The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life for everyone, while disrupting business as usual. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise, ensuring good sleep quality, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco has never been more challenging. And while everyone is trying the best they can, there are several things you can do to stay or even become more healthy during the pandemic. “Trust me, I’m a doctor,” says Jonathan G. Stine, MD MSc, FACP, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Public Health Sciences at Penn State University.
Ahmed Zayed, MD, an editor at calisthenics-gear.com added that the pandemic has restricted access to gyms, fitness parks, and other facilities that help us keep fit. Does this mean we have to sit in front of the TV and worry about fitness when the pandemic is over? No, it does not. Fitness is something we should continue focusing on.
Start with a healthy diet. While shops have restrictions in place and some people fear going to their local supermarket, there are convenient delivery services that bring groceries to your doorstep. Buy healthy foods to prepare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
In terms of fitness, there are a lot of different exercises that people can do at home. Get a pull-up bar that hooks to the doorframe (there are many cheap options available) and a pair of handheld weights. Then perform squats, jumping jacks, burpees, pull-ups, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises at home. Sure, the neighbors might be wondering why you’re jumping up and down in your house, but you’re the one who will benefit. These exercises help you maintain fitness and avoid gaining weight while you stay home.
Three Vital Pillars for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Mental Health
Those who suffer from mental health disorders prior to the pandemic will be hit the hardest by the uncertainty that is constantly held over our heads. It is important to pick up the phone everyday, and to socialize in ways that are safe and often for human connection amidst all the anxiety. Check on those who need you and practice self-care.
Physical Health
Now more than ever we are realizing that staying in peak physical shape can help boost your strength, immune system, and overall well being. Get your resistance training in at home with a TRX training system, invest in some dumbbells at home, grab a versatile piece of equipment like a chin up bar. As for your cardio? Running is FREE. Use hills to activate major leg muscles and burn more calories. If you are not a fan of exercising, you can use anti-aging peptides, you can read its GHK Cu review to learn more.
Nutrition
Getting enough vitamins and proper nutrition is essential to maintain your health during the pandemic. Vitamin D is critical especially during lockdowns. Vitamin C is essential for your immune system and for your body to function optimally. Protein is also something to make sure you are consuming with every meal. Protein feeds your muscles and helps maintain your muscle tissue. Having muscle tissue is a vital part of staying fit as the more muscle you have on your frame, the more calories you burn at rest. This will help you keep extra pounds off, notes Erica Olivia, owner of The Healthy Girl Hustle.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is all about routine and rituals, says Elena Ognivtseva, a Fitness, Health and Nutrition Expert from JustCBD. In order to stick with a healthy routine you need to have specific health rituals that you perform everyday. For example upon waking you may make you bed to get you in the right frame of mind for the day. Making your bed is what’s known as a keystone habit. It’s the first task of your day and by doing it you have already achieved something that day.
This gets you in the right frame of mind to achieve more goals that day. You can then follow that up with drinking a glass of warm water and lemon to kick start your digestive system. Try to move your body everyday even if it’s just going for a 20 minute walk in the fresh air. Aim for 10,000 steps per day. Once you have your set health rituals that work for you and your lifestyle make time to do them everyday.
Lastly, Kevin Daly, a Marketing Manager of Zevo Health shares that we should stay connected by using technology like video calls, phone calls, and emails. Talk with loved ones to reduce anxiety and eliminate the feeling of isolation. It’s helpful for every one of us to know that we are not alone especially during these times of stress and uncertainty.