes. We walk up and down the stairs, move to and from work, fetch the children from school, to name a few.

Such activities add up and do good things for our overall health a well being. All activities that activate our cardiovascular system benefit many areas of our body, including muscles and joints, plus boosts our mental health.

Now that our daily routine has been ground to a halt, we need to remain active even at home. You can cook, clean the house, do laundry, or any other house chores that require physical activity.

Doing this every day will make up for the things that you used to do before the lockdown.

Avoid Being A Couch Potato

Spending time on your soft couch watching Netflix all day is not good for your body. Here are ways to ease the strain.

Try to take frequent breaks after you finish a show or movie. Stretch while you get up, especially if you are already experiencing back or neck pain.

Find a different sitting position or try to sit in a chair from time to time.

Spend Time Outdoors

If your local government allows it, you can go outdoors as long as you maintain social distancing. Go on a walk or ride a bike and breath in fresh air.

Physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. It also strengthens our muscles and joints.

If you live in a place where a total lockdown is implemented, you can still perform home exercises. You can try out 7-minute workout apps like the Seven App.

As you stick with an exercise program during the lockdown, you will build strength and mobility. Three times a week is an ideal routine for home or outdoor exercise.

Eat Healthy

We are still in search of a vaccine, and many experts say that we are still two years away.

Eating healthy is one way of maintaining our physical health. Choosing a healthy diet is proven to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.

Avoiding processed food and too much sugar is a good start on your way to proper eating.

A balanced diet usually includes foods that are high in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E as well as minerals like zinc, iron, and selenium.

Complex carbohydrates are good for our mental health. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

B vitamins help combat depression, and good sources include spinach, broccoli, eggs, beans, bananas, fish, poultry, and beetroot.

Gut health maintenance is also vital, so include prebiotics and probiotics in your diet. You can find them in fermented foods like kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt.

A tip for dealing with stress from the World Health Organization (WHO) says that we should not “use smoking, alcohol, or other drugs to deal with your emotions.”

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep is vital to keep our bodies free from toxins and repair damaged cells. Sleep deprivation has shown adverse effects on our wellbeing and emotional state.

Lack of sleep also increases our risk of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

Aside from our routine for eating, working, and exercising, we should also have a regular sleep schedule.

Six to nine hours of sleep a night is sufficient for most people. Retiring to bed and waking up at similar times can help maintain your sleep routine.

Keep your mind free from all the stress and worries brought about by the pandemic. Limit your screen time in the evening because the effect of blue light on our eyes can disrupt our sleep quality.