Trying to stay happy, healthy, and fit during the COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful and discouraging due to new information, social distancing, caring for your family, job concerns and many other reasons. Worldwide pandemics can be taxing and can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It is important to take a moment and focus on self-care to help pacify feelings of sadness, fear, tiredness and anxiety. Here are some tips on how to practice self-care during this stressful time:
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Exercise
There are many reasons to stay active during the COVID-19 outbreak, even during shelter-in-place restrictions and social distancing requirements. Physical activity can help improve your mood, keep you busy and generally improve your health when faced with the challenge of staying inside. Remember to get some fresh air. Closed gyms can be discouraging when your routine is disrupted, but there are many indoor and outdoor alternatives that can keep you safe and healthy. Whether you are a regular gym-goer or someone who is thinking of starting a new fitness program during the pandemic, here are some ways to keep your heart pumping while you practice social distancing:
- Yoga at home or at the park (Click here for a good suggestion)
- HIIT cardio (Click here for a good suggestion)
- Running
- Hiking
- Walking
- Dancing (Click here for a good suggestion)
Fuel your body
It can be easy to indulge in unhealthy foods when you’re stuck at home and sometimes, treating yourself to cookies and pizza can be a good thing. However, It is important to try and eat a generally healthy and well-balanced diet to fuel your body and help boost your immune system. With businesses and restaurants being closed, eating at home is everyone’s go-to dining experience. If you’re sick of takeout, or want to help minimize exposure to other people during the pandemic, cooking at home can be a fun way to incorporate healthier foods into your current diet. Here are some simple recipes to inspire you:
- Taste of Home’s 50 Favorite Stay-at-Home Recipes
- Country Living’s 77 Best, Quick, Easy Dinner Ideas
- Food Network’s 50 Most-Popular Healthy Recipes
- Vegan Heaven’s 30 Healthy Vegan Recipes
- Pinch of Yum’s 15 Best Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
- Jamie Oliver’s Easy Healthy Recipes
Improve Sleep
To stay healthy and happy, getting enough sleep and good quality sleep is essential. The amount of sleep you need changes as you age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a chart from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society with the recommended hours of sleep per day based on age (Click to view). Here are habits to improve your sleep:
- Be consistent with your bed time and try to go to sleep early
- Turn off or remove electronics
- Avoid alcohol, eating large meals before bed, drinking caffeine and smoking
- Exercise or be physically active during the day
- Make sure your room is quiet, dark and relaxing
Stay Connected
Use technology to maintain social connections and relationships with family members and friends that don’t live with you. Regularly check-in with friends and family to get support and keep yourself busy. Here are some social media platforms and apps you can use to stay connected with people and share aspects of your life with others all around the world:
Learn a New Skill
Take your time and use your newly found free time to learn a new skill or take a course. Many platforms such as LinkedIn have made free learning courses and resources available for people to improve their skills and uncover new opportunities. Here are some of the free skill building resources available during the current crisis:
Treat Yourself
Take care of your hair, skin, and nails. Non-essential businesses might be closed, but you can still put on makeup, use a face mask, or give yourself a manicure to feel more confident. Simple things such as using body lotion or putting on cologne can give your mood a boost. Have a spa day at home, you deserve It.
Take part in Fun Activities
Keeping yourself occupied can get boring if you run out of ideas. Here are some fun things to do while you are at home:
- Games and puzzles
- Paint
- Read
- Watch a movie
- Virtual Tours (Click to view links for tours of 12 famous museums)
- Listen to music or make it
- Throw a Zoom or Skype party with friends
Most importantly, use this time to relax, reset, and refocus to ensure that you are healthy, happy, and fit during and after this pandemic. Share your self-care routines or ideas below.
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