The recent pandemic forced many people to adopt a much different lifestyle than they were used to. The government-mandated lockdowns, health protocols, closure of businesses, among other things, put people in a situation that they haven’t been before. To stay safe and healthy, people were made to isolate themselves at home to minimize exposure, which is a drastic change of lifestyle that caught many people flatfooted.
Now more than ever, making lifestyle changes would mean staying safe and healthy, not only for you but also for the people around you. Falling into bad habits and sliding into complacency is easy but the effect can be dangerous.
Below are a few lifestyle changes to stay safe and healthy:
1. Stay Active
Gyms might not be safe places to work out during a pandemic, but there are alternatives where you can get physical without violating government-mandated health protocols. For example, you can do aerobic exercises at home. You can do push-ups, jumping jacks, and other exercises, too. And, if you have pieces of gym equipment, like a treadmill or a few weights, don’t let them gather dust.
Another thing to remember is it’s okay to go for a run or a hike as long as your route or hiking path isn’t choked with other runners or hikers. Running and hiking outdoors are still deemed safe, provided they’re done in uncrowded areas.
Just remember that when going out, it’s important to wear protective clothing. There are online stores where you can order for these, so you don’t have to go out. If you’re a medical professional, stores like Keswi womens scrubs can provide clothing for you.
2. Get Enough Sleep
‘Get enough sleep’ is one of the most common pieces of advice you can hear from anybody–from your grandmother to your Uber driver. And with good reason.
Your body repairs itself during that time. Proteins like Cytokine that help fight inflammation, infection, and trauma are released by the body’s immune system while you’re asleep. Essentially, good things happen to you while you’re sleeping – your brain reboots, your body heals itself, and your energy is revitalized.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has made many people anxious and depressed, which affected their sleeping patterns. The employment situation, disrupted routines, drastic lifestyle changes, financial worries, health concerns – all these add to a person’s stress and can result in what some doctors call ‘coronasomnia’.
According to health professionals, adults should have at least seven hours of sleep every night. So, if you find yourself having sleep problems, try cutting back on alcohol or caffeine. If your lack of sleep is starting to be a concern, ask your doctor for advice. Lack of sleep can make you lethargic and affect your concentration.
3. Diet And Nutrition
A person’s diet and nutrition are also among those severely affected because of stress during these times. Unless diet changes for the better, staying healthy is going to be a struggle.
Green, leafy veggies, tomatoes, berries, spinach, and oily fish are some of the foods that can help boost a person’s immunity. Avoid stress-eating with unhealthy junk foods. Try to make a habit of eating healthy foods in the proper amount and at the proper time.
Stress, unfortunately, is one of the reasons why adults have unhealthy eating habits. With the pandemic, people’s stress and anxiety have understandably shot through the roof, with predictable results–adults who have resorted to overeating have increased by 47%. It can be difficult to avoid stress-eating unless the source of the stress is directly addressed.
But a person needs to recognize the risks of stress or emotional eating. Using food as an emotional crutch is temporary and does more harm than good. Acknowledging that could be a first step towards changing an unhealthy lifestyle and change for the better.
4. Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough water is easy to overlook during times like these. Perhaps you’re still adjusting to the disruptions in your work schedule and drastic lifestyle changes. Plus, you’re probably more concerned about your family’s health and safety, and keeping hydrated isn’t at the top of your list. But you also shouldn’t forget your own well-being.
‘Drink enough water’ may sound banal, but there’s a new reason why this advice shouldn’t be ignored. During lockdowns, a person could binge on junk foods that contain plenty of sugar. Consuming sugar in excess is linked to various metabolic diseases, like diabetes, obesity, and others.
Moreover, it could also result in the accumulation of uric acid. But staying hydrated may help prevent uric acid accumulation in the body. Drinking enough water also means you’d be doing your kidney a big favor. Not enough water means your kidney will work doubly hard. Keep in mind that your body is 60% water, so it’s essential to follow the recommendation of consuming about two liters of water daily.
5. Healthcare Maintenance
Just because there are other health concerns, it doesn’t mean that yours have to take a backseat. If you have a chronic condition and you have medications prescribed for your condition, make sure that you’re still taking them regularly.
Before the pandemic, your routine might’ve included regular visits to your doctor or pharmacist, but now that that lifestyle where you can go anywhere you like isn’t advisable anymore, you’d have to adopt a safer one. And yes, that includes how you purchase your medications as well as doctor consultations.
Luckily, technology has caught up; telemedicine is now a thing. You can consult with your medical professional using apps like Zoom and have your prescription filled online.
6. Coping With Stress
Stress can do a lot of damage to your physical and mental well-being. It can accelerate your body’s deterioration and makes your body vulnerable to plenty of health problems, like heart disease. Fear and anxiety during the pandemic are widespread, so the rise of stress-related conditions isn’t surprising. The lockdown and social distancing mandates are especially hard for people who had active social lives.
Adopting a lifestyle change could very well save not only your life but your loved ones, too. Social interactions, going out, and meeting friends have to be curtailed. Instead of an active social life, you’ll have to follow health protocols and other mandates relating to the pandemic. Your lifestyle would now include frequent handwashing, maintaining physical distance, protective clothing, respiratory etiquette, and overall cleanliness.
Mental health professionals also recommend establishing a morning routine. It could include a shower, exercise, and meditating. You could do these at the same time each day, so you’d have a routine to follow. You could also check on your family regularly. You may not be able to physically visit them, but you can always call or video chat.
Conclusion
Adopting a different lifestyle during the pandemic can save lives – yours and others. Anxiety and an uncertain future can add to the stress, which can make you vulnerable to diseases. Unless you adjust your lifestyle to adapt to the current reality, your health could be in jeopardy.
Follow health guidelines, wear protective clothing, and learn how to cope with stress are now the lifestyle that most people around the world have to adopt.
